Moore tours Western NC Manufacturers, Recovery Project

Congressman highlights jobs, Helene recovery and public safety during district tour.

U.S. Rep. Tim Moore (R, NC-14) toured manufacturing facilities, Hurricane Helene recovery projects and a Charlotte medical education campus last week, according to an email from Moore's congressional office.

The tour included stops in Morganton, Polk County and Charlotte, as Moore highlighted manufacturing, infrastructure, disaster recovery and public safety issues affecting the 14th Congressional District.

Moore represents the 14th District, which includes Rutherford, Burke, Cleveland and Gaston counties and portions of Mecklenburg and Polk counties. He is seeking a second term in the U.S. House.

Moore tours manufacturers

Moore said he joined the National Association of Manufacturers to tour several companies and meet with employees and company officials about manufacturing and economic growth.

The first stop was Seiren North America in Morganton, an automotive textiles manufacturer.

According to Moore's email, the visit included discussions about the company's operations and federal tax policy.

Moore said the “Working Families Tax Cuts” are giving manufacturers greater certainty to invest in equipment and plan for future growth.

The congressman next visited Jim Myers & Sons in Charlotte, a family-owned company that has manufactured equipment for the water and wastewater industry for more than 60 years.

The company builds its equipment in Charlotte, with products used at treatment facilities around the world, according to Moore.

The tour concluded with a visit to Okuma America in Charlotte, where Moore viewed advanced manufacturing equipment used to produce precision parts for industries across the country.

Moore also visited BASF in Charlotte, where more than 300 employees produce polymers used in automobiles, paint, packaging and other products.

“We discussed the importance of trade policies that keep American manufacturers competitive and regulations that protect public safety without standing in the way of growth,” Moore said.

The visits come as Moore campaigns for another term in a district where manufacturing, economic development and the ongoing Helene recovery remain significant issues.

U.S. 176 reconstruction continues

Moore also joined the North Carolina Department of Transportation for a ride-along on U.S. 176 in Polk County to inspect reconstruction work on a section of the highway damaged by Hurricane Helene.

The road connects Tryon and Saluda and remains closed nearly two years after the storm.

“For the people who live and work here, this is much more than a road project,” Moore said. “U.S. 176 connects Tryon and Saluda, and families and businesses have spent nearly two years navigating around the closure.”

The damaged section is approximately 1.2 miles long, but reconstruction is expected to cost more than $34 million because of the mountainous terrain and the engineering challenges involved.

Moore said the project is making progress, but that additional work remains before the roadway can safely reopen.

The U.S. 176 project is one of numerous transportation and infrastructure projects underway in Western North Carolina following Helene.

The storm struck the region in September 2024, causing widespread damage to roads, bridges, homes, businesses and utilities. Recovery work has continued nearly two years later.

Home rebuilt through Renew NC

Moore also visited a home in Mooresboro being rebuilt through Renew NC for a family affected by Helene.

The home is nearly complete, according to Moore's office.

Renew NC uses federal disaster recovery funds to repair and rebuild homes in communities affected by the storm.

“Every home rebuilt is another step forward for western North Carolina, and I will continue working to make sure that progress continues,” Moore said.

Moore said his office remains available to residents who need assistance with FEMA claims or navigating federal disaster recovery programs.

Medical education expands in Charlotte

The congressman also toured The Pearl, Charlotte's medical education and research district.

The campus includes Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Atrium Health, Carolinas College of Health Sciences and IRCAD North America, a surgical training and research center.

Moore highlighted Wake Forest's Charlotte medical school campus, where students can complete all four years of medical education.

“For years, Charlotte was the largest city in the country without a four-year medical school, but now students can complete all four years of their medical education right here in Charlotte,” Moore said.

Moore said the campus will expand medical education opportunities and help train future physicians.

Moore renews focus on Zarutska case

Moore also addressed the approaching first anniversary of the killing of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte.

Zarutska, who fled Ukraine following Russia's invasion, was killed in Charlotte last year. Her death prompted renewed debate over criminal justice policies and the release of repeat offenders.

Moore said Zarutska's death demonstrated what he considers failures in the criminal justice system.

“Iryna deserved to be safe in our community,” Moore said.

Moore has introduced the Judicial Accountability Act, which he says would hold magistrate judges accountable when they repeatedly release violent offenders who pose a danger to the public.

“Violent repeat offenders should not be on our streets,” Moore said.

The issue is likely to remain part of Moore's public safety messaging as he campaigns for reelection.

Democrat LaKesha Womack is challenging Moore in the general election. The race will give voters a choice between the Republican incumbent and his Democratic challenger as Moore seeks to continue representing the district in Washington.

For Moore, the latest district tour combined several themes central to his congressional campaign: promoting manufacturing and investment, completing Helene recovery projects, expanding medical education, and addressing public safety.