Document 2qVzam2X95wzNKb0Jw6OKKROb

Congrm of tbe niteb Vacibington, 73C 20515 March 19, 2025 tate5 The Honorable Sean Duffy Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590 RE: BUILD Grant application for Developing an East Spencer Interchange for Growth Nexus (DESIGN) project Dear Secretary Duffy, I am writing today to express my support for the grant application submitted by the Town of East Spencer through the Department of Transportation's (DOT) BUILD program. East Spencer, North Carolina, has received interest from the industrial and residential development community for the first time in decades, which would bring massive economic growth to the community. However, much of the developable land is located along the I-85 corridor which lacks transportation access. The DESIGN project will provide direct access to I-85 through the construction of an interchange along the corridor, opening the pathway to continued economic development in the area. The planned construction made possible through BUILD funding meets the program's goals of developing transportation infrastructure that has a significant local impact. I request that you give full and fair consideration to their application for competitive funding opportunities and the benefit that an award would bring to west central North Carolina. Sincerely, Addison P. McDowell Member of Congress OST-2025-1200 Page 01318 Sierra Club v. Dept. of Transp. - 3:25-cv-06221 SC_EVERSPLIT0024505