GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1999

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 107*

Short Title:  Folkmoot USA Funds.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Haire and Ramsey.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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February 18, 1999

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO NORTH CAROLINA INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL, INC., FOR FOLKMOOT USA.
Whereas, North Carolina International Folk Festival, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, has sponsored an international folk festival, Folkmoot USA, since 1984; and
Whereas, Folkmoot USA will be held July 12-25, 1999, in Haywood County, and will host folk groups from 11 countries and hold programs in nine North Carolina counties; and
Whereas, to date, more than 155 folk groups have traveled to Western North Carolina from 80 counties to participate in the Festival; and
Whereas, annually, more than 75,000 visitors from 44 states and more than 200 North Carolina towns participate in Folkmoot USA; and
Whereas, Folkmoot USA has been named a Top 100 Event in North America by the American Bus Association, a Top 20 Event in the Southeast by the Southeastern Tourism Society for 13 consecutive years, and one of North Carolina's most outstanding festivals; and
Whereas, Folkmoot USA generates more than $3,000,000 annually, greatly impacting the local economy of Western North Carolina; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to North Carolina International Folk Festival, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the 1999-2000 fiscal year for operational costs of Folkmoot USA, the annual international folk festival held at Waynesville, North Carolina.
Section 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1999.