{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-upgrade-us-74-to-boost-economy", "Pittenger:  Upgrade U.S. 74 to boost economy", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER:\u00a0 UPGRADING HIGHWAY 74 TO INTERSTATE WOULD SPARK MAJOR ECONOMIC GROWTH \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) is leading bipartisan efforts to upgrade Highway 74 into a modern interstate connecting Charlotte, Wilmington, and the challenged communities of southeastern North Carolina.\n\u201cHighway 74 connects the economic and transportation assets in Charlotte with the port in Wilmington.\u00a0 In between are many challenged rural communities hit hard by international trade agreements and the loss of traditional industries,\u201d explained Congressman Pittenger.\u00a0 \u201cBy upgrading Highway 74 to an interstate, we can attract new businesses to these rural communities who would benefit from North Carolina\u2019s pro-business policies, dedicated workforce, and the easy access to both Charlotte and Wilmington.\u201d\nRecently, Congressman Pittenger sent letters to over 400 local communities and community leaders asking for their thoughts on the \u201cInterstate 74\u201d concept.\u00a0 Response has been positive.\n\u201cFor Scotland County to become competitive, we need Highway 74 to become interstate quality,\u201d said Scotland County Economic Development Director Mark Ward.\u00a0 \u201cEvery Request for Information I have completed asks how close the site is to an interstate.\u00a0 Companies are going to locate where their costs are low, and having to drive to another county to get to an interstate drives up their costs.\u201d\nSupport from hardworking North Carolinians has also been strong.\u00a0 In an \u201cinstant poll\u201d conducted by WSOC-TV on November 17th, nearly 80 percent of respondents indicated support for the Interstate 74 concept (http://bit.ly/Interstate74).\n\u201cThis idea is still in the conceptual stage.\u00a0 My goal is to work with local leaders on building support to move from idea to reality,\u201d said Congressman Pittenger.\u00a0 \u201cCharlotte-Douglas is building out a major intermodal transportation facility that will be key to creating new jobs in the region.\u00a0 Connecting Charlotte\u2019s intermodal, Wilmington\u2019s port, and the workforce in Monroe, Wadesboro, Rockingham, Laurinburg, and many southeastern North Carolina communities would spark major economic growth.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-upgrade-us-74-to-boost-economy"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8280589245259762, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}