Chamber Provides Input on HB 800

The Asheville Chamber and the Economic Development Coalition provided recommendations and input on HB 800 this week at the North Carolina General Assembly. HB 800 seeks to redesign and reorganize the way economic development would take place in North Carolina.

HB 800 was introduced by Representative Murry of Wake County and was cosponsored by Representative Moffitt of Buncombe County. You can see the legislation here. The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce joined the North Carolina Chamber, Raleigh Chamber and the North Carolina Economic Developers Association to provide input on the bill.

The Chamber made these six recommendations for the legislation:

1) We would prefer not to place the needs of business - economic development efforts under the university system
2) We would like to see strong emphasis on client -customer service (efficiency- fast response and incentives) – i.e.- a goal such as an incentive package in 2 business days
3) Heavy emphasis on investment -return on investment
4) Rely on regional partnerships- not 100 counties
5) Ask clients how we can improve our services
6) Thomas Ticknor’s Report: Implement outside resources to critique North Carolina's economic development tactics

The Chamber would like to thank Rep. Murry for his service to North Carolina and desire to work with and hear from business organizations.

The Public Policy department is constantly watching and tracking the hundreds of bills introduced at the legislature. If there is legislation you are interested in please contact Jeff Joyce at jjoyce@ashevillechamber.org.