Last week we sent a powerful group of business leaders to Raleigh for the WNC Legislature along with 8 other area chambers to advocate for issues affecting our area.
Issues discussed included Voting Maps, Rural Broadband Coverage, Industrial Hemp to Medical Marijuana, challenges with hiring skilled employees, and building relationships with area delegates.
Pictured left: AB Swindell, Linda Gilleland, Jim
McDowell, Tony Rand, and Rep Ray Russell outside his office at the legislature
during our trip to the WNC Legislative Trip with 8 other Chambers.
Dates Attended: April
9-10
Attendees: Jim
McDowell, Tony Rand, Linda Gilleland from Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, and
50 other attendees from 8 Chambers around the Asheville Area and Western NC
Location: Raleigh, NC
Tuesday, April 9
2-3PM Political
Strategist’s Overview – Moderated by Joe Stewart, VP of Government Affairs for
IIANC (Independent Insurance Agents of NC).
Overview of voting trends, issues, Democratic and Republican strategies
for 2020 elections.
Notes:
-
New voting maps in 2021 for 2022 elections in NC.
-
In 2016 there were more urban legislators than
rural
3-4PM Broadband in
Rural NC – Panel discussion of Rural Broadband issues, challenges, and
solutions
Panelists:
-
Angie
Bailey: Director, NC Broadband Infrastructure Office: Informed and updated Chambers on rural
broadband in NC. Provided updates on legislation and impacts on our
area. Importance of rural broadband for education and economic
development. Provided BB statistics for
NC.
-
Kathryn
de Wit: Pew Charitable Trusts Rural Broadband Research: Research update on rural broadband in US, and
Pew Charitable Trusts Initiatives to help push access to rural areas. NC
Status
-
Nelle
Hotchkiss: COO NC Electric Co-Ops:
How Electric Co-ops are helping and update on any legislative issues
that may be obstacles or incentives. Updated legislative initiatives to
include NC Electric Co-ops in Broadband solutions. Electric Cooperatives have installed fiber
for “smart meters” and grid.
-
Hunter
Goosmann: ERC CEO: Provided
updates on successes in rural areas in the mountains, and technical challenges. Instrumental in Watauga County receiving
$100K grant from the ARC.
Notes:
- - Co-ops
need access to USDA Federal Funds
- - Co-ops
can’t partner below market rates
- - Need
access to fiber for secondary and primary backhaul and middle mile for ISPs
-
Referenced
S310
4-5PM Industrial Hemp to Medical Marijuana - informational session and overview of trends
5:30 to
7:30 Legislative Reception with WNC
Delegation
-
Representative
Ray Russell and Senator Deanna Ballard attended along with legislators from
other districts in WNC.
7:30 Dinner at 42nd St. Oyster
House with Blowing Rock delegation, Rep. Ray Russell, Kathryn de Wit from Pew
Charitable Trusts…..Further discussion on Rural BB issues and initiatives.
Wednesday,
April 10
8:45 AM Meeting
with Speaker of the House Tim Moore at the Legislative Building. Speaker Moore’s main message was about
“Spreading Prosperity” in all of NC, not just the urban areas. The economy of NC is good. Finding talent and skilled workers is the
main challenge of NC’s industries and businesses. Community Colleges are stepping up to help
fill the gaps.
Senator Phil
Berger, Senate pro tempore since 2011, met our with our group and discussed in
some detail the need to provide rural broadband and appeared to understand the electric co-ops.
