RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, the future-focused NC Chamber Foundation announced it has successfully funded its five-year NC Leads strategic plan. The NC Leads plan, developed with input and significant financial commitments from the private sector, will secure a thriving future for our state.

To date, $7.63 million has been secured to support the five-year plan, exceeding the organization’s $7.5 million goal.

NC Leads defines a critical policy research agenda and data-driven engagement on key economic growth issues in the state. The plan prioritizes education and workforce development, strengthening North Carolina’s competitive business climate, and investing in infrastructure systems to support our state’s rapid growth.

“Through data-based, nonpartisan research, thoughtful collaboration, and outcome-based programs, NC Leads will enhance the quality of life and creation of wealth for all North Carolinians,” says NC Chamber Foundation President Meredith Archie. “We are excited to continue this work on behalf of North Carolina’s diverse, innovative, and dynamic business community, and thank them for their engagement and investment in our state’s future.”

Duke Energy State President Kendal Bowman and Glen Raven Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Derek Steed served as co-chairs for the NC Leads campaign. Cabinet members included Joe Brannan, NC Electric Cooperatives; Donald Gintzig, WakeMed Health and Hospitals; Jim Hansen, PNC Bank; Brad Jones, First National Bank; Trey Rabon, AT&T; Charmaine Riggins, Vontier; and David Weaver, Truist.

The campaign also included an honorary council including Allen Gant, Jr., Glen Raven; Frank Holding, Jr., First Citizens; Stan Kelly, Piedmont Triad Partnership; and Ward Nye, Martin Marietta.

“The business community is committed to maintaining North Carolina’s position as a regional, national, and global leader for private-sector job growth,” says Steed. “NC Leads will ensure businesses in North Carolina continue to have a competitive advantage.”

The NC Leads effort will result in policy recommendations that achieve measurable improvement across all areas of competitiveness in North Carolina.

“North Carolina is experiencing unprecedented growth and opportunity,” says Bowman. “Through NC Leads, the NC Chamber Foundation is delivering the research and intelligence needed to support our state’s rapid growth. This work will benefit people and businesses across North Carolina.”

While the Foundation’s nonpartisan research, community engagement, and policy recommendations are closely aligned with the work of the NC Chamber and its affiliates, they remain different entities with separate, but connected bodies of work. The Foundation’s NC Leads plan is leveraged by a wide range of organizations that advocate for change and hold policymakers accountable to data-driven solutions.

Investors include: (Investors as of 4/30)

• Alex Lee
• Atrium Health
• AT&T North Carolina
• Biltmore Companies
• Biltmore Farms
• Biogen
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
• Burroughs Wellcome Fund
• Butterball
• Charter Communications
• Coca-Cola Consolidated
• Comerica Bank
• Cone Health
• Corning
• Curi
• Daughtridge Gas & Oil
• Delta Dental of North Carolina
• Dominion Energy
• Duke Energy
• ElectriCities of North Carolina
• Fifth Third Bank
• First Citizens Bank
• First Horizon Bank
• First National Bank
• Glen Raven
• Grady-White Boats
• Gregory Poole Equipment Company
• Hendrick Automotive and Hendrick Motorsports
• IBM
• Labcorp
• Lenovo
• Lowe’s Companies
• M&F Bank
• Martin Marietta
• Measurement Durham
• Mt. Olive Pickle Company
• North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives
• North Carolina Railroad Company
• Nucor
• PNC Bank
• Reynolds American
• Shurtape Technologies
• Smith Anderson
• SteelFab
• Truist Charitable Fund
• Truliant
• Verizon
• Vulcan
• WakeMed Health and Hospitals
• Wells Fargo

Additional information about the campaign and the five-year NC Leads plan is available at ncchamber.com/nc-leads/.

About the NC Chamber Foundation
The NC Chamber Foundation is creating a strong, sustainable future for business and communities across North Carolina. Through nonpartisan research and thoughtful collaboration, the NC Chamber Foundation serves as a convener and works to disseminate information related to complex challenges, craft sound policy recommendations, track progress, and drive a future-focused vision to expand economic growth and prosperity for all North Carolinians. The work of the NC Chamber Foundation is leveraged by the NC Chamber and aligned business organizations to advocate for change that positions North Carolina as a top-10 state to live, work, and do business. For more information, visit ncchamber.com/foundation.

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