N.C. CENTER FOR HEALTH AND AGING, MOUNTAIN RESOURCES COMMISSION HIGHLIGHT EFFORTS

(Waynesville) -- Sen. Joe Sam Queen isn't letting any daylight get between him and efforts to bring good jobs to Avery, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, and Yancey counties. Queen's busy schedule has him leading the charge on a number of fronts such as growing small businesses, better broadband access and world class research.

Citing his promise to "look out for the future of the mountains," Queen's leadership initiatives include:

• Friday, March 19: Asheville meeting of the Mountain Resources Commission, which coordinates planning efforts to achieve a stronger economy and cleaner environment.
• Wednesday, March 24 / Thursday, March 25: Mitchell County announcements of new grants to help build broadband infrastructure and spur locally-led economic development.
• Tuesday, April 6: Meeting of the Global Engagement Committee at the Enka Campus of A-B Tech Community College and a tour of a local small business incubator. The committee, which Queen chairs, finds ways for the mountains and North Carolina in general to participate in and benefit from the global economy.
• Wednesday, May 7: Ground Breaking on the new MAHEC campus for the N.C. Center of Health and Aging. The NCCHA is a strategic initiative created in the 2004 NC Legislative session to develop a center of medical excellence here in Western North Carolina. Since then, over $100 million has been appropriated for construction. Projects are currently underway on all three campuses of the collaborating institutions: Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC), Western Carolina University and the University of North Carolina Asheville.

"My job is to fight everyday for good jobs in the mountains and across North Carolina," says Sen. Queen. "I'm proud of projects like the North Carolina Center for Health and Aging, but we need more good news and good jobs, more solid prospects for our kids, more ways to grow and prosper. That's why my plate is fuller than ever."