AN ACT to appropriate funds for various improvement projects in Mecklenburg county's steele creek community.

Whereas, Steele Creek is a community located in southwest Mecklenburg County along Lake Wylie and the Catawba River Basin; and

Whereas, over the past 15 years Steele Creek has seen a rapid growth of its population by over 70%; and

Whereas, the 28278 zip code is one of the fastest growing zip codes in the State of North Carolina; and

Whereas, the jobs and resources in Steele Creek serve the entire region, including Gaston County and South Carolina; and

Whereas, many residents of Steele Creek live in unincorporated areas, unable to take advantage of municipal services; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management the sum of eight hundred thirty‑four thousand dollars ($834,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2023‑2024 fiscal year to provide a directed grant to Steele Creek Community Place, Inc., a nonprofit organization, to support an initiative to connect opportunities and resources with the needs of all people of all backgrounds in the Steele Creek area to increase community health and inclusion. These funds shall be allocated equally among the following focus areas: (i) upward mobility and networking, (ii) physical wellness, (iii) family partnership, and (iv) mental health.

SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management the sum of four million dollars ($4,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2023‑2024 fiscal year to provide a directed grant to the Steele Creek Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Inc., a nonprofit organization, to support the needs of the fire department, including the purchase of a self‑contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), a ladder truck, a fire/rescue boat along with a boathouse for said fire boat, and real property/building for training.

SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the North Carolina Department of Transportation the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2023‑2024 fiscal year for a comprehensive traffic study of traffic patterns and potential changes to Shopton Road West from South Tryon to Highway 160.

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2023.