State News

Perdue seeks more fed funding in D.C. visit

Gov. Beverly Perdue is making a quick trip to Washington in her hunt for federal dollars that could improve the state's jobs picture.

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Governor Bev Perdue
RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Beverly Perdue is making a quick trip to Washington in her hunt for federal dollars that could improve the state's jobs picture.

Perdue planned to follow a morning of meetings in Raleigh on Monday with a trip to the nation's capital. She planned to meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to talk about using federal stimulus money to extend the reach of broadband Internet service to rural areas.

Perdue spokesman David Kochman said she's hoping to position the state to collect more recovery dollars.

Kochman said Perdue will next meet with defense industry executives at a Washington conference, where she will highlight North Carolina's strength and potential for defense businesses.

Perdue has traveled the East Coast in the past week, pressing for federal money and selling North Carolina as a good place to do business.

She spent two days in New York City last week, urging companies to set up shop or expand existing operations in North Carolina.

Then, she pushed the state's case for stimulus dollars at the Democratic Governors Association meeting, part of which President Barack Obama attended. Last Thursday, Kochman she hoped to get stimulus funds to replace the Yadkin River Bridge on Interstate 85.

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