2017 GUILFORD COUNTY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA PRESENTED BY:
2017GUILFORD COUNTY
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
PRESENTED BY:
READY TO DO THIS...
SO THIS CAN HAPPEN...
HALF OF FUTURE JOBS
REQUIRE ADVANCED
SKILLS TRAINING
EASTERN TRIAD WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
Retooling for a bright new future in 21st centuryadvanced manufacturing.
States that win, keep, and grow transformational advanced manufacturing
employers offer extraordinary workforce development programming.
To get the NC economy up to full potential, the Triad’s advanced manufacturing
economy needs a unique, enhanced investment in workforce development
programming:
• We are manufacturing new kinds of jobs
• Potential megasite clients will require robust programming
• Solutions can be replicated across the state
Pilot Program plans include:
• Create a reliable pipeline of young, skilled workers
• Retrain or upskill adult workers
• Enhance and exponentially expand successful existing programming
• Develop solutions for other essential industries facing serious workforce
challenges, especially those characterized by mostly small, local businesses
• Begin significant expansion of Grades 9-14 programming
• Support for tuition, books and fees, youth insurance, veterans,
class-time, etc.
• Pilot benefits Guilford, Alamance, Randolph, and Rockingham counties
• $6 million initial investment over first two years, with four
to six follow-on years
MEGASITE INFRASTRUCTURE
The Greensboro-Randolph advanced manufacturing megasite is assembled
and certified. The taxiway bridge that provides access to the Piedmont Triad
International Airport megasite is nearing completion. Both sites are being
actively marketed to prospects. We ask that the State activate and fund its Site
Infrastructure Development Fund at the Department of Commerce to show
the world that North Carolina is ready to win the extremely competitive races
for transformational projects that seek megasite locations. This fund has been
used successfully in the past to clear and grade sites and acquire land for large
projects, but it is not currently funded. In addition, please consider adding a “rapid
response” protocol for funding specific project proposals. These actions can help
eliminate “site readiness” risk as a negative for North Carolina.
HIGH POINT MARKET
The High Point Market has $5.38 billion of economic impact in the state of North
Carolina. The State’s participation in our public/private partnership to support
the Market has been critical to maintaining its position of global importance, and
so we thank you for funding the High Point Furniture Market Authority over
the years. We ask that the 2016-17 amounts of $1,200,000 for transportation
through NCDOT and $1,755,472 for marketing through NCDOC be included in
the 2017-19 budget as recurring funds.
EFFECTIVE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Please proceed with the two studies and comprehensive review of the State’s
Nutrient Management Regulatory Framework as approved in Session Law 2016-
94. Current approaches are yielding unsatisfactory results that do not adequately
justify the costs. And in the Triad, we need to be able to build the multi-acre
buildings that 21st century manufacturing requires.
$5.38 BILLION OF
ECONOMIC IMPACT IN THE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
2017 AGENDA: Strategic Investments to Secure North Carolina’s Global Prominence in Manufacturing
AVIATION
The Piedmont Triad International Airport employs 5,000 people directly and 15,000 - 20,000 people indirectly. The payroll taxes alone on jobs at PTIA exceed the entire investment the state makes in its airports, making PTIA an excellent place to invest state dollars for extraordinary ROI. We appreciate the General Assembly’s commitment to local and regional airports and seek continuation of planned funding at PTIA.
TRANSPORTATION
The Greensboro and High Point business community ask for continuation of planned funding for the Greensboro Urban Loop to ensure its completion as scheduled in 2020.
We support the 2013 Strategic Transportation Investments law (recognizing that continued fine tuning is to be expected), which uses NCDOT funding to more efficiently and effectively enhance the state’s infrastructure, while supporting economic growth, job creation, and a higher quality of life.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Enhance the competitiveness of the State’s economic development programs by eliminating the cap and sunset on the Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) to make JDIG a completely viable tool for both rural and urban areas of the State.
EDUCATION
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.
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR JOBS
We appreciate and support the State’s investments in North Carolina’s roads, rail, airports, seaports, and intermodal facilities, which serve job growth in our state.
LEGISLATION TO EXPAND HEALTH COVERAGE SOLUTIONS
We support legislation to expand 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.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT:
The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization
in the community serving more than 1,000 member businesses through
programming designed to help them succeed and grow. A partner in the
Guilford County Economic Development Alliance, the Chamber also serves
as Greensboro’s primary economic development organization, with special
emphasis placed on community and entrepreneurial advancement through
Action Greensboro and Launch Greensboro.
www.greensboro.org
Business High Point is the voice for the private sector, working to unite
an engaged and informed business perspective to transform High Point.
www.highpointchamber.org