Prior to President Obama’s State of the Union address, the National Association of Manufacturers Chairman Doug Oberhelman, CEO of Caterpillar Inc., and President Jay Timmons wrote an op-ed that challenged the President and Congress, in partnership with manufacturers and the entire private sector, to work together on a broad-based agenda to spur long-term economic growth and employment. They laid out several national priorities to achieve these goals: Modernize Infrastructure, Boost Exports, Take Advantage of Abundant Domestic Energy, Fix the Tax Code, Develop a 21st-Century American Workforce. In response to the State of the Union, the NAM issued a statement that welcomed the focus on developing a competitive workforce through job training and immigration reform, as well as greater focus on infrastructure investment, trade and natural gas development. However, Timmons continued to point to the missed opportunity of the Keystone XL pipeline.

The NC Chamber, as the state affiliate for the NAM, is working toward these specific priorities at both the national and state level, and we have already achieved successes in several of these areas in North Carolina. For example, the state tax reforms passed in 2013 immediately improved the state’s competitiveness and put us on the track toward higher economic growth. North Carolina manufacturers have stepped up and continue to be a leading employer, economic contributor and key to innovation in our state. We look forward to further advancing a jobs agenda that promotes economic prosperity for all North Carolinians, through continued focus on North Carolina Vision 2030 and the four pillars of a secure future – Education and Talent Supply, Competitive Business Climate, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Infrastructure and Growth Leadership.Gary J. Salamido
Vice President, Government Affairs
North Carolina Chamber