Governor Cooper’s Year in Photos: 2022
North Carolina is emerging from the pandemic stronger than ever. Here’s a look back at some of the biggest and best moments of 2022, showing how Governor Cooper and North Carolinians are laying the foundation for future generations.
January 7, 2022: Gov. Cooper started the year off with a bang by signing Executive Order 246, affirming North Carolina’s commitment to a clean energy economy, directing next steps in the state’s plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and creating economic opportunities for North Carolinians across the state, especially in underserved communities.
January 28, 2022: That’s a lot of salt! Did you know that for the three back-to-back storms in January, North Carolina Department of Transportation put down 90,596 tons of salt statewide?
February 23, 2022: Pharmacies like King’s Pharmacy & Compounding Lab in New Hanover County are playing a key role in making safe, effective and free vaccines available in our communities.
March 8, 2022: As national supply chain challenges continue, NC Ports are increasing their capacity to transport goods quickly and affordably from ships to shelves. Gov. Cooper toured the Port of Wilmington and checked out the view from a NeoPanamax Crane that strengthens the Port’s operations.
March 15, 2022: North Carolinians are resilient. In 2021, Tropical Storm Fred devastated homes and businesses in western North Carolina. Gov. Cooper toured recovery operations in Haywood County to assess rebuilding progress and highlight available assistance for families.
March 24, 2022: Nothing like barbecue from Eastern North Carolina! Gov. Cooper stopped by Doug Sauls BBQ and Seafood in his hometown of Nashville.
March 29, 2022: North Carolina is leading the way in transitioning to a clean energy economy. VinFast, a Vietnamese Car Manufacturing Company, selected North Carolina for an automotive assembly and battery manufacturing plant, creating 7,500 jobs in Chatham County and North Carolina’s first car manufacturing plant.
March 31, 2022: On the eve of the NCAA Final Four in 2022, North Carolina officially became the center of the basketball universe. Watch the video here.
April 6, 2022: Looks like the Easter Bunny made a stop at the Executive Mansion.
April 14, 2022: It was a big day for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Director and former North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan’s son as he joined Gov. Cooper and President Biden on the tarmac at Piedmont Triad International Airport.
April 22, 2022: When we work together, we can strengthen our communities and protect our planet for generations to come. Gov. Cooper celebrated Earth Day by participating in a stream clean-up at Chavis Park in Raleigh.
May 13, 2022: High-speed, reliable internet is essential, and we made strong progress in closing the digital divide while partnering with the Biden-Harris administration to ensure everyone has the tools they need to succeed in our digital society. Gov. Cooper and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo toured facilities dedicated to rehabilitating computers after announcing the Biden-Harris Administration’s investment of $45 billion in the Internet for All initiative that will expand access to broadband in North Carolina and across the country.
May 17, 2022: Gov. Cooper hears firsthand from Dink Widenhouse about the 1955 Wilkes County 160 — where Dink won pole position in qualifying. North Wilkesboro can finally say “we got you back!” after state budget funds helped racetracks like the North Wilkesboro Speedway make much-needed repairs, leading to an exciting announcement from NASCAR.
June 2, 2022: Hard to beat a day spent out in God’s County. Bobs Creek State Natural Area will help protect water quality while providing a space for North Carolinians to gather and enjoy nature.
June 29, 2022: This year, North Carolina was named CNBC’s Top State for Business. It’s been a historic year for bringing jobs to every corner of our state, with over 28,000 jobs announced.
This includes partnerships like Toyota’s investment in a new EV battery plant in the Triad that will strengthen North Carolina’s clean energy future and create good-paying new jobs.
Watch Gov. Cooper’s interview on CNBC announcing that North Carolina is the Top State for Business here.
July 6, 2022: Gov. Cooper will never back down when women’s health is on the line. He signed Executive Order 263 to help protect women’s access to reproductive health care in North Carolina. Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson and advocates joined to highlight actions protecting women’s health care.
July 20, 2022: For the Crown! It’s been a heck of a year for Charlotte FC — taking down Chelsea in penalty kicks was a highlight of the season.
July 20, 2022: After announcing the World Golf Hall of Fame relocating back to Pinehurst, Gov. Cooper stopped by the U.S. Adaptive Open tournament to check out the scene.
August 3, 2022: We’re preparing our students for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Gov. Cooper joined U.S. Commerce officials to announce that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration awarded a $23.7 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to create a clean energy workforce training program.
August 4, 2022: The potential for reliable, affordable offshore wind energy in North Carolina to grow our economy and benefit our environment has never been stronger. Gov. Cooper observes Dominion Energy’s wind turbines off the coast of Virginia.
August 18, 2022: Gov. Cooper and North Carolina Department of Administration Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell tour the new DOA Mail Service Center and see the new fleet of electric vans that are used for mail delivery. These Ford E-Transit electric vans are just one example of how our state is working to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost our economy and save taxpayers money.
August 31, 2022: High-speed internet access is critical for people to work, learn and connect. This year, the state has awarded over $270 million in Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants to providers. Almost 110,000 households and more than 3,600 businesses will receive access to high-speed internet thanks to this funding.
September 1, 2022: No matter what shade of blue you wear, it’s impossible to deny the impact that Coach K has had on our state. Congratulations on a well-earned retirement and on being awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
September 8, 2022: When you think of North Carolina, racing comes to mind. This sport was born in the hills of North Carolina. It grew up on small tracks and speedways across our state. And now, racing is coming home.
Gov. Cooper and Dale Earnhardt Jr. teamed up to announce that the 2023 NASCAR All-Star Race will be held at the North Wilkesboro Speedway.
September 22, 2022: Tar Heels are everywhere. Gov. Cooper chats with Davis Love III, who captained the U.S. Team to a resounding victory in the Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow.
September 30, 2022: Gov. Cooper is briefed by Emergency Management Officials as Hurricane Ian tracks toward the North Carolina coast.
October 6, 2022: Strong communities require strong infrastructure. The state is investing $2.3 billion over 2 years in historic water infrastructure funding that is helping pay for 385 projects across the state to upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure.
October 11, 2022: Thanks to U.S. Department of Agriculture grants, more locally-grown food is being put in school lunches.
October 14, 2022: No neighborhood, no parent, no child, no one should feel fear in their communities. Our hearts remain with the victims and their families following the mass shooting in the Hedingham Community in Raleigh.
October 17, 2022: You already know it’s a caramel apple with nuts when Gov. Cooper goes to the State Fair.
October 24, 2022: Gov. Cooper celebrated Diwali in Raleigh. The festival of light represents knowledge prevailing over ignorance, good over evil and light over dark.
October 31, 2022: Caniac in chief took Halloween by storm at the Governor’s Mansion.
November 13, 2022: North Carolina’s community colleges are our not-so-secret weapon when it comes to building a talented workforce. The Longleaf Commitment Community College grant program is helping students begin or continue their education without financial stress. More than $15.9 million in grants were distributed to over 25,700 students across the state using GEER funding and a GA appropriation since the program started.
November 22, 2022: This year’s Turkey Pardon was a serious event. No bad puns to fowl things up.
November 29, 2022: Thanksgiving, Christmas and the holidays mean a lot to North Carolinians, and we’ve always appreciated the role our state plays in helping Americans celebrate. This year’s selection for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is North Carolina’s own: Ruby the Red Spruce from Pisgah National Forest!
December 7, 2022: Child care and early learning programs lay the foundation for future success. NCDHHS has distributed more than $743 million in NC Child Care Stabilization Grants to over 4,300 child care centers statewide to raise preschool teacher pay while helping children learn and parents stay in the workforce.
December 14, 2022: Hanukkah is a wonderful chance to gather and reflect on the holiday’s valuable lessons, including the courage to fight for what’s right so that light can triumph over darkness.
December 15, 2022: Gov. Cooper went holiday shopping in Southern Pines at businesses impacted by the Moore County power outages.
