The rapid growth of North Carolina is felt acutely by the infrastructure - our schools, roads, parks, and various community services. This growth is personal to me and many others who witness the strain on our state's infrastructure daily. An impact fee on new developments, intended to offset the costs imposed on our infrastructure, is a concept that needs to be revisited.

One major drawback is that currently, due to a decision by the N.C. Supreme Court, local officials are not permitted to charge this impact fee on new developments. Providing local governments the authority to impose these fees on developers will alleviate some of the burdens that our growing population brings.

In a rapidly expanding state like North Carolina, significant investments in infrastructure are necessary. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2021 Report Card, North Carolina's infrastructure grades at a C-. This shows the urgent need for improvements, which will be partially funded by developers via the impact fees.

We need legislative changes to authorize local governments to charge these impact fees. This is not just about improving the current situation, but about taking assertive strides towards a sustainable future for North Carolina. Let’s make it possible for our roads, schools, and other services to keep pace with the development in our state. We call on the state legislature to amend the laws restricting local governments from charging impact fees. Sign this petition to support improvements to North Carolina’s infrastructure in order to cater to our growing population.