Lawmakers Override Governor's Veto
New Regulations Were Unnecessary,
Harmful to Tourism & Boat Manufacturers

On Wednesday, Aug. 27, state lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to override Gov. Mike Easley's veto of a bill that modernized outdated boat-towing regulations.  The regulations that had been on the books for years were impractical and a threat to North Carolina's burgeoning tourism and boat manufacturing industries.  The state Senate voted unanimously to overturn the Governor's veto and the state House vote to override was 92 to 7.  Today's vote was the first time in state history a Governor's veto was overturned.   

Free Tax Seminars for Small Businesses

 A new joint program by the N.C. Department of Revenue and the N.C. Community College System has been launched to provide tools for small business owners regarding interpretation of North Carolina tax issues. Tax experts from the N.C. Department of Revenue will provide information about a variety of tax laws and the requirements businesses must meet at the seminars. The free tax seminars will be held at 43 of the community colleges before the end of 2008 and the remaining community colleges by the end of 2009. Click here  to learn more.

RSM McGladrey Manufacturing & Wholesale Distribution Survey Yields Enlightening Results

On July 9, RSM McGladrey released its third annual Manufacturing & Wholesale Distribution Survey of executives across the U.S.  More than 960 executives – representing 911 companies – responded to questions on current business conditions, growth strategies, innovation, cost management, technology initiatives, operations, and globalization.   

RSM McGladrey's 2008 survey results in many ways mirror results from our Chamber's 2008 Manufacturing Competitiveness Survey, a poll of 300 NC manufacturing CEOs.    

The North Carolina Chamber, the state's official manufacturing association (state affiliate of NAM), is committed to advancing the priorities of NC manufacturers in the seventh largest manufacturing state in America. 

Highlights from the RSM McGladrey survey:

> 80% of companies expect cost increases exceeding 6% in energy, raw materials, operating labor, freight and benefits. 
> Companies with foreign operations are hiring U.S. workers at nearly twice the rate of their domestic-only counterparts. 
> Respondents moving production or services offshore since 2007 have declined 20%.
> Companies that indicated they are pursuing a global strategy (45%) report a 4% higher gross margin than those with no global strategy.
> 46% of businesses have adopted at least one "green" initiative.
> More than 75% of respondents do not take advantage of any government programs. 

Press Release
Survey

Rankings for North Carolina