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Months of horse trading and behind-the-scenes negotiations may finally be coming to a close as House and Senate leadership announced Tuesday night that they’d come to a final* plan to get the state budget passed. *There might still be time for final changes as interest groups and legislators vie to squeeze in final projects and tweaks prior to final votes, but don’t expect anything major to change once voting gets underway. We’ll spare you the details for now, but we’ll be highlighting interesting aspects of the budget in future blog posts.
 
Don’t forget that the General Assembly will be back in October to vote on new district maps for the NC House and Senate and U.S. Congress. Wake County’s Representative Erin Paré, a Republican representing Holly Springs and Fuquay Varina, has already announced her intent to run against incumbent Democrat Wiley Nickel, so expect that district to be of special interest in the redrawing process. 

​Last week the Chamber’s Executive Committee decided that the security situation in downtown had risen to a level of concern that warranted a formal request urging the council to take immediate steps to improve the security situation downtown for our citizens and visitors alike. They sent a letter to all city council members urging immediate action to improve safety downtown, while also recognizing that any actions would need to be paired with efforts to promote equitable options for those who rely on our public transportation.
Below is a section of the letter explaining why this is a city-wide issue, and not just one for residents or businesses in the downtown core:

​Tuesday, September 12 was the Chamber’s annual First Responders Appreciation Breakfast where the business community takes a morning to meet and thank the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep our region safe. We had representatives from eight first responder organizations, with over 100 first responders joining us for breakfast. Newly included this year was Wake County Emergency Management, who help us prepare and respond to the natural disasters that disrupt our lives all too often.
 
While each first responder deserves recognition for their hard work, we specially recognized an officer or unit from each agency for their outstanding service over the past year and recognized Ms. Shelly Pearson of Expressions of Love Florist as the 2023 Friend of First Responders for donating floral wreaths for fallen officer memorials for the last 14 years.
 
The Raleigh Chamber also partnered with WRAL and Chick-fil-A to provide free chicken biscuits for all first responders the morning of the event. To get the word out to all first responders, the promotion was shared via news stories in advance, department liaisons received details to push out to their colleagues, and a live broadcast went out the morning of the event. While we can’t feed every first responder breakfast, the Chamber is excited to be able to demonstrate our appreciation and provide a small benefit to those who help continue our excellent quality of life. Find more coverage of the event on social media here.

To learn more about our GA priorities you can visit our webpage.

Our September workshop from the BRT Business Resource Collaborative was a success as multiple small business owners gathered at Martin Street Baptist Church to learn more about the local financial resources available to them.

Small business owners received professional advice and insight from a variety of financial experts. Members were reminded of the BRT Business Resource Collaborative's  Business Resource Guide and received more information on how this guide can take their business to the next level. They also heard exclusive updates regarding New Bern Avenue’s Bus Rapid Transit system from Het Patel, City of Raleigh’s Senior Transit Planner. Attendees were excited to see pictures of the new bus system and hear about Wake Transit Plan’s four big moves which include providing Wake County residents with frequent and reliable transportation.

Guests at the workshop also enjoyed learning about grants that will help their business be successful. The City of Raleigh’s Small Business Development Coordinator, Ferdinand Rouse, encouraged small business owners to apply for Building Up-fit Grants, which are matching reimbursement grants awarded to owners looking to improve their small business owners, and broke down each process of the application process. Ferdinand ended his presentation by telling our members “The City of Raleigh wants to make sure that you know about this opportunity so you can be successful.” The next round of applications for the Building Up-fit Grant begins this Friday, Sept. 15.

Frank Del Villar of Carolina Impact Community Fund and Scott Wolford of the U.S. Small Business Administration also discussed counseling services available to small businesses and explained how their business's financial opportunities can aid in our leader's future success. Attendees at the workshop were interested to hear Frank discuss Kiva, a small business financial tool, which gives owners 0% interest loans that are community crowdfunded. There was also a panel with all the guest speakers where attendees were able to ask important questions about how to access financial opportunities specific to their industries.

Those who joined us left the workshop prepared to take advantage of the variety of financial resources discussed. Find more takeaways, quotes, and images of the event using our social hashtag #WakeBRT, and if you are a small business owner looking to prepare for your future success, then join us at our next workshop on Oct. 5 to learn about small business lending!​

The Raleigh Planning Commission is looking at a rezoning plan that covers more than 700 properties along the much anticipated New Bern Avenue BRT Corridor. They are systematically reviewing requests from property owners to join or leave a planned Transit Oriented Development (TOD) zoning overlay which will dictate how dense and/or high buildings will grow along the transit line. While the city is interested in incentivizing more development along the corridor, the decision is complicated by several factors like historic property designations covering several neighborhoods along the planned lines and property owners who are requesting even higher rezonings to try and maximize land value while they have the chance. ​
Though they still have many more meetings before they’ve gotten through the whole line, the Planning Commission so far has proved reluctant to upzone properties higher than what the TOD will allow. Should they choose not to allow properties to exceed the currently proposed heights, property owners will need to undertake individual upzoning requests, which will almost certainly take longer and bring increased scrutiny than if they can get an upzoning now. 

Wake County has launched its first organization-wide strategic planning process to assess our current state, develop a shared vision for our future, and define its direction and priorities. This process will enable the County to focus its collective efforts on the most important issues and work together to design innovative solutions. To get them there, the County is specifically requesting Chamber members’ help.
Wake County asks for your input on our community’s vision, what they do well, where they can improve, and what should be their top priorities. Your insight will help define our County’s vision, goals, and initiatives—and your participation will result in a better plan.
​Please use this link and complete the seven-question survey to make your voice heard. All responses are anonymous, so please be candid. The survey takes just a few minutes but can significantly impact Wake County’s future.

To learn more about our GA priorities you can visit our webpage.

​The Raleigh Chamber Foundation received a grant from the City of Raleigh Public Project Community Support Fund to provide support to business owners and managers as construction of the new bus rapid transit (BRT) route begins on New Bern Avenue. At a recent workshop, business owners had the opportunity to ask questions about the project:
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​10--My business is located downtown where there are dedicated BRT lanes. Can delivery trucks park in the BRT lane in front of my business to unload?
          Yes, delivery trucks can temporarily park in the BRT lane. BRT buses will go around them.

9—What is the city’s plan for security at BRT stops?
          BRT stops will be equipped with security cameras and 24-hour lighting both under a stop’s shelter and around
          the stop.

8—What is the plan to keep the stops, and areas around the stops, clean?
          The Wake Transit Plan includes ongoing funding for cleaning maintenance at and near BRT stops.

7—How do I find out more about the Transit Overlay District zoning changes?
          Detailed information is available here, and a map is available here.

6—Are there fewer BRT stops on New Bern Avenue compared to the current #15 bus route?
          Yes, but the addition of new sidewalks and multi-purpose paths on both sides of New Bern Avenue will make
          traveling between stops much easier.

5—Why is so much utility work needed for the BRT route?
          About a dozen utility companies will move elements of their infrastructure to accommodate the new BRT stops
          and for improvements to curbs and gutters. The City of Raleigh is taking this opportunity to upgrade many of its
          public water, sewer, and communication systems in the area.

4—Many cars travel well above the speed limit on New Bern Avenue; what is the plan to slow traffic down to make the route safer for drivers and pedestrians?
          Major intersections will be upgraded with new signals and crossing features to improve safety for pedestrians
          using the corridor and accessing the BRT stations. New sidewalks and wide multiuse paths on either side of New
          Bern Avenue will separate pedestrian and cyclist traffic from car traffic, making it safer for everyone.

3—How will the City notify me if the entrance to my business will be blocked by construction, or if there will be impacts to parking for my customers?
          Businesses on the corridor that are anticipated to experience impacts to their entrance and parking spaces on
          their property have already been contacted during the real estate acquisition phase of the project, which is now
          complete. Some on-street parking may be impacted temporarily during construction or permanently following
          completion of construction. You can find out more at the pre-construction meeting. You can register to attend the
          pre-construction meeting for business owners and managers at wakebrt.com.

2—I understand there will be a Park and Ride lot for commuters at the New Hope Road BRT stop. How many parking spaces will be in the lot?
          There will be about 100 parking spaces.
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1 – When will construction begin?
          The City of Raleigh is waiting for final approval of the BRT project by the NC Dept. of Transportation. 
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