2009 North Carolina Code
Chapter 158 - Local Development.
§ 158-8.3. Creation of Southeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission.

§ 158‑8.3.  Creation of Southeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission.

(a)        There is created the Southeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission to serve Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Hoke, New Hanover, Pender, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, and Scotland Counties, and any other county assigned to the Commission by the Department of Commerce as authorized by law. The Commission shall be located administratively in the Department of Commerce but shall exercise its statutory powers and duties independently of the Department of Commerce. Funds appropriated for the Commission by the General Assembly shall be disbursed directly to the Commission at the beginning of each fiscal year.

(b)        The Commission shall consist of 15 members appointed as follows:

(1)        Three members shall be appointed by the Governor;

(2)        Two members shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(3)        Five members shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121; and

(4)        Five members shall be appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121.

(c)        The appointing authority shall designate two of the initial appointees pursuant to subdivision (b)(1) of this section, one of the initial appointees pursuant to subdivision (b)(2) of this section, two of the initial appointees pursuant to subdivision (b)(3) of this section, and two of the initial appointees pursuant to subdivision (b)(4) of this section to serve for terms ending June 30, 1995; the remainder of the initial appointees shall serve for terms ending June 30, 1997. Their successors shall serve for four‑year terms ending on June 30 quadrennially thereafter.

Any appointment to fill a vacancy on the Commission shall be for the balance of the unexpired term. Vacancies in appointments made by the General Assembly shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 120‑122.

(c1)      The initial meeting shall be called by the Secretary of the Department of Commerce.

(d)        Members of the Commission who are State employees shall receive travel expenses as provided in G.S. 138‑6. Other Commission members shall receive per diem of one hundred dollars ($100.00) a day for each day of service when the Commission meets and shall be reimbursed for travel and subsistence as provided in G.S. 138‑5. The Commission may adopt policies authorizing additional per diem of one hundred dollars ($100.00) a day for non‑State employee members' additional days of service including Commission subcommittee meetings or other Commission activities, plus reimbursement for related travel and subsistence as provided in G.S. 138‑5.

(e)        In addition to the powers and duties granted to economic development commissions in this Article, the Southeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission shall:

(1)        Survey southeastern North Carolina and determine the assets, liabilities, and resources that the region contributes to the economic development process;

(2)        Develop and evaluate alternatives for southeastern North Carolina economic development;

(3)        Develop a preferred economic development plan for the region and establish strategies for implementing the plan; and

(4)        Coordinate activities with and enter into contracts with any nonprofit corporation created to assist the Commission in carrying out its powers and duties.

(5)        Repealed by Session Laws 1999‑237, s. 16.5(c).

(f)         Within the limits of funds available, the Commission may hire and fix the compensation of any personnel necessary to its operations, contract with consultants for any services as it may require, and contract with the State of North Carolina or the federal government, or any agency or department thereof, for any services as may be provided by those agencies. With the approval of any unit of local government, the Commission may contract to use officers, employees, agents, and facilities of the unit of local government. The Commission may carry out the provisions of any contracts it may enter.

Within the limits of funds available, the Commission may lease, rent, purchase, or otherwise obtain suitable quarters and office space for its staff, and may lease, rent, or purchase necessary furniture, fixtures, and other equipment. (1993, c. 321, s. 309.2(a); c. 561, s. 17(c); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 769, ss. 28.7(m), 28.8(e), 28.8(f); 1995, c. 509, ss. 110, 111; 1997‑155, s. 1; 1999‑237, s. 16.5(c).)