ROCKINGHAM — Gov. Roy Cooper’s proposed budget would allocate significant funds to The Rock Speedway and Entertainment Complex, Richmond County Schools (RCS) and Richmond Community College (RCC), as well as to surrounding counties.

In the proposal, The Rock would receive $8 million to fund infrastructure improvements to help make it a “world-class venue,” while RCS would receive $18,405,869 and RCC would receive $4,491,480. The funds are part of the Invest NC Bond proposal, a two-year spending plan that would raise teacher pay by an average 9.1 percent and allow voters to decide whether to invest in a statewide bond for the school funds for construction and renovation.

For The Rock, the funds would go toward wastewater and water extension, a pedestrian bridge, repaving the speedway, upgrades to the speedway facilities and dragway, bathrooms and grandstand repairs and erosion control, according to a summary provided to the Daily Journal. These funds would require $1 in non-state funds for every $3 of state funds.

County Manager Bryan Land said the matching non-state funds could come from a variety of sources but nothing will be set in stone until the state budget is approved. Land said he was “ecstatic” to see the funds allocated to The Rock in the proposal.

“It just reiterates the statement that I have been making for many years. The speedway and the dragway are not only tremendous assets for Richmond County but are as well for the whole region,” Land said in an email. “Obviously, Governor Cooper feels the same way about rural North Carolina as I do personally from the commitment of the amount of funding he is willing to invest in Richmond County.”

With the funds pending legislative approval, Land said he hopes elected officials will “keep The Rock rolling!!”

Cooper said a bond is the “smartest” way to invest in school construction, renovation and other critical needs because it doesn’t create cuts elsewhere.

“With a school bond, we’ll get hammers swinging all across the state,” Cooper said.

The bond would allocate $12,976,867 to Montgomery County Schools and $17,463,902 to Stanly County Schools. Montgomery Community College would receive $2,916,279 and Stanly Community College would receive $4,115,667 if the proposed spending plan is approved by the House and Senate.

Rep. Ken Goodman lauded the budget and Invest NC Bond proposals in a statement Thursday.

“Governor Cooper’s budget invests in our community and ensures that our schools and economy succeed in every corner of the state,” Goodman said. “I am particularly pleased he supports $8 million for the Rock Speedway and Entertainment Complex, $166,000 for an all-inclusive park in Troy, and $500,000 for a tourism and marketing study in Albemarle. These much needed projects will help local businesses, tourism, and create local jobs.”

Goodman continued, “As the budget process moves forward, I appreciate Governor Cooper’s leadership to provide opportunity to every student in North Carolina and his effort to help us grow local jobs in Richmond, Montgomery, and Stanly counties.”

File photo The Rock Speedway and Entertainment Complex, Richmond County Schools and Richmond Community College could receive millions in state funds in the Invest NC Bond.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_speedway-2.jpgFile photo The Rock Speedway and Entertainment Complex, Richmond County Schools and Richmond Community College could receive millions in state funds in the Invest NC Bond.
Governor proposes millions for Richmond County

By Gavin Stone

Staff Writer

Reach Gavin Stone at 910-817-2674 or [email protected].