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Miscellany

Land (and jobs) for tomorrow

By Abdul Rasheed

It’s encouraging to see the positive attention generated by a proposal in the General Assembly that could lead to the most important environmental initiative in the history of our state. Those of us involved with the project call it “Land for Tomorrow.” Others refer to it as the land-use plan in House Bill 990 and Senate Bill 1522, both introduced a few weeks ago with broad support from Democrats and Republicans alike.

That’s precisely the kind of support this measure deserves. The plan calls for a statewide bond referendum to spend $1 billion during the next five years to protect North Carolina’s most precious natural resources. Why so much? Well, there’s a lot at stake. North Carolina is very rapidly losing farmland and other natural resources that have helped make our state such a spectacular place to live and work. The Land for Tomorrow proposal would help reverse this trend. Whether you consider yourself a greener-than-green environmentalist, a business-savvy bottom-liner or just a concerned North Carolinian, this proposal deserves your attention. In a nutshell, here’s what it would do if approved:

Most of the money would be placed in land and water trust funds the General Assembly set aside in the 1980s and 1990s. Resources from those funds are used to protect drinking and recreational waters, to establish state parks, to fund local recreation projects and to preserve other natural areas and historical places. Roughly $200 million of the bond money would go toward protecting prime agricultural and forest lands. In 2005, our state lost 1,000 farms. Forestry acreage is at its lowest point in years. According to a Land for Tomorrow report, more than 100,000 acres of North Carolina land are developed each year. North Carolina has one of the nation’s fastest-growing populations, and more than 3,300 miles of the state’s streams and rivers don’t meet water-quality standards.

Addressing these issues will be good for all our citizens. Finally, that reality is beginning to sink in across the state — not only within the land-protection and natural resources community, but in the General Assembly and the state’s boardrooms as well. To witness this support in the legislature is heartening. But it’s just as gratifying to see support growing within the state’s business community. North Carolina’s forward-looking corporate leaders are starting to realize this so-called environmental movement makes good business sense too. These leaders now understand that protecting our natural resources is an investment in our economy and future. That’s fortunate, because we probably couldn’t make this happen without their help.

If you love North Carolina, it should be hard to argue with any of this. But if you’re still not convinced, consider the “Landing Jobs” aspect of the project. Landing Jobs would represent about $150 million during the five years of total funding. The idea is to create and retain jobs — along with other economic and community development initiatives — while promoting land conservation, historic preservation and parks and recreation. We would help diversify and build economic sectors based on the sustainable use of natural and cultural resources.

The nonprofit organization I am proud to represent, the N.C. Community Development Initiative (www.ncinitiative.org), would manage the program by doing what we do best: by awarding grants and loans to qualified recipients. These recipients will be expected to create jobs and business opportunities while supporting our natural and cultural resources.

Under the terms of the proposal, Landing Jobs is a small piece of a bigger picture.

Nonetheless, it will be a challenge. But our group has built a national reputation by overseeing similarly ambitious and creative projects for nearly 15 years. Each year, we act as a conduit for millions of dollars being pumped into communities from one end of the state to the other. We don’t simply hand out money. We insist on financial accountability. We support groups we believe can make a difference — groups we hope can sustain themselves someday. Playing such a role with Land for Tomorrow (www.landfortomorrow.org) would be an honor.

North Carolina remains a jewel in a nation of riches. Of course, that’s not a secret these days — as our growth suggests. But our great state will not continue to flourish if we let our natural resources slip away. Can you help keep that from happening? Absolutely. Let your elected officials know how important this proposal is. Let the business leaders in your community know too. And when the time comes to support this initiative at the polls, be sure to do your part by voting. Come to think about it, $1 billion really isn’t such a high price.

At least when you consider the future of our state may rest in the balance.

Abdul Rasheed is CEO of the North Carolina Community Development Initiative in Raleigh.