Local

Governor says tourism strong in NC, believes it will continue to grow

By Paul Boyd
By Paul Boyd

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory announced Monday that tourism in the state generated record visitor spending in 2015.

The U.S. Department of Commerce also recently said that North Carolina is the fastest growing state in the country over the past three years.

Those numbers were calculated before House Bill 2 was passed into law.

Eyewitness News reporter Paul Boyd asked McCrory if the data is now accurate in the wake of HB2.

  • Boyd: "You are touting strong economic growth. Are you concerned though that the recent backlash to HB2 will impact some of those numbers going forward?"
  • McCrory: "I think the numbers are going to continue to be very strong because this is the greatest state with which to do business. We have over 200,000 businesses in North Carolina. You better weigh the difference on those who are dealing with this other issue versus how many are actually working right here in North Carolina and growing right here in North Carolina. Just look at the numbers. Look at the true numbers of how many jobs we're getting versus actually how many jobs we've lost. I'm very proud. Why don't we celebrate something for a change, and I encourage the media to do the same thing."

Boyd went on to ask governor McCrory if he would support a referendum on HB2 after lawmakers in Raleigh floated the idea last week.

“I don't know. I'm going to let the Legislature decide this,” McCrory said.

This was the first time McCrory faced the media in Charlotte.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

Cox Media Group

Most Read