Many Thriving Businesses. One Unified Voice.
We balance the needs of doing business in our community with the desire to maintain a high quality of life for the people who call Greensboro home.
What We Advocate For
The Journey to R1 – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Currently, the Piedmont Triad does not have a university with an R1 status. R1 universities foster workforce and economic development by attracting top-tier talent and producing cutting-edge research that feeds local industry through technology transfer. This talent also meets the needs of existing employers and is a significant factor in attracting new, technology-dependent companies to the region. N.C. A&T is currently ranked “R2: High Research Activity” in the Carnegie Classification for Institutions of Higher Education. N.C. A&T has made a public commitment to attain Carnegie’s “R1: Very High Research Activity” designation within the next 4 to 5 years. R1 recognition is reserved for the nation’s elite research institutions, as measured by investment in research and development, number of research-active faculty and staff, and number of doctoral degrees conferred.
Eastern Triad Workforce Long-Term Success
Build on the success of the Eastern Triad Workforce Initiative (ETWI) pilot program. Each member county of ETWI has developed strong education and workforce development programs. Now, the challenge is to make sure that stakeholders are aware of the education and workforce development initiatives that exist in each county and to ensure each program reaches its full potential.
GTCC’s FAME Partnership
Guilford Technical Community College was selected as the sole college partner for the First in Flight Chapter of the North Carolina FAME (Federation of Manufacturing Education) program to prepare the advanced manufacturing technician workforce for Toyota – a critical need – and other advanced manufacturers in the Triad and Carolina Core.
“Ready for School, Ready for Life” Integrated Data System
Ready Ready continues to develop an Integrated Data System (IDS) to coordinate care, monitor service, and track outcomes for early childhood programs. This tracking is critical to the success of early childhood care programs. The IDS will initially serve 30,000 children and their families across dozens of agencies and non-profits, and the system is designed to be replicated across the state.
Aircraft Parts Sales & Use Tax Exemption for Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO)
North Carolina already offers tax exemptions on parts for commercial aviation aircraft and certain general aviation aircraft. By expanding the exemption to all aircraft >2K maximum-take-off-weight (MTOW) North Carolina companies will be more competitive with operations in surrounding states, leading to a near-term indirect economic impact of $60M.
What We’ve Accomplished
We keep track of our past Legislative Agendas and what we accomplish in each session. To see how your representatives voted on any of the below measures, check out the NC Chamber’s report on their Jobs Agenda.
Education and Infrastructure for Jobs
The 2021 State Budget included an $8b infrastructure investment plan to modernize NC’s transportation, broadband, water and sewer, and public education infrastructure. Because it is critical to job growth and attracting new companies to our state, we support funding for North Carolina’s strong educational system at every level: pre-K-12, community colleges, and universities. We support policies and investments that promote NC’s job growth, and quality of life: roads, rails, airports, seaports, intermodal facilities, advanced telecommunications, and information technology.
NC Chamber's Legislative Scorecard
Transportation
The 2021 NC State Budget included roughly $90 million in new, annually recurring Highway Fund revenue from short-term vehicle lease funds redirected from he General Fund (a solution advocated for by the NC Chamber’s Destination 2030 Coalition). We supported both the NC Chamber’s initiative to modernize transportation funding sources as well as the 2013 Strategic Transportation Investments law (recognizing that continued fine-tuning is to be expected), to efficiently and effectively allocate NCDOT funding to enhance the state’s infrastructure.
NC Chamber's Legislative Scorecard
Expand Health Coverage Solutions
We also supported the passing of the Small Business Healthcare Act in 2019. And Senate Bill 228 in 2021 to Allow Employers to Offer EPO Benefits Plans. We support expansion of health coverage to North Carolinians, whether through Medicaid expansion or other options that are available to, and appropriate for, the State. Expanded coverage improves health, stabilizes the insurance market, lowers costs to businesses, and has a positive impact on jobs. We are also continuing to monitor S149 and H408 this session.
NC Chamber's Legislative ScorecardWho Can Help You
NC General Assembly
Find your legislators in the North Carolina Senate and House of Representatives who can help affect change in our state and local laws.
Learn moreGreensboro City Council
Our city is governed by our mayor and eight elected members who represent Greensboro.
Learn moreGuilford County Commissioners
Our county is governed by nine elected members, including the chair, who represent Guilford County.
Learn moreGuilford County Board of Education
Guilford County Schools is governed by nine elected members, including the chair, who establish policies for students and faculty within the public school system.
Learn moreNorth Carolina Chamber
North Carolina’s largest business advocacy organization supports and represents businesses and local chambers at a state level.
Learn moreU.S. Chamber of Commerce
The world’s largest business organization that represents all sizes and sectors of business in the United States.
Learn moreFederal Elected Officials
Get Involved
Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP)
We connect local businesses with motivated student apprentices to foster economic growth and maintain a classroom-to-career pipeline.
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Intracity Visit
In June 2021, the Chamber team took part in our first intracity visit, focusing on economic recovery and growth within our community.
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Advocacy Resources
Podcasts
Tune in to Impact: The Boro, our podcast about leadership, small business, entrepreneurship and community. You can listen to past episodes thru the link below.
ListenCOVID Resources
Get the latest information about COVID-19 city ordinances, public testing centers, vaccination distribution, and more.
Learn moreEquity Resources
We’re committed to advancing racial equity. Take a look at a number of equity initiatives both inside the Chamber and as part of the community as a whole.
Learn moreCommittee Members
The Government Affairs Committee is made up of individuals who help the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce develop its advocacy positions.
Meet the CommitteeCircle of Champions
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