CAFR 2017

dinosaur display and theater with a prehistoric petting zoo and fossils that tell a story, projected using large screens and holograms. The Animal Discovery Zoological Park currently offers 12 acres of close encounters with many animal species and is expected to double in size over the next three years, representing a $10 million investment. In April 2014, the Center earned the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation, a high award, that only 223 of the more that 2,000 facilities nationally that exhibit animals receive. The Greensboro Science Center is the only facility in the state to offer an accredited science museum, zoological park, OmniSphere Theater and aquarium in a single destination. It ranked number three in North Carolina as the top field trip attraction, receiving students, visitors and educators from throughout the state. The proposed ten-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes approximately $1.7 billion for projects that will be undertaken during FY 2018- 2027 and outlines a future financing plan to maintain the City’s current infrastructure and develop new facilities where needed to help achieve the City

Council’s strategic service priorities. A substantial portion of the CIP relates to Street Improvements and Water Resources projects. Additional amounts are planned for Parks and Recreation projects, Libraries and Fire Stations. While the substantial portion of the CIP is funded by bonds and Enterprise Fund operations, the CIP is also funded by grant revenue, including community contributions, community development efforts, transit and other sources. During the 10 year planning period, grants are projected to be available to support a variety of Transportation projects, including sidewalk construction, road projects, and transit improvements. Total Grants funding in the CIP equates to $331 million, approximately 19.5% of the total CIP. Unauthorized bond funding represents 23.9% of the current plan. The CIP also includes $44.6 million categorized as other revenue. This includes $39 million from vehicle registration fees, with the remaining from private donations and financing through Certificates of Participation. One major project funded partially through Other Revenue will be the planned performing arts center. C. Special Achievements The City of Greensboro has been named one of the top-ranked digital city governments in 2016 by the Center for Digital Government, a national research and advisory institute focused on information technology polices and best practices in state and local government. Among cities with a population larger than 250,000 people, Greensboro ranked fourth place. The city was lauded for, among other achievements, adapting several major systems with mobile capabilities, enabling remote productivity for field workers and managers, as well as for residents using City services. The City of Greensboro, along with Guilford County, earned the United Way Campaign Excellence Honor. The annual City/County Employee Campaign, which raises funds for the local United Way and its agency programs, is a recipient of the 2016 Spirit of North Carolina Award for Campaign Excellence. In 2016, City and Guilford County employees raised $247,970 for United Way surpassing the previous year’s total by $23,000 -- a 10 percent increase. This marks the fourth consecutive year the City/County has been honored with the award. The City/County campaign has raised more than $5.5 million collectively since 2001. In the area, the Guilford County Economic Development Alliance was presented with an “Excellence in Economic Development Award” in the category of regionalism and cross-border collaboration from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The alliance, formed to more effectively promote economic development in the region, is a coalition of the Greensboro Partnership and the High Point Economic Development Corporation working closely and officially together with the Cities of Greensboro, High Point, and Guilford County.

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