§ 158-8.2. Creation of North Carolina's Northeast Commission.
§ 158‑8.2. Creation ofNorth Carolina's Northeast Commission.
(a) There is createdthe North Carolina's Northeast Commission to facilitate economic development inBeaufort, Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Halifax, Hertford,Hyde, Martin, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and WashingtonCounties, and any other county assigned to the Commission by the Department ofCommerce as authorized by law. The Commission shall be located administrativelyin the Department of Commerce but shall exercise its statutory powers andduties independently of the Department of Commerce. Funds appropriated for theCommission by the General Assembly shall be disbursed directly to theCommission at the beginning of each fiscal year.
(b) The Commission shallconsist of 18 appointed members and one ex officio member, as provided below.Each appointed member shall be an experienced business person who resides formost of the year in one or more of the counties that are members of theCommission.
(1) Six members shall beappointed by the Governor.
(2) Six members shall beappointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President ProTempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121.
(3) Six members shall beappointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of theHouse of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121.
(4) The Secretary ofCommerce, or a designee.
(5) Repealed by SessionLaws 1999‑237, s. 16.6(a).
Any person appointed to theCommission who is also a county commissioner may hold that office in additionto the offices permitted by G.S. 128‑1.1. The appointing authorities areencouraged to discuss and coordinate their appointments in an effort to ensureas many counties served by the Commission are represented among the membershipof the Commission.
(c) All members shallserve staggered two‑year terms ending on June 30 biennially.
(d) Any appointment tofill a vacancy on the Commission shall be for the balance of the unexpiredterm. Vacancies in appointments made by the General Assembly shall be inaccordance with G.S. 120‑122.
(d1) The initial meetingshall be called by the Secretary of the Department of Commerce. The Commissionshall meet no less than quarterly.
(e) The Commissionshall elect annually from among its membership a four‑member executivecommittee consisting of a chair, a vice‑chair, a secretary, and atreasurer. Members shall serve one‑year terms on the executive committee.The executive committee shall meet no less than quarterly.
(f) In addition to thepowers and duties granted to economic development commissions in this Article,the North Carolina's Northeast Commission shall:
(1) Adopt and implementan economic development program, with the assistance of the economicdevelopment advisory board, as follows:
a. Survey northeasternNorth Carolina and determine the assets, liabilities, and resources that theregion contributes to the economic development process;
b. Enhance economicdevelopment activities that use the area's natural resources;
c. Develop and evaluatealternatives for northeastern North Carolina economic development;
d. Develop a preferredeconomic development plan for the region and establish strategies forimplementing the plan;
e. Conduct feasibilitystudies to determine the nature and placement of economic developments formaximum economic impact;
f. Identify potentialsites for economic development; and
g. Carry out otheractivities to develop and promote economic development.
(2) Repealed by SessionLaws 1999‑237, s. 16.6(a).
(3) Coordinateactivities with and enter into contracts with any nonprofit corporation createdto assist the Commission in carrying out its powers and duties.
(4) Repealed by SessionLaws 1999‑237, s. 16.5(b).
(g) Within the limitsof funds available, the Commission may hire and fix the compensation of anypersonnel necessary to its operations, contract with consultants for anyservices as it may require, and contract with the State of North Carolina orthe federal government, or any agency or department thereof, for any servicesas may be provided by those agencies. The Commission shall hire an employee toserve as president and chief executive officer. The Commission may carry outthe provisions of any contracts it may enter.
Within the limits of funds available,the Commission may lease, rent, purchase, or otherwise obtain suitable quartersand office space for its staff, and may lease, rent, or purchase necessaryfurniture, fixtures, and other equipment.
(h) Members of theCommission who are State employees shall receive travel expenses as provided inG.S. 138‑6. Other Commission members shall receive per diem of onehundred dollars ($100.00) a day for each day of service when the Commissionmeets and shall be reimbursed for travel and subsistence as provided in G.S.138‑5. (1993,c. 321, s. 309.1(a); c. 561, s. 17(b); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 769, ss.28.7(k), 28.7(l), 28.8(c), 28.8(d), 28.9; 1995, c. 509, ss. 106‑109; 1997‑443,s. 11A.119(a); 1997‑495, s. 87(a); 1999‑237, ss. 16.5(b), 16.6(a);2007‑93, s. 3.)