Vehicle Project Seeks $18 Million Jump Start From Taxpayers

Public sources have sunk $17 million into struggling northeastern center

By Don Carrington
March 04, 2009

RALEIGH — Supporters of a struggling state-funded vehicle research center in Northampton County are seeking an additional $18.2 million from state taxpayers. Since the center’s inception in 2005, the General Assembly and other public sources have committed $17 million to the project. 

Rep. Michael Wray, D-Northampton, introduced a bill Feb. 12 that would send another $18.2 mi llion to the project over the next two fiscal years. The bill designates $1.9 million for operating costs and the remainder for continued construction costs. State Sen. Ed Jones, D–Halifax, introduced an identical bill in the Senate.

The project, N.C. Center for Automotive Research (NCCAR), was known until April 2007 as the N.C. Advanced Vehicle Research Center. NCCAR is organized as a nonprofit, and Northampton County Economic Development Director Gary Brown serves as president.

“NCCAR plans to be an independent, non-profit center devised to meet the ever-evolving product research, testing and development demands of the automotive industry,” according to its Web site. The 625-acre site, just off Interstate 95 outside Roanoke Rapids, is to include a 4.6-mile test track, advanced laboratory, and client garages. 

http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=2553

*SIDENOTE – I  know this is a bit late, but its a good read from the John Locke Foundation. *