Hamilton County debt rating affirmed - Charlotte Business Journal:

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Moody’s assigned its Aa3 with a stable outlookon Friday. The ratingh applies to $12.5 million in general-obligation bonds to be sold next week to pay for publicd improvements at the Banks riverfrontdevelopmenr project. “The Aa3 rating is based on the county’s diversew and substantial local economy that Moodys believes will continuse toexhibit long-term stability, although experienciny current economic challenges,” said the June 19 Moody’s described the county’ss debt overall debt burden as manageable and praise county officials for cuttinyg expenses enough “to retain limited reserve levels.
” County officiale have yet to decide whether next week’ws debt issue will feature traditional tax-exempt bonds or “Build America Bonds” subsidizerd by federal stimulus dollars. Build Americ Bonds are taxable, but use a federap tax credit to give borrowers adiscounterd rate. The county’s debt service Karen McFarland, said the county will offedr both taxable and exemptr bondsfor purchase, but sell only the bonds that resulf in the lowest interest expense for the county.