Surry Business

Millions of dollars in the 2007-09 state budget will go toward economic and community development. Some of the appropriations may have an impact in Surry County. Here’s a partial list:

• Matching funds for clean drinking water revolving funds: $9.4 million.
• Additional state travel and tourism division funds: $750,000.
• Promote Blue Ridge Parkway: $450,000.
• Promote state’s grape-growing industry: $500,000.
• One North Carolina Fund for economic development: $14 million.
• One North Carolina Small Business Fund for economic development: $4.8 million.
• Support Defense and Security Technology Accelerator, a business incubator to boost economic development in homeland security and defense industries: $1.5 million.
• Increase funding for N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development: $1.5 million.
• N.C. Community Development Initiative: $3 million.
• N.C. Minority Support Center: $3 million.
• Create incentives for broadband in rural areas, distribute funds for cable access channels through e-NC authority: $4 million.
• Expand N.C. Rural Economic Development Center Economic Infrastructure Fund and establish Rural Economic Transition Program: $19 million.
• N.C. Rural Economic Development Center funds for water and sewer system grants to local governments: $100 million.