A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT Appropriating funds to the Ocean Isle Museum Foundation for capital improvements, storm water damage repairs, and lost revenue due to Covid‑19‑related shutdowns.
Whereas, Ocean Isle Beach Foundation, Inc., is the responsible body for the Museum of Coastal Carolina at Ocean Isle Beach and the Ingram Planetarium at Sunset Beach; and
Whereas, the Museum of Coastal Carolina has been operating and serving Brunswick County and surrounding communities since May 1991; and
Whereas, the Ingram Planetarium has been operating and serving Brunswick County and surrounding communities since May 2002; and
Whereas, the Museum and Planetarium combined served over 40,000 total visitors, including 6,000 school children, during their last year of operation before shutting down for the COVID‑19‑related lockdown; and
Whereas, the Museum and Planetarium have sustained weather damage to roofs and walls, most markedly during hurricanes, including Floyd and Florence; and
Whereas, the Museum and Planetarium have lost significant revenue during the COVID‑19‑related shutdown; and
Whereas, the Museum and Planetarium have been unable to hold normal fundraising events, due to COVID‑19‑related restrictions; and
Whereas, these losses and needs total $242,000 in repairs and renovations and $150,000 in unreimbursed revenue losses; and
Whereas, the Museum and Planetarium are deserving of support to bring their facilities back to regular safety, health, and operational standards; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Ocean Isle Museum Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization, the sum of three hundred ninety‑two thousand dollars ($392,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2021‑2022 fiscal year for repairs, renovations, and operating losses sustained due to repeated weather events and COVID‑19‑related lockdowns.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2021.