McCrory praises eastern NC natural gas pipeline

PEMBROKE, NC (AP) — Gov. Pat McCrory says a proposed natural gas pipeline traveling through eastern North Carolina will serve as a tool to attract more jobs and industries to the state.

McCrory visited Pembroke on Tuesday to highlight the announced construction of a 550-mile pipeline from West Virginia through Virginia and North Carolina, ending at current Piedmont Natural Gas facilities in Robeson County.

The Robesonian of Lumberton reported McCrory told 150 local business leaders the North Carolina section will help areas where economic recruitment has been hindered by a lack of natural gas.

McCrory’s office says the $4.5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline project also should create 700-plus jobs in North Carolina during construction and about 50 permanent jobs once completed.

McCrory also made a similar announcement in Wilson County later Tuesday.

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