Governor tours Columbus Co. business, talks economics plan

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Governor Pat McCrory was in Fair Bluff this afternoon to discuss his plans for economic development in the state.

McCrory toured the Ply Gem facility and spoke about how he plans to get and keep jobs and industry in the state. He says republican leaders can agree and work together about 80% of the time, but the other 20% is what is holding them back.

“Right now I’m without a strategy approved by the state legislature,” McCrory said. “The House did what we asked them to do, within a very short period of time. I asked the Senate to vote for the House bill which included money for infrastructure, including rail which included reimbursements for manufacturing.”

McCrory also says he disagrees with a sales tax senate bill that was introduced this week. He says it would hurt local businesses including tourism in the Wilmington area.

Officials say the bill proposes a three-year phase-in to a per capita sales tax system.