RALEIGH - Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that the N.C. Office of Economic Recovery and Investment (OERI) will hold a series of workshops across the state to provide information and guidance to local municipalities, businesses and interested citizens on how the federal recovery funds will be administered. The first workshop is scheduled for April 28 at 1:30 p.m. in Winston-Salem State University’s Dillard Auditorium.
Workshop attendees will have an opportunity to hear from representatives of state and federal agencies administering the recovery funds. These representatives will discuss the current status of funds in their agencies, detail upcoming opportunities and explain the mechanisms for participation in the process.
“North Carolina is set to receive more than $8 billion in federal recovery money, and I intend for our state to not only be prepared to use this money to put our people back to work, but also to spend the money with the utmost accountability and transparency,” said Gov. Perdue. “These workshops will build the bridges between state, local and county governments and anyone else interested in utilizing recovery funds – to ensure this money is used to benefit all of North Carolina and our people.”
OERI Director Dempsey Benton will lead the workshops. “The economic recovery funds are purpose-driven, rather than place-driven,” he said. “It’s important that attendees understand the funded programs so that they may actively participate. It’s also important for participants to understand the expectations for efficiency, transparency and accountability in the investment of funds.”
The OERI Web site www.NCRecovery.gov details the role of the N.C. Office of Economic Recovery and Investment as the official coordinator, monitor and clearinghouse for federal economic recovery funds designated for the state. Workshop details are available at the site.
Additional workshops will be held in Asheville, Charlotte, Greenville, Raleigh and Wilmington in the next few weeks. Details will be announced soon.