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.
Actions:
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.
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