Public Policy Program
This program is designed to create a business-friendly environment in our community through advocacy, education, and leadership. The Chamber convenes community leaders and influencers, business leaders, and community stakeholders to provide a series of forums for relevant discussions about policies impacting business.
2023 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
The Chamber supports policies, programs, and initiatives that provide adequate, cost-effective public and private infrastructure essential for business development, growth, and prosperity throughout Union County.
The Chamber supports policies, programs, and initiatives that provide a trained, available workforce for all business and industries including future expansion in Union County.
The Chamber opposes taxes and regulations by any jurisdiction that hinder or interfere with business growth, development, and prosperity in Union County or that place Union County businesses at a disadvantage when competing with businesses outside Union County.
Public Policy Committee Leadership
Dr. Rhett Brown, Chair
Wingate University
Clint Lawrence, Co-Chair
Lawrence Associates PA
2023 Public Policy Events
Friday, February 3, 2023 Public Policy Breakfast: Legislative Agenda
Thursday, February 16, 2023 Elected Officials Reception
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 Public Policy Luncheon
Thursday, September 14, 2023 Public Policy Luncheon: State of Union County
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 Public Policy Luncheon: NC General Assembly
Public Policy Successes
- Resolution Supporting Investment in Infrastructure
Because Infrastructure investment is of such importance to the continued economic health of our community it is one of three focus areas of the Chamber’s 2022 Legislative Agenda. In 2022, the Union County Chamber Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt a resolution in conjunction with the Monroe-Union County Economic Development Commission Board of Advisors to recognize the past infrastructure investments made by Union County and local municipalities which have resulted in record levels of business growth throughout our community. Equally important the resolution encourages the County and local municipalities to expand investment in necessary infrastructure including water, wastewater treatment, transportation, and high-speed internet to support the continued business growth and business prosperity throughout Union County as well as the quality of life for our residents. At the September 19, 2022 meeting, ,the Board of County Commissioners voted to unanimously adopt a supporting resolution.
- Bringing Awareness to Broadband Issues and Policy
As part of our Public Policy Event Series in 2021, we hosted a free, virtual discussion with NC Representative Dean Arp and Union County Assistant Manager Patrick Niland. In this event, Representative Arp discussed a new bill he co-sponsored that would expand broadband access to parts of our county where it’s currently not available. You can watch a recording of that event here.
- Union County Back 2 Business Grant
Chamber President Pat Kahle reached out to Union County Manager Mark Watson on behalf of members to work together to have the Union County Board of County Commissioners to sign a resolution in support of Union County businesses during the early stages of the pandemic in 2020. She also asked the County to provide financial support for Union County small businesses.
The Board of County Commissioners and the staff set aside $1 million of CARES funding for grants for small businesses called Union County Back 2 Business.
The response from small business was incredible – the County received over $2.5 million in applications. To the County’s credit, the staff went back two more times and reallocated more dollars to the program. In the end, the County distributed over $2.4 million to over 200 small businesses in Union County.
