A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to support folkmoot usa's community international arts and cultural education programs.
Whereas, Folkmoot USA, North Carolina's official International Festival, is a two‑week celebration of the world's cultural heritage through folk music and dance; and
Whereas, Folkmoot USA is held for two weeks each summer across the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina; and
Whereas, Folkmoot USA holds over 25 events each year in over eight different counties; and
Whereas, Folkmoot USA features performances, parades, and workshops by more than 350 performers from a dozen or so countries; and
Whereas, during its 26‑year history, over 200 folk groups from more than 100 countries from all over the globe have shared their heritage and culture at Folkmoot USA; and
Whereas, Folkmoot USA continues to have a positive fiscal impact in western North Carolina; and
Whereas, in 2007 Folkmoot USA contributed $4,026,684 to the local economy, which included a direct impact in terms of payroll expenditures, other operating expenditures, and attendee spending of $2,828,486 and indirect and induced effects of these same categories of $526,907 and $607,290, respectively; and
Whereas, Folkmoot USA also created and maintained 56.6 jobs during that same year; and
Whereas, Folkmoot USA is the largest event of the International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (CIOFF) sponsored events in the United States; and
Whereas, Folkmoot USA's contributions to the cultural life of the community and the enhancement of the region's reputation make it a tourism destination; and
Whereas, Folkmoot USA has been cited by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast United States; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to Folkmoot USA, a nonprofit organization, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the 2009‑2010 fiscal year and the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the 2010‑2011 fiscal year in recurring funds to support Folkmoot USA's community international arts and cultural education programs which serve Western North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2009.