State Employees` Credit Union Members Provide Investment to Mitchell County Courthouse Foundation for SECU Learning Center

RALEIGH, N.C.--(Business Wire)--
State Employees` Credit Union (SECU) members via the SECU Foundation have
provided a $200,000 investment to the Mitchell County Courthouse Foundation for
renovations to the historic courthouse, making way for the SECU Virtual Learning
and Communication Center. The Center will house a state-of-the-art
telecommunications and public access computer system, providing area residents
access to educational, cultural, and economic development opportunities that are
not currently possible.

Located in Bakersville in the mountains of western North Carolina, the Mitchell
County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the
US Department of the Interior. The renovation and restoration process,
coordinated by the Mitchell County Courthouse Foundation, is designed to
transform the existing property into a place that can serve the area citizens,
while still preserving the historic significance of the building.

Dr. Daniel Barron, Mitchell County Courthouse Foundation Chairman states, "The
SECU Foundation`s investment towards the Mitchell County Historic Courthouse has
enabled this small rural community to access education and opportunities it
would not have been able to otherwise. The receipt of this funding was the most
critical part of our campaign and without it this project could have been held
back for well over the next year or possibly longer. This is all possible
through the SECU Foundation`s belief in our project."

Shirley Hise, Chairman of SECU`s Spruce Pine Advisory Board comments, "We are
pleased and excited to have the SECU Foundation members` support for a Mitchell
County project. This courthouse is a landmark in our area and the Mitchell
County Courthouse Foundation has worked very hard to make the redevelopment one
which will benefit all the citizens in this county. The SECU Foundation funding
will aid in the preservation of this historic site."

About SECU and the SECU Foundation

SECU is a non-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. SECU has been
providing the employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with
consumer financial services for over 70 years. Currently serving 1.5 million
members, SECU provides services through 224 branch offices, over 1,000 ATMs,
24/7 call centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org. The SECU Foundation, a 501c (3)
charitable organization funded solely by the contributions of SECU members,
promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high
impact projects in the areas of education, health and human services.

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SECU Foundation
G. Mark Twisdale, Executive Director
919-839-5180, secufoundation@ncsecu.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009