Chamber Blog

Friends of Charlotte and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce,

Notwithstanding the affects and challenges of the national economy, Charlotte will be a happening place over the next two years. Ribbons are scheduled to be cut on the NASCAR Hall of Fame, two new bank towers, several new museums, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel and a 3rd parallel runway at the airport. At least one new center city park and the new triple-A baseball stadium are likely.

But beyond 2010, what are the key issues that we as a region need to address now to insure a strong economic future for the long term? That question will be the theme of the Charlotte Chamber’s Annual Fall Planning Retreat in September. To contribute your perspective and to add value to this dialogue, we invite you to play "20 Questions." Click here and answer as many or as few of the questions as you like. Or if you want to add questions that you think have been missed, post a comment to the blog. Your voice and that of other business leaders and citizens will inform our priorities for years to come.

Thanks and best wishes.

Guest blogger Tameka Caprise

Would you like to be able to have fun in the sun without going broke?  Whether you are a newcomer to the area or interested in rediscovering your hometown, here is some information about free (or almost free) stuff and activities in the Charlotte area:

Charlotte area Web sites

Visit Charlotte is a great resource for any visitor, newcomer or 20-year citizen.  This Web site highlights all you need to know about the Queen City: what to do, where to eat and how to get there.  Also, to help give your wallets a well-needed break, certain area hotels are offering $50 gas cards with a one-night stay. 

If you're interested in doing a little sightseeing in Uptown Charlotte, you HAVE to purchase the Uptown Museum Pass.  For only $18 (adult ticket), you can visit Discovery Place, Levine Museum of the New South and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design and save off regular admission!  Plus, the pass allows you to take advantage of offers and savings throughout the Charlotte area - from a FREE deli sandwich from Reid's Fine Foods (off 7^th Street) to $1 off admission to Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens in Belmont, N.C., and much, much more!

Check out www.visitcharlotte.com to download your free 2008 Official Visitors Guide, Uptown Museum Pass and find out more information about a lot of cool stuff to do around Charlotte. 

Here are some other great websites you should check out in order to find out what's going on in "your neck of the woods."

www.charlottecentercity.org -Center City

www.crva.com -Official website for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

www.dilworthonline.org  --Dilworth Community

www.elizabethcommunity.com -Elizabeth Community

www.mpha.com-  Myers Park Community

www.historicsouthend.com -South End Community

www.noda.org-- NoDa (North Davidson Community)

www.plazamidwood.org -Plaza Midwood Community

www.huntersville.org-- Huntersville/Lake Norman communities

County Organizations

Remember the Library??

I know most of us are "plugged in" to the information highway by way of our cell phones, Blackberries, iPhones and the Internet.  Sometimes, the library may be the last thing on our minds when it comes to finding out information these days.   But did you know that you can download digital media for free from the Public Library of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County? Check out www.plcmc.org and click on the Download audiobooks, music and eFlicks link under Featured Services.  You must have a library card in order to download any material. You can apply for a card here.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation

I know what you're about to say ... Yes, Tameka, we ALL know visiting our local parks is free! However, the Charlotte Parks and Recreation Department is offering a lot more than just walking trails and places to feed the ducks and pigeons.

If you live in a 500-square-foot studio apartment in Uptown Charlotte or if you don't have space in your yard, you may think you will never have your own garden. Wrong!  Did you know for a mere $3 per month or $26 per year you can rent your own 10 foot by 10 foot garden space?  Also, did you know youngsters can learn to swim for FREE twice a week at certain outdoor pools during the summer?   Check out www.charmeck.org and click on the Park and Recreation link under Mecklenburg County or dial 311 to find out more information.

I hope this information has helped you as you plan out the rest of your summer activities.  Remember to check the Engage Charlotte Web site for more information about upcoming events, blogs and other information.  Have a safe rest of the summer!

Highlights of the legislative successes follow:

The budget allows for a small spending increase of roughly three percent, including an average raise of three percent for teachers and the greater of 2.75 percent or $1,100 for state employees.   The budget also allows for $857 million in debt capacity over the next four years for university buildings and prison construction. "Two-thirds bonds" and certificates of participation will used to fund the construction projects.

The state budget bill includes many of the Charlotte Chamber's legislative priorities for this short session.  There are no new taxes and very few cuts in existing taxes this session.  To date, our legislative successes are:

• $99 million for gap funding for the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA).  This includes $25 million for the Triangle Expressway, $24 for the Monroe By-Pass, $35 million for the Garden Park Expressway and $15 million for the Mid-Currituck Bridge. This gap funding, effective July 1, 2008, is a critical step forward towards eliminating the transfer of the Highway Trust Fund, supporting increased, innovative funding for roads and getting the NCTA off the ground and running.

• Clarification of North Carolina's sales tax law on manufacturing.  Moving forward, North Carolina's manufacturers will not be assessed a service tax on their remanufactured products by the NC Department of Revenue.  This is a significant savings for many manufacturers.  Not only will this clarification in our state's tax law help retain companies, it will help attract suppliers and other companies to our great state and region. 

• $500,000 for one year to the CIAA for marketing and promotion of its tournament. This state investment will generate nearly $30 million for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. 

• $57.2 million for UNC Charlotte's Energy Production Infrastructure Center (EPIC)

• $1.5 million for Johnson and Wales University

More than $23 million was allocated for the North Carolina Community College System's Enrollment Growth Adjustments and partial funding was received for the Community College System's Allied Health and Technical Education programs. Unfortunately, there was no funding for the UNC Charlotte's Lateral Entry Teacher Program. 

As we move closer to the last few weeks of session, the Toll Enforcement Authority Changes bill (S1697) which will allow the NCTA to collect on paid and unpaid tolls makes it way through the House Transportation Committee tomorrow.  The Senate plans to work on finishing coastal storm water regulations and gang legislation over the next week.

Legislators, staff and lobbyists are spending a lot of time waiting in Raleigh.  The hope is that the General Assembly is quickly approaching adjournment.  However, budget negotiators continue hammering out the final details and are doing so in private, turning away representatives of the media as well.  With the pending adjournment, many are attempting to move the legislation they want through the process prior to that time.  And those who don't want bills to pass are attempting to keep that from happening.

The Toll Enforcement Authority Changes bill (S1697) has passed committee and resides in the Senate.  It is scheduled for a vote on Monday night. This bill will allow the North Carolina Turnpike Authority (NCTA) to bond by authorizing them to: a) collect tolls and b) provide for the enforcement of tolls on Turnpike projects of the NCTA.  This is a crucial piece of legislation to get the NCTA projects up and running.

The Involuntary Annexation Moratorium Act (H2367) passed out of the House last night and was sent to the Senate.  Should the bill pass, an annexation ordinance with an effective date on or after this bill becomes law shall not become effective until May 31, 2009.  It places a nine month moratorium on involuntary annexations. It is unclear what the chances are of the bill passing in the Senate.