The University of North Carolina System

“The bond construction program underway in the UNC system is a bright light in still often dark times for the construction industry in North Carolina. Its positive impact also is having a ripple effect across the state.” Steve Gennett, President and CEO of Carolina’s Associated General Contractors (AGC)

Nearly eight years ago, the people of North Carolina made the decision to help secure their state’s future when they approved the $3.1 Billion 2000 Higher Education Bond Program. This initiative garnered sweeping bipartisan support from education, government, and business leaders across the state. The referendum passed statewide in all 100 counties by a 73 percent margin. The impact of this investment has been startling.

What was at stake?

16 Universities
3 University affiliates
59 community colleges
183,000 University students enrolled statewide
800,000 community college students enrolled statewide
$3.1 billion in capital investments

Thanks to the Higher Education Bond Program, this program has had an astonishing impact on the quality of education delivered and on the state’s economy.

The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that over the life of the University of North Carolina bond program, this capital investment will generate about 88,000 jobs. 7

University of North Carolina Progress to Date:

316 total projects
86 in design
154 under construction
41 completed

North Carolina Community College Progress to Date:

31 projects completed
$134,011,080 expended
$425,426,724 approved for future projects

This bond program helped prepare the workers of tomorrow while creating more than 33,000 jobs in critical areas of academic and economic growth. This includes the fields of:

Biotechnology
Computer technology
Engineering
Nanotechnology
Pharmaceuticals
Genetics, proteomics, and bioinformatics
Environmental sciences
Materials science
Optoelectronics
Teaching
Life sciences
Nursing
Allied health

Even with this track record, there are many projects currently awaiting funding in North Carolina, many of which are shovel-ready. All of them would have an immediate and long-term impact on North Carolina’s economy.

7 SELIG CENTER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH. “THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF GEORGIA INSTITUTIONS ON THEIR REGIONAL ECONOMIES IN FY 2004.” JANUARY 2005.

Take Action Now

The “ask” of this site is a simple one: establish a new $50 billion education investment fund in teaching and research facilities for colleges and universities. The result would be the creation of more than 1 million immediate jobs that will support the education and betterment of hundreds of thousands of Americans, while also stimulating our economy for years to come. Take Action Now