137 South Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 | 336-626-2626
chamber@asheboro.com
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NEW CHAMBER INITIATIVE: Learning Portal
We intend to start offering on-demand learning with a series of short videos on topics presented by local subject-matter experts. People like YOU! We want to hear from you if you are passionate about the subjects of:
- Leadership
- Sales & Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
Linda and Chelsey are seeking Members that would be interested in doing 5-8 minute videos that discuss best practices, tips, or share experiences in these three topic areas. Get in touch and we'll work with you to put your topic and video together.
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CHAMBER ADVOCACY: Meeting with Congressman Budd
Last week Chamber President, Linda Brown, participated in a meeting with Congressman Ted Budd and fellow Chamber execs from his District. It was an informative opportunity to learn what has been happening in DC as well as here in the Congressman's District. Of particular interest to our members is the FLEX (Flexibility through Lower Expenses) Healthcare Act that was introduced by Congressman Budd. Specifically it would allow small businesses to band together to purchase affordable plans and would also give consumers the freedom to purchase low-cost short-term plans if needed. Our Chamber has closely followed and supported efforts to secure the ability for small business owners to have access to group medical plan rates currently unavailable to them. We will report on any progress of this effort in future updates. Other issues discussed with the Congressman included reopening schools, availability and costs of childcare, transportation and infrastructure funding, expanding broadband in rural communities, and restarting the economy.
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ZOOM Meeting with Congressman Budd:
Top L to R: Caroline Moser of Davie County Chamber/EDC/TDA, Linda Brown of Asheboro/Randolph Chamber, Kyle Bridges of Congressman Budd's office, Keith Tobin of Thomasville Chamber. 2nd Row: Congressman Budd, Joe Bost of Charlotte Regional Alliance, Elaine Spalding of Rowan Chamber in Salisbury, Joe Walls of the Lexington Chamber. 3rd Row: Randall Lanier of Norther Davidson Chamber, Mac Williams of Alamance Chamber, Sam Shumate of Congressman Budd's office, Amanda Hodges of Caswell County Chamber, Bottom Row: Calvin McRae of Winston-Salem Chamber, Samantha Bagbey of Roxborough Person County Chamber.
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Last Week in Raleigh
Items reviewed in our weekly Advocacy meetings with the NC Chamber of Commerce: Last week the General Assembly introduced a $1.7 billion COVID-19 relief bill for North Carolina. The bill, House Bill 196, contains substantial allocations to support COVID-19 testing, school reopening plans, and childcare services, among other priorities. It passed the House with full support on Wednesday, and the Senate followed suit on Thursday to unanimously approve an amended version of the bill. After the House concurred with that amended version through another unanimous vote, the bill was sent to Governor Cooper's desk, where it awaits his consideration.
On the education front, there were several notable developments this week, including an unexpected detour for Senate Bill 37, the school reopening bill. As we've noted previously, this bill would require that all North Carolina school systems provide in-person learning options for students. Last Friday, shortly after we sent this newsletter, we received word that Governor Cooper had vetoed the bill. Though it had initially passed both the House and Senate with votes that amounted to veto-proof majorities, an attempt to override the Governor's veto failed in the Senate on Monday.
Members of the General Assembly responded to that failed override by signaling that another school reopening bill, House Bill 90, will see discussion next week in the House Education K-12 Committee. This bill would only apply to a few local school districts across the state and, as a local bill impacting fewer than 15 counties, would not be subject to approval from the Governor. This may end up being a pathway through the General Assembly for school reopening measures, and we would not be surprised to see action on other local bills that seek to enact similar in-person requirements for school systems across North Carolina.
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Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce | www.chamber.asheboro.com |
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