Mission: To represent the Chamber membership and business community regarding legislative issues and all levels – to act as "The Voice of Business".

Goals:

• To become informed on legislative issues affecting the business community and educate the membership and Board of Directors regarding the legislation’s impact.
• Increase communications and opportunities to network with elected officials and key staff members.
• Present Chamber transportation priorities to the appropriate officials and advocate their completion.
• Build consensus among elected officials and community groups regarding transportation projects.

• Organize committee to have members track local legislative issues and identify those that may impact the business community.
• Use resources provided by NCCBI, NCEDA, ACCE and the US Chamber to identify, track and become informed about state and federal issues.
• Hold a Candidates Forum in the fall of 2011.
• Coordinate luncheon meetings with elected officials from the City of Hendersonville, Henderson County Commission, Town of Fletcher and the Town of Mills River.
• Encourage business community members to serve on governmental boards and committees.
• If needed, coordinate a leadership trip to Raleigh to advocate Henderson County needs.
• Initiate use of a monthly “Chamber Legislative Report” that is emailed to committee members and interested members.
• Regularly attend French Broad River MPO and Henderson County Transportation Advisory Committee meetings.
• Email highlights of the meetings to committee members and other interested parties/members.
• Develop a priority list of projects that should be accomplished in Henderson County.
• Continue developing relationships with NCDOT staff through face-to-face meetings, both locally and in Raleigh.
• Advocate the swift completion of environmental and other studies related to the I-26 project in BuncombeCounty from the airport to I-240. This must be completed before work on I-26 in Henderson County can begin.
• Continue efforts to advance the progress of the Upward Road, US 25 Connector and US 64 West projects.
• Survey local elected officials and key staff members to determine relevancy of Chamber public policy efforts.