Blog

The Raleigh Chamber got several shoutouts at this year’s State of the County address for the work we’ve done to make our community stronger. Wake County Commission Chair Shinica Thomas highlighted the economic development work our team has done to bring companies and jobs to the region and praised the Triangle DEI Alliance for their work on the A Better Wake Initiative. Likewise, Wake County Public School Board Chair Lindsay Mahaffey highlighted our annual Inter-City Visit and Leadership Conference as a great opportunity to build regional partnerships and demonstrate how well our communities collaborate compared to many others across the country. ​

We look forward to continuing our work to give our elected officials even more victories to celebrate at next year’s address!

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

The Raleigh City Council continues its discussion on how to improve safety and restore vibrancy to our downtown in their Safe, Healthy & Vibrant Neighborhoods Committee.
​
Discussion began with a briefing from Wake County Manager David Ellis on what health & human services the county provides, and how they coordinate community providers who handle social services not directly administered by government programs. Two bright spots were the expansion of Medicaid services bringing in more resources for the county to implement (something the Raleigh Chamber championed), and that most municipalities in Wake County are now implementing their own housing plans to boost supply and increase affordability, something critical to keeping people housed.

Next came a briefing on the city’s fare-free transit program, which began during COVID and continues today. Of note, GoRaleigh only accrues roughly $3.5 million in revenue from transit fares, with about another $1.5 million coming in through special access programs and contracts with private organizations who pay for bus service to their locations. Pre-COVID, the city ran a number of programs to reduce or eliminate fares for targeted groups like senior citizens, children under 12, and teens who signed up for a youth pass program. No discussion was held about re-introducing fares at this meeting, but many questions were asked about whether these reduced/free programs could be reinstated, and that question is something you should expect the council as a whole to grapple with soon. The Chamber supports re-introducing transit fares to reduce ridership that is disruptive to normal operations, along with bolstering city programs to support those who need assistance paying transit fares.

Lastly, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance gave an update on their efforts to improve downtown and what they’ve been seeing in their day-to-day work. Key highlights were the implementation of their own private security to bolster their ambassador’s coverage of downtown, and that they have seen a decrease in youth congregating in groups downtown and causing disruptions. They attribute this decline directly to the increased RPD presence and more visibility across downtown.

There was discussion on moving discussion out of committee and to the council as a whole, but there was confusion as to what recommendations, if any, would be sent to the council. In the end, the topic was again held in committee where staff will bring some concrete ideas for them to act on at the next meeting in November. That means action on downtown safety is delayed about another month with the exception of private security activating downtown.

Regardless of the council’s continued delay, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance began utilizing unarmed guards to supplement its ambassador program by providing more oversight of public spaces, and additional resources for downtown police to respond to issues more quickly. The Raleigh Chamber supports the use of private security to improve police’s ability to prevent or respond to issues more quickly.

The Chamber continues to urge council members to act swiftly and decisively to restore vibrancy to downtown and provide a safe environment for businesses, residents, and visitors alike.

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

The City of Raleigh invites you to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our city by participating in Listening Sessions for the FY25 Budget, where staff aim to provide an overview of how the budget process works and foster discussion around business community priorities. One feature of these sessions is an activity where attendees will participate in a voting process to directly influence the allocation of resources by choosing projects they believe should be funded in the FY25 budget.
 
To get involved, please sign up for a Listening Session using this registration link.
​
In-Person Listening Sessions:

• Thursday, October 19, 6 - 7:30 p.m., District E Glen Eden Park Community Center
• Tuesday, October 24, 6 - 7:30 p.m., "Budget & Brews!" at Trophy Brewing on Morgan Street

 
Virtual Listening Sessions:

• Saturday, October 21, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday, October 21, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
• Monday, October 23, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 25, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 26, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 26, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

​Time for a humble brag: thanks to the work of the Raleigh Chamber and area businesses helping pass the City of Raleigh Parks Bond in 2022, the City is getting to determine how best to physically shape Dorothea Dix Park to serve our residents and maximize its impact on our quality of life. This week, the Council heard from City staff and Dix Park Conservancy members on some proposed improvements, including removing 50+ buildings to make way for more green space and future infrastructure to improve the park’s programming and amenities.

They also discussed creating a Municipal Service District, (called an MSD,) around the park that would levy an additional tax on nearby businesses and (non-single-family) properties to create services that otherwise don’t exist. If that sounds familiar, it’s exactly how the Downtown Raleigh Alliance is run, and the idea is the same: local businesses and property owners fund services that enhance the area and benefit the city as a whole by boosting the area’s attractiveness.
​
The Council already has many questions on how all of this will be implemented, but the conversation can happen at all thanks to the people of Raleigh overwhelmingly approving the parks bond last year. It’s just another example of how the Chamber is working to make sure our quality of life remains one of the best in the nation.

As we’ve touched on before, downtown safety, (and the perception of it,) are a major concern for the Chamber as we continue to position Raleigh as a vibrant and safe place for people to live, work and play. On Tuesday, October 17, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance held a community meeting with the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) where some important news was shared.
​

1. Drop-in “day shelters” will be coming online in early November, where persons experiencing homelessness will be able to find shelter during daylight hours. Currently, Raleigh only has shelters at night, so those who aren’t actively working with social services often have nowhere to go except public spaces. This will give those individuals somewhere to go and provide another potential point of contact for government and nonprofit organizations to interact with them.
2. The Downtown Raleigh Alliance will be contracting with a private security firm to provide additional personnel who will work with RPD to provide additional oversight of public spaces and resources for RPD officers. Unarmed private security will run from October 31, 2023 through June 30, 2024, operating from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
   

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

The Raleigh City Council divides itself into several internal committees made up of four members to tackle topics as a more focused group prior to the whole council taking action. One is called the Safe, Vibrant & Healthy Community Committee, comprised of Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, Stormie Forte, Christina Jones, and Megan Patton. ​

​This committee met in late September to hear updates from city staff, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA,) and the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) on the safety situation downtown, and to hear recommendations on ways the city can respond. Lots of information was shared, but here are some highlights:
 

• More security is on the way via the installation of more security cameras, a better process to share security footage across areas of downtown, and more manpower resources via more DRA ambassadors and RPD officers.
• RPD has boosted its presence downtown (including Glenwood South) with dedicated units focused on hotspot areas and how to handle their unique challenges, but they need more uniformed officers. There are roughly 90 vacant officer positions in RPD, and  it takes 7 months for an office to graduate from Raleigh police academy, so this will not be resolved in the short term.
• Many of the recent disturbances have been caused by juveniles gathering in groups and creating problems, often out of sight in isolated locations that are hard to respond to.
• RPD is targeting gun seizures along Glenwood South and recommends all businesses install metal detectors at entrances to better screen for firearms and other weapons. They have also temporarily closed Glenwood South to through-traffic during peak weekend hours, but they do not intend to make that a permanent traffic shift.
• RPD and DRA both recommended boosting social service resources so those who have interactions with DRA or city staff have options available to them other than being processed and released back to the downtown core.
• RPD Chief Patterson said she was open to private security and company police (who have the authority to carry firearms and arrest individuals so long as it is on the property they are contracted to patrol,) and called them a force multiplier. Private security has been in the news recently as an idea floated to help with downtown’s security concerns, but remains polarizing on city council.

 
The committee decided to hold the topic of downtown safety until their next meeting, expected next month, and made no recommendations to the council as a whole for action. While the Chamber is calling for swift action on the situation downtown, holding off on recommendations at this time prevents any half-measures from being proposed that may leave the situation unresolved. The Chamber continues to engage with elected officials and city staff to improve our downtown core and city as a whole.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and many legislators from their state capitol visited Raleigh and came to the Raleigh Chamber to discuss our technology sector and what North Carolina was doing to promote business growth here. We were joined by Representative Jason Saine, a key House of Representatives leader in charge of the state budget and a key figure shaping legislation around tech.
 
Rep. Saine touted several initiatives he thought were critical for our state, including the General Assembly prioritizing the rollout of 5G and broadband internet service across the state as a way to enable more rural residents to participate in jobs that require high speed internet access, and for employers to feel confident that their employees would remain connected as they travel around the state. He also highlighted North Carolina’s efforts to attract e-sports tournaments as a new way to not just fuel the entertainment sector but also generate interest in computer engineering and technology trades through a tax incentive fund. Lastly, he touted the state’s work to streamline and speed up software procurement procedures so that services could be more swiftly implemented.
 
We’re proud to host other Chambers and legislators and share how we work to keep our state the best in the nation to do business! ​

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

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.

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.

After a hiatus, the Raleigh Chamber Government Affairs Department is back on the blog. We’ll be posting regular updates on what is going on in various halls of power that impact the business community. We will also be previewing upcoming Chamber events, sharing opportunities you may want to take advantage of, or sharing interesting ideas or concepts that may come into play in our region. ​

Want more information on what your Raleigh Chamber is up to? You can sign up for a variety of communications from us here. 

The Raleigh City Council took off for a summer recess but are now back in full swing. Here are a few things they discussed in their latest meeting on August 15:

• The council unanimously approved a spending plan that would see hundreds of millions of dollars spent to renovate PNC Arena, expand the Raleigh Convention Center, relocate Red Hat Amphitheater, begin the Cary Indoor Sports Facility, and other regional tourism projects. This was one of three votes from several elected bodies necessary for the projects to move forward, and a unanimous vote from the council shows they realize how important the projects are to keeping our region competitive and our quality of life high.
• The council heard an update on development plans for the future S-Line passenger rail service to Richmond, VA. The S-Line is part of a federal plan to improve connectivity between Raleigh and Richmond, but also to connect our city by rail to Washington, D.C. As the line gets up and running, the city wants to make sure that development around the rail stations that are going in is robust and equitable. Keep an eye on this project as it's going to further energize regions of the city that are already seeing a lot of attention like the Blue Ridge Corridor where PNC Arena’s renovation will spur lots of changes.

The Wake County Commissioners were also out for a summer break, returning mid-August. Top on their agenda was also a vote on allocating tax dollars towards the sports, conference, and tourism projects addressed by the city. After hearing an update from staff, the commission members similarly voted unanimously to approve the projects and move our region forward. In addition to the Raleigh City Council and Centennial Authority votes, our elected officials have shown a strong commitment to these projects and our region’s intent to chase larger events and opportunities for more people from out of town to experience our area. ​

It’s been all over the news, so we won’t repeat the details, but the General Assembly returned briefly after being out for many weeks to override several vetoes from Governor Cooper and advance a few select pieces of legislation. Rumors abound about when the General Assembly will finally debate a conference budget, but the current belief is it will be the week of September 11. Whether it will pass that same week or draw out longer is to be determined. ​

Don’t be surprised if a LOT of policy is packed into what would be considered a financial document. Legislators often find ways to pack in policy priorities that didn’t survive as independent bills. While there’s no guarantee what will be in there as the Senate leadership negotiates with House leadership, there will be plenty to digest when the bill language drops. Also of note is the tenuous start date for Medicaid expansion in NC - leadership has declined to split its start date out from the budget, which was the original deal that was made to get it passed.

​Staff have been hard at work preparing for the Chamber’s annual First Responders Appreciation Breakfast on September 12. This is an opportunity for the business community to show appreciation for those who risk their lives to save others in our community. Benefiting The 200 Club of Wake County, this year’s breakfast includes a keynote presentation by N.C. Department of Public Safety Secretary Eddie M. Buffaloe, Jr., and awards to heroes from each department for outstanding service in the previous year.
​
Chamber staff work with representatives from all of Raleigh’s first responder agencies as well as members of the business to curate event content that is relevant to our members and first responder attendees. We hope you are able to join us in recognizing the members of our community who keep us safe!

What’s happening in the North Carolina General Assembly and around state government? Here’s an update on bill activity and how your business will be impacted.
 
As discussed in previous blogs, House Bill 320: Modernize Remote Business Access is an important piece of legislation that allows for the continuance of certain business transactions to be conducted electronically, beyond the COVID-19 emergency setting.

​Specifically, the bill would:

• Authorize remote meetings of corporation shareholders, nonprofit corporation members, and mutual insurance company policy holders.
• Authorize nonprofit corporations to conduct all business electronically.

 
Since our previous update, House Bill 320 has passed the Senate and is currently waiting for House concurrence with the Senate proposed changes. The ability to conduct business in a virtual setting remains important as employers adjust to operational changes brought about by COVID-19. We will continue to update you as the bill moves forward.
 
Additionally, a PCS for House Bill 776: Remote Online Notarization saw movement in the Senate last week. The Proposed Committee Substitute would allow authorized North Carolina notaries to remotely perform notarial acts using real time online communication technology. The notary and the principal to the transaction would be required to be physically located in North Carolina at the time of the notarial act. Unfortunately, the current Senate proposal limits the scope of documents that are eligible for remote notarization and therefore we are hopeful that the final bill reflects the original proposal that passed the House in May.

Like the remote business access issue, the remote notarization process was also part of COVID-19 emergency procedures granted to employers during the pandemic. The flexibility that is offered in the House version of HB 776 has been helpful to businesses that remain under some level of internal COVID-19 restrictions. We will continue to encourage the General Assembly to provide as much flexibility as possible for employers by allowing for more remote options. HB 776 is currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate Commerce and Insurance Committee, and we will keep you updated on further action.
 
Finally, The Raleigh City Council released its study group final report. The report focuses on Raleigh City Council election terms, compensation, and voter participation. Currently, Raleigh City Council has five district members, two at-large members and the mayor. Each member serves two- year terms instead of four- year terms. The study committee recommended a four-year term instead of a two-year term and adding one additional district member, increasing the Raleigh Council to nine members. This will avoid deadlocks, improve the decision-making process, and facilitate efficient policy development. The study committee also recommended council members receive a pay raise. Currently, Raleigh city Council members makes far less than their counterparts in Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem. The mayor currently makes $27,550 while council members make $19,725. If the study committee’s recommendation is approved, the mayor could make $45,911 and council members would make $37,248. Finally, the study committee recommended a voter engagement program to help voters feel more included in the election process. A few recommendations to increase voter engagement includes reallocating savings from shifting elections to even years to fund voter engagement, including voter engagement within City’s DEI and community engagement strategy and adding voter engagement to the City’s social media platforms. The study committee’s final recommendations are listed below.
 
The study group proposed six recommendations:
1. 4 -year terms
2. Staggered terms
3. Even year elections
4. Increase total compensation
5. Develop and implement voter engagement program
6.  Add 1 new district council position
 
We will keep you updated on further action as the Raleigh City Council moves forward with the recommendations of the study 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.  
 
 

What’s happening in the North Carolina General Assembly and around state government? Here’s a recap of activity and how your business will be impacted.
 
Last week, Senate Bill 462: CON/Threshold Amds. & Certificate Expirations passed both the House and the Senate and is currently awaiting the Governor’s consideration. Senate Bill 462 would increase the dollar threshold on diagnostic center equipment, major medical equipment, and capital expenditures for new institutional health services must exceed before they are subject to certificate of need review. It would also require projects subject to a certificate of need to initiate construction within a specified timeframe. This bill has three sections, and more information can be found below.
 
Section 1 of the bill would increase the dollar threshold various types of healthcare equipment and facilities must exceed before becoming subject to Certificate of Need review:

• For diagnostic centers, the aggregate dollar value of equipment with an individual value over $10,000 would be increased to $1,500,000. The current threshold is $500,000.
• For major medical equipment, the threshold would be increased to $2,000,000. The current threshold is $750,000.
• For capital expenditures for new institutional health services, the threshold would be increased to $4,000,000. The current threshold is $2,000,000.

 
Section 2 of the bill would require certificate of need holders to initiate construction on projects withing a specified timeframe. If the project is not initiated by the deadline, the certificate of need would expire. These projects include the following:

• Projects costing over $50,000,000 would have to initiate construction within 4 years of the certificate of need becoming final.
• Projects costing $50,000,000 would have to initiate construction within 4 years of the certificate of need becoming final.
• Projects that already have a certificate and a deadline for completion would have to be completed by that deadline.

 
Section 3 of the bill is a severability clause. We will keep you updated on further action from the Governor.
 
Additionally, House Bill 320: Modernize Remote Business Access moved forward last week and received approval from the Senate Commerce Committee. House Bill 320 would: authorize remote meetings of corporation shareholders, nonprofit corporation members, and mutual insurance company policy holders; authorize nonprofit corporations to conduct all business electronically; and make technical and conforming changes. House Bill 320 has been re-referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further review. We will keep you updated on further action as this bill continues to make its way through the General Assembly.
 
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 and around state government? Here’s a recap of activity and how your business will be impacted.
 
The NC House began discussing an important piece of legislation that aims to lower health care costs by providing small businesses with additional health insurance options. Senate Bill 228: Allow Employers to Offer EPO Benefit Plans allows insurers to offer Exclusive Provider Benefit Plans where out-of-network services would not be covered.  The bill also establishes continuity of care provisions for EPOs. This transitional coverage would be available to individuals who are newly insured by the EPO and to individuals whose healthcare providers left the EPO's network.
​

1. In general, the insurer would have to continue paying the provider for treatment received within 90 days of the provider leaving the network.
2. If the care is related to surgery, organ transplantation, or inpatient care, coverage must be continued for 90 days after discharge.
3. If the care is related to pregnancy, and the insured was in her second trimester when the provider left the network, coverage must continue through 60 days of postpartum care.
4. Coverage for terminal illness must be extended for the duration of the insured's life.

 
Insurers may condition coverage for continuing care on the following:

1. The provider agreeing to accept reimbursement from the insurer and not charge the patient a greater cost-share.
2. The provider agreeing to comply with the insurer's quality assurance programs and policies for in network providers.

 
The bill received a unanimous vote from the NC Senate in June, and we are pleased to see the NC House begin to move it forward. It passed the House Insurance Committee last week and has been re-referred to the House Health Committee. Healthcare costs are a critical factor in an employer’s business model and particularly for small businesses that are often forced to make tough decisions on whether health care coverage is an option they can afford to provide. SB 228 is a great tool for businesses looking to add health care coverage to their employee benefit schedule. We will keep you posted on its progress.
 
Also, a PCS for House Bill 353: Winston-Salem/Forsyth and Wake Boards of Education passed the NC House last week. The PCS to House Bill 353 would do the following:

• Create staggered terms for members of the Wake County Board of Education, beginning with the election in 2022.
• Move the Wake County Board of Education election cycle to odd-numbered years, beginning in 2023
• Establish four-year terms for members of the Wake County Board of Education, beginning in 2023.

 
This bill passed the House on second and third readings and has been sent to the Senate for further consideration. We will keep you posted as the bill moves forward.
 
Finally, Gov. Cooper signed Senate Bill 507: Modify Business Corporation Act into law. We have reported on SB 507 in several blog posts as it progressed through the General Assembly, and we thank members of the House, the Senate, and Governor Cooper for their support. Please see the Raleigh Chamber Bill Tracking Chart for more information on the legislative history of SB 507.
 
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.