FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bessemer City Removed from North Carolina Unit Assistance List (UAL)
BESSEMER CITY, N.C. — The City of Bessemer City has reached an important milestone in its financial recovery. The North Carolina Local Government Commission (LGC) has officially removed the City from its Unit Assistance List (UAL) following its review of the City’s Fiscal Year 2025 audited financial statements. The State recognized Bessemer City for the progress made in strengthening its financial position while encouraging the City to continue building on these improvements.
For many residents, the Unit Assistance List may not be a familiar term. Simply put, it is a list maintained by the North Carolina Local Government Commission that identifies local governments experiencing financial or operational concerns requiring additional oversight and technical assistance from the State. Being removed from the list is a strong indicator that Bessemer City has made meaningful progress in restoring its financial health and improving its fiscal management.
While this achievement is a reason to celebrate, City leaders emphasize that it represents an important milestone, not the finish line.
Over the past several years, Bessemer City has made difficult but necessary decisions to improve its financial condition. Those efforts have included restructuring operations, reducing expenses, consolidating services, improving financial management practices, and making challenging decisions involving fees and taxes. These actions were not always easy, but they have positioned the City on a stronger financial foundation for the future.
Mayor Becky Smith said the accomplishment belongs to the entire community.
“This is something our entire community should be proud of. On behalf of the City Council, I want to thank our residents, businesses, City staff, past and present elected officials, and everyone who supported the difficult decisions that helped make this possible. Improving the City’s financial condition required commitment from many people over several years, and this milestone reflects what can be accomplished when a community works together toward a common goal.”
The City credits the support of residents and businesses, the leadership of City Council, and the dedication of City employees for helping move Bessemer City toward long-term financial stability.
City Manager Josh Ross said the State’s action demonstrates that years of intentional financial planning are producing measurable results.
“Being removed from the Unit Assistance List represents a turning point in Bessemer City’s financial recovery. While we still have work ahead of us, this achievement confirms that the difficult decisions made over the past several years are making a positive difference. Our focus now is to continue making responsible financial decisions, strengthen our reserves, invest wisely in infrastructure and public services, and ensure we remain on a sustainable path for future growth.”
Ross added that maintaining the City’s financial health is essential as Bessemer City continues investing in infrastructure, public safety, parks, economic development, and other community priorities while preparing for future growth and service demands.
City leaders remain committed to building on this momentum by maintaining sound financial practices, responsibly managing taxpayer resources, and making strategic investments that improve quality of life for residents and businesses.
As Bessemer City continues moving forward, City officials remain focused on ensuring today’s progress creates a stronger, more resilient community for future generations.
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