Gov. Cooper visits port, talks education and GenX

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Governor Roy Cooper was at the North Carolina State Port in Wilmington Tuesday to get a look at the two new cranes and to hear how they have made things more efficient.

The governor took a tour of the new large cranes.

Before arriving at the port, Cooper stopped in downtown Wilmington at the Hotel Ballast where he was the speaker for the NC Board of Governors breakfast.

He spoke about several topics including public education, immigration, GenX and the upcoming election.

Someone from the audience asked him if Apple is coming to North Carolina. He couldn’t answer the question but said he is optimistic.

After months of planning, two new $30 million cranes are up at the Port of Wilmington.

Governor Roy Cooper wanted to make sure he got to see them up close.

“I wanted to see first hand the effect that it could have on creating more jobs here and it’s very exciting to see them set up here,” Cooper said.

The massive new cranes will allow the port to accommodate larger boats side by side.

“We’re pleased that this port here in Wilmington has the fastest turn around time on the east coast which makes it very competitive,” Cooper said.

While he was at the port, Cooper also discussed some other big topics, like GenX.

“Families deserve clean drinking water,” Cooper said. “Businesses deserve clean drinking water. It’s important to have clean drinking water to grow our economy. The DEQ is going to continue to work for clean water not only here in Wilmington, but across the state. I just wish I had more help from the General Assembly.”

Cooper also talked about the film industry.

“I think a combination of things hurt it,” Cooper said. “One was killing the film incentives and two was the passage of House Bill 2. Now, that we’ve gotten House Bill 2 repealed and now that we’re back on the road to working to get more robust film incentives, I’m hoping that the business here will pick up.”

In the meantime, Cooper said he is also fighting for public education.

“Thirty-seventh in the country in teacher pay and 39th in the country in per pupil expenditure is absolutely unacceptable for North Carolina,” Cooper said.

Another crane is coming to the Port next year.