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What’s happening in the North Carolina Government? Here’s a recap of important executive order activity that took place last week.
Governor Cooper announced Executive Order 204, which eases restrictions on businesses and gatherings. The order has three general categories of occupancy restrictions: up to 100 percent capacity, 75 percent capacity, and 50 percent capacity. The state’s mask mandate is still in effect. The executive order outlines the following:
The order became effective on March 26 and will expire at 5 p.m. on April 30. Governor Cooper released his FY 2021-23 Recommended Budget to the Joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee. Governor Cooper’s $27.4 billion budget focuses on critical support in the areas of education, economic development, health care, and infrastructure. North Carolina is in a strong fiscal position as the state has nearly $5 billion in unreserved cash in the General Fund and the Governor’s budget draws on those unspent funds to help finance the following priorities over the biennium: Education highlights: 10 percent pay increase for K-12 teachers; $15 minimum wage for non-certified school personnel; $78 million in early education and childhood development (pre-k); $80 million for hiring of nurses, counselors, psychologists, and social workers. Infrastructure highlights: $4.7 billion General Obligation Bond that includes $2.5 billion for public schools; $783 million for UNC System; $500 million for Community College System; $430 million for Health and Safety projects across state government; $460 million for parks, zoos, museums, and historic sites. Of particular note, NC has a $14.6 billion debt capacity over the next 10 years and historically low interest rates. On the most recent bond sale, the state received a 1.48% interest rate, which is a very strong position. Economic Development highlights: $45.4 million in economic investments, including allocations for the One NC Small Business Fund and the Carolina Small Business Fund. Additional priorities include marketing funds to promote NC as a business destination and fund to identify new markets for NC products. Clean Energy, Air, and Water highlights: $100 million in clean energy technologies and a clean energy workforce; $10 million for clean energy economic development; $4.5 million in clean energy grants for homegrown start-ups and small businesses; $300 million for environmental stewardship; and $8 million for emerging compounds mitigation. Finally, the Governor’s budget provides for savings, contingencies and emergencies by recommending $1.1 billion for the Savings Reserve Account, $374 million to Medicaid contingency and transformation reserves, $150 million to OPEB Liability, and $100 million for State Emergencies. The budget also provides $1.8 billion to cover mandatory items over biennium, which include education enrollment, Medicaid rebase, etc. The Senate will now review the Governors proposed budget recommendations and begin negotiating their budget priorities. Once that process is complete (May) the House will begin their budget process and eventually all three proposals will be negotiated into a final state budget for consideration by the General Assembly and Governor. We will keep you updated on the budget process as it unfolds in the weeks and months ahead. The state fiscal year will end on June 30. To learn more about our GA priorities, track legislative bills, or to read our blog posts, you can visit our webpage or follow us on Twitter @RcgaJ, @tierra_rcga, or @raleighchamber.
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 FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a world-leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), announced today that it plans to build in Holly Springs the largest end-to-end cell culture CDMO biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in North America.
The $2 billion project is historic, because it will be the largest life sciences investment announcement ever in the state of North Carolina, putting Holly Springs and Wake County on the map as a leading site for life sciences growth in the country. “We’re excited for FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies to grow its worldwide presence in our community,” said Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Matt Calabria. “The company’s decision to expand here proves that, despite the economic challenges brought on by the pandemic, Wake County’s talent pool, infrastructure, and high quality of life continue to attract new businesses that offer good jobs for our residents.” The large-scale manufacturing facility will bring 725 high-quality jobs for scientists, quality control workers and supply chain experts. Construction of the new manufacturing facility, which will be located at Oakview Innovation Business Campus, is scheduled to begin immediately. When it opens in 2025, the facility will develop, produce, package and ship medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory bodies across the country and around the world. “We are delighted to be a part of the Holly Springs community, as we partner together to bring life-impacting therapies to patients. The commitment of the town to support business growth while embedding environmental sustainability are aligned with our long term goals. We are looking forward to growing together for many years to come,” said Martin Meeson, Chief Executive Officer, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies. Why Holly Springs? It’s no surprise FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies selected Holly Springs as the home for this new facility. The town has worked diligently to position itself as the premiere location for life sciences companies in the United States. Holly Springs researched the needs of life science companies and used that knowledge to create the highest ranked industrial site in Wake County through strategic investments in water, sewer and road infrastructure. Also, Holly Springs developed one of the most robust reclaimed water systems in the state, which not only saves businesses money, but also enables them to incorporate environmentally-friendly practices into daily operations. “This partnership with FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies reflects the town of Holly Springs’ intentional long-term commitment to bring high quality jobs to our community while growing our local economy,” said Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears. “This landmark economic development announcement solidifies Holly Springs as an international destination for life sciences manufacturing. We are thrilled to welcome a global leader like FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies to our community!” The total economic impact of bringing this facility to Wake County is impressive. The project is expected to infuse $2.6 billion into the Wake County economy with $1.6 billion of that going directly into the Holly Springs economy by the end of 2025, according to an economic impact report commissioned by both the Town of Holly Springs and Wake County. After the facility opens, the Town is expected to benefit from an additional $422 million economic impact annually. This will significantly enhance the diversification of the Holly Springs tax base, aligning with the strategic goals of the Mayor and Town Council. True Partnership Makes History Numerous partners collaborated to make this project a reality, including:
“This announcement represents true collaboration and partnership at the local and state level to ensure the expansion of FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies in Wake County,” said Michael Haley, Executive Director of Wake County Economic Development and Senior Vice President of the Raleigh Chamber. “FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is one of the most innovative companies in the world, and we are pleased to help the company expand on the groundbreaking and lifesaving work they are doing. The company is a true model of what success can look like in the region. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ commitment to our economy, dedication to workforce development and sustainability goals represent a new day in economic development in Wake County." The incentives package also includes a business investment grant from Wake County, as well as an upward mobility bonus for meeting conditions such as providing a living wage – at minimum – to its employees, offering health insurance to all staff and giving workers paid parental leave. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is the first company to receive this new bonus incentive from the county. In addition, Wake Technical Community College will take the lead on training new employees at the Holly Springs facility. Wake Tech also offered the company temporary space at its Morrisville Campus where it can conduct hiring and training. NC State will provide customized workforce training at its Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center, in addition to other workforce development partnerships. “NC State is proud to partner with FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a model company in life science and biomanufacturing, to identify solutions to global challenges,” said NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson. “We’re excited about the company’s continued growth in North Carolina, and look forward to building this important partnership between FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies and our world-class students, faculty and researchers.” About Life Sciences in Wake County Growth in this industry continues to outpace nearly every other sector of our economy. This boom is credited largely to the region’s unbeatable access to converging technologies, support from multiple tier-1 research universities and Wake Technical Community College, and resources like the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and NC State’s one-of-a-kind Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center.  FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies, a world-leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), announced today that it plans to build the largest end-to-end cell culture CDMO biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in North America in Holly Springs.
The $2 billion project is historic, because it will be the largest life sciences investment ever in the state of North Carolina, putting Holly Springs and Wake County on the map as a leading site for life sciences growth in the country. “The FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies announcement is transformational for our region, and the entire state, marking this one of the largest investments ever in North Carolina,” said Adrienne Cole, president and CEO of the Raleigh Chamber. “Not only does the announcement signal great confidence in our community, but also a strong commitment to the long-term success of our economy.” The large-scale manufacturing facility will bring 725 high-quality jobs for scientists, quality control workers, and supply chain experts. Construction of the new manufacturing facility, which will be located at Oakview Innovation Business Campus, is scheduled to begin immediately. When it opens in 2025, the facility will develop, produce, package, and ship medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory bodies across the country and around the world. "This announcement represents true collaboration and partnership at the local and state level to ensure the expansion of FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies in Wake County," said Michael Haley, executive director of Wake County Economic Development and senior vice president of the Raleigh Chamber. "FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies is one of the most innovative companies in the world and we are pleased to help the company expand on the groundbreaking and lifesaving work they are doing. The company is a true model of what success can look like in the region. FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies’ commitment to our economy and dedication to workforce development represent a new day in economic development in Wake County." To see the formal announcement from Governor Cooper, click here. What’s happening in the North Carolina General Assembly? Here’s a recap of bill activity and how these bills may impact your business.
Last week, Governor Cooper signed House Bill 196. This bill makes modifications to COVID-19 relief legislation and provides additional appropriations for the expenditure of federal pandemic relief funds. The bill allocates:
Governor Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 37, In-Person Learning Choice for Families, on Feb. 26. In Governor Cooper’s Objections and Veto Message, he stated the bill fell short of two critical areas. First, it allowed students in middle and high school to go back into the classroom in violation of NC Department of Health and Human Services and CDC guidelines. Second, it hindered local and state officials from protecting students and teachers during an emergency. The Senate subsequently failed to override the Governor’s veto and instead proposed Senate Bill 220, The Reopen Our Schools Act of 2021. Senate Bill 220 was signed by the Governor on March 11. The bill represents a compromise to Senate Bill 37 between the Governor and the General Assembly, where it passed with unanimous support. On March 11, Senate Bill 114 (H107) passed the senate and made its way to the House. The bill makes modifications to the 2020 COVID-19 relief measures allowed for employers and claimants under the unemployment insurance system, reduces the SUTA tax rate for 2021, and makes technical changes requested by the Division of Employment Security. Senate Bill 114 is interchangeable with House Bill 107 and both bills have bi-partisan support. Another notable piece of legislation that made its way through the General Assembly last week was Senate Bill 138, which authorizes electronic shareholder meetings and makes related modifications to the Business Corporation Act. The bill was passed by the senate on March 11 and has been sent to the House for further consideration. To learn more about our GA priorities, track legislative bills, or to read our blog posts, you can visit our webpage or follow us on Twitter @RcgaJ, @tierra_rcga, or @raleighchamber. What’s happening in the North Carolina General Assembly? Here’s a recap of bill activity and how these bills may impact your business.
On March 1, Senate Bill 37 made its way back to the General Assembly. The bill provides access to in-person learning for students in grades K-12. Governor Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 37 on Feb. 26. In Governor Cooper’s Objections and Veto Message, he stated the bill fell short of two critical areas. First, it allowed students in middle and high school to go back into the classroom in violation of NC Department of Health and Human Services and CDC guidelines. Second, it hindered local and state officials from protecting students and teachers during an emergency. Between March 1- 3, the Senate initially failed to override the Governor’s veto with a 29-20 vote, but then passed a motion to reconsider the veto and re-referred to the bill to the Senate Rules Committee. We anticipate the Senate will take another vote to override the veto in the days ahead. As discussed in previous blog posts, House Bill 107 (Senate Bill 114) makes modifications to the 2020 COVID-19 relief measures for employers and claimants under the unemployment insurance system, reduces the SUTA tax rate for 2021, and includes technical changes requested by the Division of Employment Security. The House and Senate Finance Committees passed these bills last week and continue to make their way through the process. These bills address important updates to the Unemployment Insurance system without increasing the Unemployment Tax on employers. Another notable piece of legislation that made its way through the General Assembly was House Bill 196, which makes modifications to COVID-19 relief legislation and provides additional appropriations for the expenditure of federal pandemic relief funds. Section 2.10 of House Bill 196, extends the expiration of the temporary authorization for emergency video notarization and emergency video witnessing from March 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. In total, this round of COVID relief funding allocates another $1.7 billion of federal funds to various agencies and programs across state government. This bill was originally filed on March 1 and made its way through the General Assembly quickly. On Feb. 2, House Bill 196 passed the first reading and was re-referred to the committee on rules, calendar, and operations of the house. On Feb. 3, House Bill 196 passed the second reading with a vote of 120-0, and passed the third reading and was ordered engrossed by the House. Also, the Senate passed the first reading. On Feb. 4, the senate passed the second and third reading of the bill. The bill was ordered engrossed by the senate and was ordered to the House calendar. Once the bill was added, the House ordered enrolled and it has been sent to the Governor for final approval. To learn more about our GA priorities, track legislative bills, or to read our blog posts, you can visit our webpage or follow us on Twitter @RcgaJ, @tierra_rcga, or @raleighchamber. What happened this week in the North Carolina General Assembly? Here’s a recap of bill activity and how these bills may impact your business.
Last week, Governor Cooper announced Executive Order 195, which lifts the modified stay-at-home order and eases certain restrictions on businesses and gatherings. The order took effect on Feb. 26 and expires on March 26. Executive Order 195 has two general categories of occupancy restrictions:
Not only did Governor Cooper announce Executive Order 195, he also vetoed Senate Bill 37. As previously discussed, this bill provides access to in-person learning for students in grades kindergarten through twelve. In Governor Cooper’s Objections and Veto Message, he stated the bill fell short of two critical areas. First, it allowed students in the middle and high school to go back into the classroom in violation of NC Department of Health and Human Services and CDC guidelines. Second, it hindered local and state officials from protecting students and teachers during an emergency. The Senate is expected to vote on overriding the Governor’s veto as early as Monday night (March 1.) As discussed in previous blog posts, House Bill 82, mandates local schools to offer a six-week school extension learning recovery and enrichment program outside of the instructional calendar following the 2020-21 school year. This bill directs the State Board of Education to provide for and require units to implement innovative benchmarks to allow teachers to measure students learning loss throughout the school year. On Feb. 24, House Bill 82 passed the House and was referred to the Senate Rules Committee. Another notable piece of legislation that made its way through the General Assembly was House Bill 107, which makes modifications to the 2020 COVID-19 relief measures for employers and claimants under the unemployment insurance system, reduces the SUTA tax rate for 2021, and includes technical changes requested by the Division of Employment Security. On Feb. 25, House Bill 107 passed the House Finance Committee and was re-referred to the House Rules Committee. Finally, House Bill 119 provides relief from property tax liability for businesses affected by COVID-19 with a reduction of 25 percent in gross revenues, 25 percent reduction in sales tax collections, or both. The bill creates an avenue for qualifying businesses that are behind on property tax payments to enroll in a payment plan in order to settle debts. The bill passed the House on the first reading and is now with the House Rules Committee. To learn more about our GA priorities, track legislative bills, or to read our blog posts, you can visit our webpage or follow us on Twitter @RcgaJ, @tierra_rcga, or @raleighchamber. |
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October 2024
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