U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., hosted a federal economic and community development forum Thursday, May 5 in McKinnon Hall. The event attracted more than 150 government officials from municipalities in central North Carolina. Details...
Dole’s office hosts forums periodically to update local leaders on federal programs, grants and low-interest loans available to cities and counties to build infrastructure and promote economic development.
“As local leaders, you are the backbone of our community,” Dole told the group. “You’re doing so much to make our communities better places to live and work for North Carolinians.”
Elon President Leo M. Lambert welcomed participants to campus and said the university is proud to make a positive contribution to the regional economy, citing a recent study.
“Elon’s economic impact in the local four-county region is approximately $240 million annually,” Lambert said. “We currently have $40 million worth of construction under way, and in the last ten years, Elon construction projects have totaled more than $100 million.” Lambert also noted that the state’s economy benefits from the 55 percent of Elon students who remain in North Carolina after graduation.
Following the opening sessions, participants attended smaller breakout discussions moderated by officials from several federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and Department of Housing and Urban Development.