Raleigh Continues Downtown Safety DiscussionThe 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. Chamber Staff Head to AtlantaThe Chamber Government Affairs staff are headed to Atlanta, GA this week to learn more about the city in advance of our Inter-City Visit and Leadership Conference (ICVLC) in April 2024. We are scouting unique locations for trip attendees to explore, sourcing hotels to make sure they have a comfortable and fun stay, and meeting with local experts to learn more about potential topics of interest for us to learn about during the trip. A sample of our itinerary includes talking with staff at the new Atlanta Braves stadium and surrounding development projects, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce staffers, and thought leaders responsible for the creation of Technology Square, an innovation and entrepreneurship hub strategically placed between Georgia Tech and downtown Atlanta to capture local talent and bring in the thriving business community there. Once we’re back, staff will share our experiences and ideas with the task force that helps plan the main trip so they can consider what would be most exciting and informative for everyone when we visit in April. This pre-trip is one of the last stages of planning before registration is opened for Chamber members to attend ICVLC, so be on the lookout for more communications on it coming soon. To learn more about our GA priorities you can visit our webpage.
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City Seeks Input on 2025 BudgetThe 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:
Virtual Listening Sessions:
City Council Mulls Future of Dix ParkTime 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. Downtown Raleigh Safety ImprovementsAs 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.
To learn more about our GA priorities you can visit our webpage.
We're thrilled to announce our Raleigh Strong Photo Contest in celebration of Support Your Local Chamber Day on Wednesday, Oct. 18! This exciting contest gives you the opportunity to win two tickets and a parking pass to see the Carolina Hurricanes in action on Nov. 7 simply by sharing your favorite Raleigh Chamber moment on social media, tagging us, and using the hashtag #RCStrong. We want to see your memorable moments from Chamber events, networking meetings, or any other Chamber-related experiences. Show us how the Chamber has impacted your business and why you believe in the power of supporting local chambers of commerce. To enter the contest, simply post your photo before Thursday, October 19 on your preferred social media platform with the hashtag #RCStrong. Make sure to tag us as well so we don't miss your entry! We can't wait to see all the wonderful moments you've captured. Remember, this is your chance to show your support for the Raleigh Chamber and demonstrate the strength of our local business community. Contest Terms & ConditionsThe competition is open to residents of North Carolina aged 18 years or over except employees of the Raleigh Chamber and their close relatives. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
Entries will be accepted from Friday, October 13 through Thursday, October 19. After this date, there will be no further entries to the competition permitted. Multiple unique entries will be accepted per person. Multiple identical entries from the same person will be disqualified. The prize includes 2 Tickets to the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Buffalo Sabres at PNC Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 7. The tickets will also come with 1 Parking Pass. The prize is as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The prizes will be transferred by email. The winner will be chosen and announced on Friday, October 20. The winner will be chosen at random by software. The winner will be notified by DM on Twitter/Facebook and/or Instagram within 2 days of the closing date. The winner will only ever be contacted by agents of the Raleigh Chamber. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 7 days of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material, as well as their entry. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or the Carolina Hurricanes. Raleigh Safe, Vibrant, and Healthy Community Committee MeetingThe 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:
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. Representative Jason Saine Speaks with the Missouri Chamber and LegislatorsThe 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.
![]() By Michael Haley Executive DIrector, Wake County Economic Development Senior Vice President, Economic Development, Greater Raleigh Chamber Over the past two months North Carolina and Raleigh have been recognized as the best places for business by Forbes. The Raleigh metro was named the No. 2 Best Place for Business and Careers for 2017. A month later, Forbes ranked the State of North Carolina as the No. 1 Best State for Business in 2017. These prestigious rankings alone are enough to be proud of—and we certainly are! But I found something more important in these articles. Something that better relays what our community really is. Both of these articles noted—and “marveled at” might be a better description—the consistency of our economic performance. “The Tar Heel State is the only one to rank among the top five on Forbes’ Best States for Business for 12 straight years,” noted the article naming North Carolina No. 1. When Forbes ranked Raleigh as the No. 2 Best Place for Business and Careers, the article said the “Raleigh metro area has by far been the most consistent performer in our annual survey, finishing in the top three each of the past 15 years.” Any of us living here over the past 15 years—or even if you are new to the region— would agree. This is one the strongest regional economies in the United States. But why? How can we better understand this prolonged, “consistent” excellence? For me, these articles hone in on the same attributes that we focus on every day when describing our community to entrepreneurs, new companies that want to call Wake County home, or existing companies that want to expand: Talent; Innovation & Collaboration; Business Environment; and Quality of Place. Talent With over 189,000 people enrolled in higher education in our region and over 53,000 graduates each year, this is one of the most educated communities in the U.S. That’s exactly what Forbes noted in both of its articles about North Carolina and Raleigh. The magazine describes the population as “a young, educated workforce” and says that we “boast one of the country’s most educated labor forces.” When describing why Raleigh was named the No. 2 Best Place for Business and Careers, Forbes points to our continued ability to attract high levels of in-migration. We’ve all heard that Wake County is growing by 67 people every day and 47 (70 percent) of those are people moving into our community. That’s nearly 25,000 people a year. Here’s another interesting note about our growth. Did you know that the number of people who move to Wake County every day from another part of North Carolina is about the same as the number of people who move here from another country? Innovation & Collaboration It’s impossible to talk about our community without talking about higher education. North Carolina State University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Duke University are three of the most prestigious schools in the world—and they are less than 30 miles apart in the Research Triangle. Not only do we have three tier one universities within close proximity, we also have a surrounding higher education ecosystem that drives our region. Schools like Wake Tech Community College, William Peace University, Shaw University, Meredith College, St. Augustine’s University, North Carolina Central University, and Campbell University all contribute to this thriving market. Business Environment Wake County is known as a leader in information technology, life sciences, cleantech, and advanced manufacturing. This past year we’ve seen expansions at Credit Suisse, INC Research, Citrix, MetLife, and many other companies, as well as new companies coming into our market like Trilliant and Infosys. In fact, Forbes highlights Infosys’ decision to create 2,000 new jobs in Raleigh as one of the key points in the decision to name us the No. 2 Best Place for Business and Careers. Quality of Place Of course a great place to work is nothing if it’s not a great place to live and explore. With over 160 miles of greenways, museums, state parks, 35 breweries and counting, and 85 music venues we’ve got something for everyone. Consistency is keyBeing named the No. 2 Best Place for Business and Careers and the No. 1 State for Business is amazing. And it’s not without much consideration that both articles recognize the longstanding strength, the sustained excellence, and consistency of performance of our community—that’s the real story.
Find more information on recent area rankings here. The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce announced today that Adrienne Cole has been named as its new president and CEO. She has recently served as the Chamber’s senior vice president of Economic Development and executive director of Wake County Economic Development.
“Adrienne possesses the expertise to lead the Chamber to accomplish all of our goals,” said Greg Winkler, chair of the Chamber Board of Directors. Last year the Chamber developed a new strategic plan and established five top priorities which include creating jobs and economic investments, advancing transportation solutions, fostering diversity and inclusion in the business community, expanding the Chamber’s foundation, and growing value for its members. “As the first female president of the Chamber, Adrienne will bring a fresh perspective to its 129-year history,” Winkler said. “Her unique talents and creativity will be a great asset to advance our region.” Cole brings more than 20 years of business leadership experience to her new role. Under Cole’s guidance, Wake County Economic Development and the Greater Raleigh Chamber announced more than 30 corporate relocations and expansions totaling over $250 million in capital investments and creating more than 5,000 new jobs. Cole’s additional career accomplishments include:
Jill Wells Heath, president and CEO of CALYX Engineers + Consultants and past chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, chaired the search committee that worked with Waverly Partners, LLC. “Our national search of chamber executives provided very competitive candidates,” Heath said. “Adrienne’s wide breadth of knowledge and experience was unmatched.” “I’m so excited to serve the community my family and I have called home for many years,” Cole said. “I am very proud to lead the Greater Raleigh Chamber and to continue the tradition of collaboration that makes Raleigh, Wake County, and the Triangle region special.” Cole is a graduate of Meredith College and received a master’s degree in public administration from Appalachian State University. The following statement has been released by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce is encouraged by the bipartisan effort to repeal the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, known as HB2. We advocate swift action that builds our economy and enhances the quality of life for all citizens. ![]() By Margaret Worten Account Executive Brandito LLC It’s the age old question: “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” When it comes to innovation in our region, the question is the same—Raleigh, where do you see yourself in 10 years? Raleigh is growing at an unprecedented rate; however, are we ready to manage the challenges that come with such rapid growth? Raleigh already has a lot to brag about.
Smart, Modern, and Undiscovered Julie Brakenbury, director of Services for the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, described Raleigh as smart, modern, and undiscovered. Whether you are a transplant or a lifelong resident, you are creating the story of Raleigh’s future. She emphasized the importance of how the community works together. The Triangle accounts for 80 percent of the $2.5 billion dollars in North Carolina investments since 2013. I’m not a gambler, but if I were, I’d put my money on Raleigh, as would Dhruv Patel. Dhruv is the director of Investor Relations for the Council for Entrepreneurial Development, which focuses on tech, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and minerals, and cleantech funding. So far this year they are sitting at over $425 million in equity. Raleigh has benchmarked this region. Greg Hatem has created an empire in Raleigh with Empire Properties, Empire Eats, and the roles he plays on so many boards. He’s not an “out with the old and in with the new” man; he’s more of a believer in “renovate the old, create the new.” Greg emphasized planning for the future, networking, and diversity, as well as progress over process. Thinking 50 years ahead is what made the Research Triangle possible, and that is a force that needs to continue. Become Part of the Solution It’s clear to so many that young professionals are the engine. It’s up to us to determine how much horsepower is under the hood. Raleigh is supporting small business startups and welcoming international companies. We all fit in somewhere, and our talents can make a difference. There is always room for improvement, so if you don’t like what you see, challenge yourself to be part of the solution. Become involved, find your passion, run for office. Another interesting topic that came up during the program was the question surrounding Raleigh’s brand. North Carolina’s brand, “To be rather than to see,” is being overpowered by bad political policies. Right now I think the Raleigh Chamber has it right: “All are Welcome Here.” Dr. Ben Carson recently said, “One of the things that made America into a great nation is because we have so many people with so much talent from so many different places. And our diversity is not a problem, it is a blessing.” Bring on the diversity, bring on challengers, bring the doers, bring on the innovation. If we think beyond the present, the future of Raleigh is BRIGHT. Learn More about the Young Professionals NetworkThe Chamber’s Young Professionals Network provides events every other month that engage professionals ages 23 – 39 from member firms to help them become more competitive in the business arena, establish contacts, and grow personally through a variety of program topics.
Learn more here, or visit the YPN Facebook page here. |
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July 2024
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