March 11. A group called NC Against the Bond says that North Carolina’s universities and community colleges have provided “Connect NC” contributions proportional to the funding they would receive from the bond if it passes in the March 15 election. The money is being spent to help promote passage of the bond package, which originally included funds for transportation improvements statewide.

The Connect NC package was controversial when first proposed by Gov. Pat McCrory because it excluded funding for improvements to I-77 in Lake Norman.

A source at Central Piedmont Community College said the $2 billion bond package includes $350 million for a total of 58 community colleges in North Carolina. If it passes, CPCC gets $9.6 million which would be used for a second energy plant on the central campus, the purchase of adjacent property at the central campus and for a large truck training facility at the Merancas Campus in Huntersville.

All state colleges and universities were asked to contribute to the campaign by tapping into their non-state dollars. No state monies were spent at CPCC, the official said, but CPCC’s foundation did contribute.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College would receive $7.2 million to upgrade facilities and expand the College’s Fire & Emergency Services Training Facility. Similarly at Rowan-Cabarrus, no state monies were spent, the official said, but the Rowan-Cabarrus foundation did contribute to the bond effort. Additionally, the Rowan-Cabarrus Student Government Association contributed to the local effort to support the college receiving the $7.2 million.

NC Against the Bond cited these campaign contributions:

• NC State University $160,000
• UNC Pembroke $23,000
• UNC Greensboro $105,000
• UNC Chapel Hill $34,000
• UNC Charlotte $90,000
• UNC Wilmington $66,000
• Western Carolina $110,000
• NC Association of Realtors, $100,000
• NC Chamber $35,000
• Farm Bureau $50,000
• LS3P Associates $10,000
• O’Brien Adkins engineering $10,000
• Ratio Design $10,000
• Gilbane Building $10,000 check