Through the Department of Justice OJP Juvenile Justice Account. The Methodist University Youth Leadership Training Program targets at-risk and gifted low- to moderate-income youth in grades six through eight to participate in a four-week residential summer program that includes exploration of leadership themes, concepts, techniques, and practices as well as interacting one-on-one with effective leadership experts in government, business, education, sports, religious groups, and not-for-profit organizations. The program will focus on specific topics such as academics, life skills, decision making skills, coping strategies, leadership, and community stewardship. The students will also participate in a civic project on campus or in the community. Methodist University students will serve as role models and provide the opportunity for accountability, support, and leadership development. Nationally, research indicates that many middle and high school-age youth are growing up in at-risk environments (prevalence of gangs, drug use, lack of family and/or community support) which can lead to poor performance in school and participation in activities which result in incarceration.

Through the OJP Byrne Discretionary Grants Account. The Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office is requesting these funds to acquire two new law enforcement officer positions to provide security in the form of a school resource officer (SRO) and educators to seven elementary schools in the Cabarrus County School System (Beverly Hills, Coltrane Webb, Carl Furr, R. Brown McAlister, Pitts School Road, W.M. Irvin, and Wolf Meadow). The SRO provides three primary functions in a school which are law enforcement officer, counselor, and teacher. These funds are needed as the Concord Police have officially ended participation within the elementary schools due to lack of personnel and the sheriff’s office has made an agreement with the Cabarrus County School System to provide these needed services if money can be obtained. Money provided for this initiative will help to ensure that our schools are a safe learning environment.

Through the Department of Commerce International Trade Administration Account. Textile Clothing Technology Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation engaged in research and development to enhance competitive advantage of the sewn product, and hosiery industry sector, with support from more than two hundred companies, and affiliations with similar organizations. More than one million jobs in textile and apparel manufacturing have been lost to foreign competitors over the past fifteen years. The surviving companies who serve the soft goods supply chain must employ methods and processes that enhance competitiveness and provide value to the consumer. It is unlikely that a reversal of the outflow of jobs will occur in the near-term, but the manufacturing and distribution jobs remaining in the United States provide income and security for members of the lower economic strata, many of whom are single parents and minorities. Through the existence of such enterprises and employed work force, a warm base of manufacturing capability will be maintained for use in times of military call-up and for products necessary to the national defense. Financial support from the industry sector served, expected to be in excess of the amount of requested federal grant, will be utilized in tandem with grant funds to increase competitiveness for this industry sector.

Through the Department of Justice COPS Law Enforcement Technology Account. Since 1996, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and Fayetteville Police Department have utilized the City of Fayetteville's 800MHz Radio System. In 2005, the city and county shared in an upgrade of the system at a cost of $4.7 million, splitting the cost based on the number of radios each entity used. This system is valid only until late 2009. After 2009 the system cannot be expanded without converting to a P-25 compliant system. The Fayetteville Police Department and Cumberland County Sheriff's Office have identified areas in the unincorporated areas of Cumberland County and in the newly annexed areas of the City of Fayetteville with less than adequate radio coverage. In order to provide all current users with at least the standard 95% coverage in all areas of Cumberland County, utilizing a three watt, hand-held radio in the street, the current radio system will need to have a major upgrade. The system will also need to be converted to a strictly digital system by year 2014 if it continues to be utilized for emergency responders. These funds are a worthwhile use of taxpayer's money as the project will provide first responders with a new radio system which will enable them to respond better to emergency situations.

From the Department of Justice OJP Byrne Discretionary Grants Account. Project Fresh Start will use these funds to provide help to individuals who have been incarcerated, convicted of felonies, and family members of those who are incarcerated to live a productive life.

From the Department of Justice COPS Law Enforcement Technology Grant Account or OJP Byrne Discretionary Grants Account. Funding for this project is for the purchase and installation of state-of-the art communications console at the Troop H regional communications Head Quarters in Union County. The console being replaced is a 1980's vintage technology and parts are no longer available. New consoles are imperative as the states moves into the digital age and interoperable communications. Federal funding for NCSHP Communications Console modernization and enhancement is justified as numerous federal public service/safety agencies (Marshall Service, Forest Service, FEMA) depend on NCSHP communications capability. Federal funding is also justified because the state’s digital and interoperable communication systems continue to be among the nation's leaders---a model of full 800 MHz/700 MHz compliance, which are Congressional statutory and DOJ policy goals. Since the late 1990's US DOJ has frequently sent or brought officials from other states and nations to NC to observe/learn from the operation of the Criminal Justice Information System, NC's criminal justice data system. Recently, the state's work has become an example for the building of fully federally compliant 800 MHz/700 MHz interoperable voice communications systems.

Through the NOAA Operations, Research, and Facilities Account. The North Carolina Geodetic Survey was one of two agencies selected by NOAA in 1999 to test/pioneer Height Modernization. Currently, the North Carolina Geodetic Survey proposes to execute pilot projects as a partner in NOAA’s overall National Height Modernization Program. Elements include climate monitoring, disaster preparedness, infrastructure mapping, remote monitoring and vertical datum redefinition.

Through the Department of Justice COPS Law Enforcement Technology Account. Federal funds are needed to purchase 100 mobile and 100 handheld 800 MHz radios. The State of North Carolina has developed a VIPER (voice interoperability) system that connects law enforcement agencies statewide using 800 MHz towers and radios. The radio towers have been installed in every county in the state. Union County will be operating on the 800 MHz frequency by early 2010. The Monroe Police Department needs federal assistance to purchase interoperable radios to communicate with other county, state, and federal first responders. It is imperative to have interoperable radios to communicate with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and other first responders. Without this interoperability, it is impossible to communicate with these agencies when a multijurisdictional event occurs.

Through the Department of Justice COPS Meth Account. The Methodist University Methamphetamine Education Training Program will train students; future forensic scientists; law enforcement, emergency medicine, fire/rescue, HAZMAT; and other professionals in the safe and proper identification, collection, and preservation of evidence from methamphetamine laboratories of all types, sizes, and complexities. The program will educate personnel in the holistic understanding of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, including the chemical production, the adverse physiological and psychological effects on humans, the deterioration and contamination of the environment, and other adverse short- and long-term effects of methamphetamine laboratories. The goal of this program is to provide a new capability to meet a current and ongoing national need in the identification, control, crime scene management, and remediation of clandestine labs and all of the associated socioeconomic issues.

Through the Department of Justice Law Enforcement Technology Account. Specifically, the Anson County Sheriff Department is requesting these funds to administer a law enforcement visual intelligence technology project which will monitor nine counties which are in my district (Anson, Cabarrus, Cumberland, Hoke, Montgomery, Richmond, Scotland, Stanly, and Union). For the first time, all federal, state, and local agencies operating within all the aforementioned counties will have a common visual imagery tool to jointly manage emergencies. The emergencies include responses to fire, crisis, 911 calls, and more.