2012 Legislative Luncheon

“Being a voice for business is critical work for the Asheville Chamber,” said Kit Cramer, President and CEO of the Asheville Chamber, at the annual Legislative Luncheon on April 20th.

Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce's 2012 Legislative Luncheon

During the luncheon attended by over 150 people, the Chamber unveiled the top priorities of the Chamber’s 2012 state legislative agenda:

• Job Creation including supporting programs that help businesses, regardless of size, to create and maintain jobs.
• Regulatory Reform
• Tax Reform/Fiscal Issues including examining the Unemployment Trust Fund
• Education/Workforce including supporting early education

Find more detail on the Chamber’s state and federal priorities here.

The Chamber’s legislative agenda was presented ahead of the annual legislative visit which is scheduled for May 22-23. This year the Asheville Chamber will be joined by six regional Chambers for the annual Raleigh visit. “Together we’re more powerful,” said Cramer.

The event gave Chamber members an opportunity to meet and hear from the WNC state delegation who each had a turn at the mic. 

Staff, Chamber members and legislators mingle during annual Legislative Luncheon

Here are just a few of the comments from the 11 legislators:

Senator Martin Nesbitt, Jr.

·         “I truly believe you have a legislature focused on the priorities of business in the community,” said Senator Ralph Hise.

·         “I hope going forward we can continue to make NC a better place for business,” said Senator Tom Apodaca.

·         “We are a fiscally strong state,” said Senator Martin Nesbitt, Jr., noting stability, quality of life and ability to educate workforce as strong points for our region.

·         “In order to build the workforce that we’ll need for our small, medium and large businesses, we’re going to have to have quality schools," said Representative Susan Fisher.

Senator Ralph Hise

·         Representative Chuck McGrady noted quality of life is key for our area in attracting businesses such as New Belgium.

Senator Tom Apodaca

Read coverage of the event in the Asheville Citizen-Times and Mountain Xpress.