The North Carolina Chamber joined 27 local chambers of commerce from communities across the state in urging the North Carolina Congressional delegation to develop a long-term surface transportation bill that strengthens our state’s and nation’s infrastructure and provides our economy with the support it needs to remain a global economic leader.

In a letter to each member of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation, 28 chambers of commerce underline the critical importance of developing a long-term surface transportation bill to follow the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), which expires at the end of September 2014. Failure to reauthorize MAP-21 would cost North Carolina an estimated $1.2 billion and put more than 15,000 jobs at risk. Without a substantial boost in federal highway funding, more than 100 projects to improve the condition and expand the capacity of North Carolina’s roads, highways and bridges will not be able to proceed, hampering the state’s ability to improve the condition of its transportation system and to enhance economic development opportunities in the state.

This letter is a powerful representation of the North Carolina business community and shows the weight this issue carries across our entire state. In the coming months, the North Carolina Chamber and the statewide business community are ready to work with our Congressional delegation to develop a successor to MAP-21 that ensures stability and economic growth.

The letter was sent by the following chambers of commerce:

North Carolina Chamber
Archdale-Trinity Chamber of Commerce
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce
Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce
Carteret County Chamber of Commerce
Charlotte Chamber
Fayetteville Regional Chamber
Gaston Regional Chamber
Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce
Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
Greensboro Partnership
Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce
High Point Chamber of Commerce
Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce
Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce
Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce
Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce
Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce
Regional Transportation Alliance
Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce
Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce
Rowan County Chamber of Commerce
Statesville Chamber of Commerce
Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce
Read the full letter here.

Gary J. Salamido
Vice President, Government Affairs
North Carolina Chamber