news-record.com

RALEIGH — The Council of State fast-tracked the sale of $744.15 million in bonds in a meeting today. The bonds will help pay for new projects and renovations at state institutions, including UNCG and N.C. A&T.

The Council, made up of the governor and other state-wide elected officials, voted to speed up sale of the bonds, which was already approved by the legislature. According to Gov. Mike Easley's office, about $65 million will be issued this spring, another $258 million will come in the fall and the rest will follow in later years.

Members of the council, including the governor, said it was important to begin new construction projects in order to generate jobs and stimulate the state's economy.

Among the projects funded by the bonds:

* $42.7 million to UNCG for an academic classroom and office building

* $20.5 million to N.C. A&T for a general classroom instructional facility and another $2.4 million for horse barns and the Upper Piedmont Research Station

* $12.9 million to UNC School of the Arts for a film school production design facility and another $11.1 million for a central storage facility

* $10 million to the UNC General Administration for land acquisition

Contact Joe Killian at 883-4422, Ext. 228, or joe.killian@news-record.com