Thank you for joining us.
Today is an eventful day for the department and it's particularly meaningful for me.
As a native of a small town in Johnston County, I have always been a champion of our rural areas.
Rural North Carolina has played an important role in our state and our nation's heritage-these areas have been the scene of important historic events, they offer some of the most beautiful countryside in the world and they have nurtured many noted leaders.
Yes, it is true that these areas have yielded some of the state's most industrious people-and among them are our farmers, who still feed our citizens.
In fact, it was the farm roads that helped build our state by MOVING GOODS to the MARKETPLACE.
There's no reason why our farm roads shouldn't continue this tradition and become the spokes in the economic development wheel.
Based on the vibrant history of our rural regions, I know that their potential is unlimited.
That's why, throughout my association with the Department, first as a Board member for this area for eight years and now, as Secretary, I have been committed to helping build a strong future for these areas.
One of my top priorities has been to help boost rural economic development by EXPANDING TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.
With this aim, we have been working on the development of rural transportation planning organizations-or RPOs-across the state.
RPOs are voluntary organizations composed of local elected officials and local transportation system representatives that will serve in an advisory role for the department.
They will help the department develop long-range local and regional multi-modal transportation plans.
RPOs will also develop and prioritize suggestions for transportation projects to be included in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Today we announce the formation of the state's first RPO-the Mid-Carolina RPO, representing the counties of Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett and Sampson.
In every way, the Mid-Carolina RPO is true to the spirit of Governor Easley's One North Carolina.
This organization will give leaders in rural areas the opportunity to take the lead in planning local transportation and to help shape the future of their regions.
For the citizens, the Mid-Carolina RPO will improve quality of life by providing more local public involvement opportunities in the transportation decision-making process.
More efficient transportation planning in our rural regions will improve economic development across the state, therefore benefiting all North Carolinians.
Because this effort is a true partnership between this region and the state, I'd like to ask the following partners to join me at the podium.
(BRISSON, BLACKWELL, ANDREWS AND BLANTON JOIN YOU AT THE PODIUM.)
At this time, I will present to you a framed copy of the official charter for the Mid-Carolina RPO.
(PRESENT FRAMED CHARTER TO THE GROUP. JOHN BLANTON WILL ACCEPT THE CHARTER ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP.)
John, would you like to give a response?
(BLANTON GIVES RESPONSE. YOU RETURN TO PODIUM.)
Thank you.
It's very important that we as leaders do all we can to help the Mid-Carolina RPO thrive.
In this spirit, I'll call on Mayor Edwin Deaver of Hope Mills to speak.
Mayor Deaver is also Chairman of the Mid-Carolina Council of Government which serves as sponsor of this new organization and Chair of the Fayetteville MPO Transportation Advisory Committee.
(DEAVER MAKES REMARKS. FOLLOWING HIS REMARKS, YOU RETURN TO PODIUM.)
Thank you.
I'd also like to recognize Mac Campbell and Lanny Wilson, this area's Board of Transportation members for their help in making this event happen.
Mac and Lanny-please stand.
(CAMPBELL AND WILSON STAND. YOU LEAD APPLAUSE.)
Thank you.
Another important person is Billy Ray Hall, President of the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center.
Although he couldn't be here today, I would like to thank Billy for his support.
The Rural Economic Development Center has been instrumental in the formation of our RPOs, with a commitment to provide 25% of the local matching funds for up to $5,000 each.
The support of our MPOs is also very important to the success of our RPOs.
Rick Heicksen is Section Chief of the Fayetteville MPO and coordinator for the MPO Conference.
Rick, I'd like to thank you for allowing us to make this announcement during the MPO conference-will you please stand?
(HEICKSEN STANDS. LEAD APPLAUSE.)
Thank you.
And finally, I'd like to recognize Roger Sheats.
As all of you know, Roger is the department's first Deputy Secretary for the Environment and Local Government Affairs.
This position has been a great match for Roger's skills and a real bonus for the department.
Roger shares my commitment to strengthening rural North Carolina and he assures me that this event is just the first of what we plan to be many announcements as other RPOs are formed across the state.
Roger, please stand.
(SHEATS STANDS. LEAD APPLAUSE.)
Today's announcement is a victory we all share.
Thank you for helping us lead the way.
(THIS CONCLUDES THE ANNOUNCEMENT.)