JUNE 29, 2001

State Government News

Agencies sign memorandum of understanding
State Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett and state Environment and Natural Resources Secretary William Ross signed an agreement signifying a shared responsibility to meet the state's transportation needs while protecting the state's environment. The agreement outlines specific efforts that will attempt to strengthen the relationship between the two agencies. DENR has agreed to help DOT minimize impacts of highway construction by providing DOT with more information about critical land conservation areas. DOT has agreed to involve DENR earlier in the environmental planning stages for transportation improvements to help avoid delays in the permitting process.

In response to Gov. Easley's charge to both agencies to focus on improving water quality in the state's 17 river basins, DOT and DENR agreed to regularly measure progress toward meeting this objective.

"True to the spirit of Gov. Easley's One North Carolina, this agreement acknowledges that both DOT and DENR's first responsibility is to the citizens of North Carolina," said Secretary Tippett. "This agreement lays a solid foundation for expanded cooperation by allowing us to combine our efforts to minimize impacts to the environment, and at the same time, move forward with much needed transportation improvements."

"Leadership and staff in DOT and DENR are committed to improving the working relationship between our two agencies, and we have made significant progress in such areas as wetlands protection and sedimentation and erosion control," Secretary Ross said. "Our agencies share the common goal of making sure North Carolina's transportation system is built and maintained in an environmentally-friendly manner."

The agreement also calls for both agencies to work together on a comprehensive assessment of the transportation permitting process and to identify opportunities to improve this process. In addition, DOT and DENR will develop one- and three-year work plans with specific timelines and measurable results.


Internet filing of unemployment benefits approved
Individuals residing in North Carolina, or one of its border states, now have the option of filing for unemployment insurance benefits through the Internet, said Raymond W. Goodman Jr., chairman of the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina (ESC). In addition, individuals who just want to register for work with the Employment Security Commission, regardless of their state of residency, may do so through the Internet.

"We are very pleased to offer our customers the convenience of filing unemployment insurance claims or registering for work without first having to visit an ESC local office," said Goodman. "With the current state unemployment rate - 5.2 percent - at its highest level since 1993, more people are coming to ESC offices seeking unemployment insurance services. This product now offers them the alternative of filing or registering online rather than in line, thus decreasing the number of visits individuals will have to make to a local office."

By allowing ESC customers this self-service option, ESC staff will have more time to concentrate on employment services and resolve claims-related issues. Also, many North Carolina employers are embracing this style of filing claims for their employees.

"Employers who are involved in layoffs and downsizings have requested ESC staff to meet with their employees and explain the online work registration and claims filing option," Goodman said. "Many like the idea because they want to accommodate their employees as best they can."

Individuals wanting to use this option can access the online work registration and claims filing system through ESC’s web site at: http://www.esc.state.nc.us. On the ESC homepage, users should click on "Individual Services." Under "New for Individuals," they should choose the option "Registering for Work/Applying for Unemployment Benefits."


Plant producing fiber for bullet-proof vests locates in Greenville
DSM High Performance Fibers will locate its first U. S. facility in Greenville, a $4.2 million investment that will create 20 jobs, State Commerce Secretary Jim Fain announced Thursday. The Dyneema Uni Directional (UD) plant, the first such facility in the United States, will produce a strong fiber used in bullet resistant clothing, vehicle armoring and other specialized applications. The fiber, which is 15 times stronger than steel, is also used in high-performance sails, marine ropes, fishing lines, fishing nets, cables, safety gloves and protective clothing. The new facility will be located on the site of DSM Catalytica Pharmaceuticals, a DSM company.

"We are very pleased that our colleagues at DSM High Performance Fibers are joining us at the Greenville site," said Michael Thomas, president of DSM Catalytica Pharmaceuticals. "Since we have been part of the DSM family for less than a year, we are particularly proud that DSM High Performance Fibers has decided to build their first U.S. plant at our site."

DSM, based in the Netherlands, purchased Catalytical Pharmaceuticals in December. The new high-performance fibers facility will have the capacity to produce 400 to 600 tons of fiber per year. The facility will be located in the Greenville Industrial Park and expects to be fully operational by late 2001. In choosing the facility, DSM worked with the N.C. Department of Commerce, as well as John Chaffee and the Pitt County Development Commission.

As a manufacturing facility, the company will be eligible to receive investment, job-creation and worker-training tax credits under the William S. Lee Quality Jobs and Expansion Act.

Unemployment rates rise in 49 counties
Layoffs, many in the textile industry, in North Carolina have caused unemployment rates to surge in almost half of the state’s counties. The Employment Security Commission reported that unemployment rates rose in 49 counties in May, fell in 45 and were unchanged in the remaining six counties. The highest rate was in Vance County (11.6 percent).  Watauga County had the lowest (1.5 percent). The unemployment report came as the American Textile Manufacturers Institute, representing more than 200 manufacturers and suppliers, began lobbying Congress and the White House to get tough on foreign competition. Companies in North Carolina have slashed at least 4,700 textile and apparel jobs this year. Many of those companies told the ESC they blame foreign competitors. Cong. Howard Coble (R-6th) is trying to revive the Congressional Textile Caucus. Guilford Mills Chairman Chuck Hayes, president of the trade group, met two weeks ago with several congressional members and their staffs to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, Abbott Laboratories said it will close a Laurinburg manufacturing plant that employs about 900 people, citing economic reasons. The plant, which will close by next June, makes components for medical devices, such as anesthesia kits and trays and specialty IV sets. The company plans to continue operations at its Rocky Mount manufacturing plant. The two facilities currently employ 3,000 people.

And Freightliner said it will lay off 475 workers effective July 6 at its Mount Holly plant because of the economic slowdown. The Portland, Ore.-based company blamed the move on difficult market conditions in the North American truck-manufacturing industry. The Mount Holly plant builds medium- and heavy-duty trucks used for delivery, construction, towing and recovery.


DOT warns of detours, road work over Fourth of July holiday
The N.C. Department of Transportation is urging motorists to drive safely during the July Fourth holiday. Most work zones on interstate and U.S. routes across the state will be open during the July Fourth holiday, which extends from Tuesday, July 3, to Thursday, July 5. While planning your holiday trip, watch for lane closings and/or detours in the following areas:

Interstate Routes

I-26 in Polk County is reduced to one lane in each direction from mile marker 38 to 40. The reduction is necessary to continue rehabilitating two bridges over the Pacolet River, west of the South Carolina state line.

I-40 Business/U.S. 421 in Forsyth County is reduced to one lane in each direction from the I-40/U.S. 421 split to Stratford Road (U.S. 158) to continue improving I-40 Business/U.S. 421.

U.S. Routes
U.S. 64 in Clay County periodically will be reduced to one lane east of the Hiwassee River Bridge, near Hayesville, to continue widening the roadway. Flaggers will direct motorists through the lane reduction.