North Carolina Chamber

06/05/2026

Registration is now open for the NC Chamber's 2026 Education & Workforce Conference, presented by Workday. Join us in Raleigh on Tuesday, Aug. 4, for one of the only convenings in North Carolina that brings educators and business leaders together to build practical, forward-looking workforce solutions. This year's agenda goes beyond traditional keynotes and panels, with breakout sessions focused on scaling work-based learning, strengthening employer engagement in program design, and making skills data actionable for employers and educators. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas and meaningful connections to help move this work forward.

Register > https://ncchamber.com/event/conference-on-education/

06/04/2026

NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido and Vice President of Government Affairs Jake Cashion traveled to Ireland and Northern Ireland last week to strengthen relationships in the region and explore opportunities that support North Carolina's economic competitiveness. Meetings with business, chamber of commerce, and government leaders focused on advancing partnerships in trade, investment, innovation, and workforce development.

The visit built on the NC Chamber’s growing international engagement efforts and reinforces the strong connections developing between North Carolina, Ireland, and Northern Ireland.

Read More > https://ncchamber.com/2026/06/03/nc-chamber-leaders-advance-international-partnerships-in-ireland-and-northern-ireland/

06/02/2026

The Carolina Hurricanes are back in the Final for the first time in 20 years, and the NC Chamber team says ! 🏒❤️ Need a quick primer before puck drop tonight? Check out this Axios guide to catch up on the team, the players, and the fan traditions that make playoff hockey in North Carolina special.

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New to hockey? Meet the stars, learn the chants and find the best places to watch in Raleigh.

06/02/2026

North Carolina’s right-to-work status has played an important role in establishing the state as a national leader in economic competitiveness and job growth. Last week, NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido issued a statement regarding Senate Bill 1082, an act to amend the Constitution of North Carolina to ensure the right to work for all North Carolinians. North Carolina has protected the right to work without mandatory union membership since the 1940s. The proposed constitutional amendment would strengthen that longstanding policy by placing those protections directly into the North Carolina Constitution.

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Today NC Chamber President and CEO Gary J. Salamido issued the following statement regarding Senate Bill 1082, an act to amend the Constitution of North Carolina to ensure the right to work for all North Carolinians. “No one in North Carolina should have to join a union or pay union dues just to h...

06/02/2026

New reporting from Carolina Journal spotlighted insights shared during a recent NC Chamber Ag Allies webinar on growing fertilizer supply chain challenges and the implications for North Carolina agriculture. NC Chamber members heard directly from Corey Rosenbusch, president and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute, on global market pressures, geopolitical instability, and fertilizer supply trends shaping conditions for farmers and agricultural businesses. The discussion reinforced the importance of supply chain resilience and highlighted challenges facing North Carolina producers amid rising costs and broader economic pressures.
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Fertilizer prices have risen, placing farmers under continued pressure. Some ag experts suggest maximizing the US sourcing.

05/29/2026

In a recent episode of Workforce Rewired, a podcast from Catapult Employers Association, NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido discusses the challenges small businesses face in recruiting and retaining employees. The NC Chamber is tackling the top three most cited issues — healthcare, housing, and childcare — through , advocacy efforts, and research. Plus, Gary and Catapult President & CEO Dr. Cheryl L. Richards share how small businesses are capitalizing on their inherent agility to find creative solutions to problems like complex regulatory environments and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

Watch >

How are small employers navigating the complex intersection of talent, technology, and economic uncertainty? In this episode of Workforce Rewired, host Chery...

05/28/2026

ICYMI: NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido was recently named the 2026 NC Small Business Advocate of the Year by the SBTDC. The recognition reflects years of dedicated work on behalf of North Carolina's small business community.

At the heart of that work is , the NC Chamber's health plan option designed specifically for small businesses, their employees, and their families. Since launching last November, more than 1,000 small businesses across the state have signed on — a direct result of Gary's leadership and commitment to making sure NC small businesses have the resources they need to compete.

Read More > ncchamber.com/2026/05/06/salamido-small-business-advocate-of-the-year/

05/28/2026

More than 1,000 small businesses are now offering health insurance to their employees through . In a recent feature on the Spectrum News 1 North Carolina program “In Focus,” NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido, Blue Cross NC executive Kelly Calabria and North Carolina Rep. Kyle Hall shared the story of how the innovative partnership came to be and the impact it’s having on North Carolina businesses and the people who work in them. https://ncchamber.com/2026/05/27/more-than-1000-small-businesses-enrolled-in-carolina-healthworks/

05/26/2026

research continues to elevate housing as a critical competitiveness issue for North Carolina and inform state-level efforts aimed at increasing housing access. Last week, Gov. Governor Josh Stein cited Foundation research when announcing executive action to address housing supply challenges across the state. The NC Chamber Foundation’s 2025 housing gap analysis found North Carolina faces a shortage of 764,000 homes through 2029, and closing the state’s housing gap could generate $489 billion in economic activity and nearly 2.2 million jobs.

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The governor appointed a new senior adviser for housing policy, who will oversee efforts to increase the state’s housing supply.

05/26/2026

Staying informed is one of the most important things a small business owner can do — and the NC Chamber's Main Street Matters newsletter ensures you never miss what matters.

Published the first Monday of every month, Main Street Matters delivers statewide small business news, resources, and NC Chamber updates straight to your inbox. This resource is open to members and non-members alike.

Subscribe at the link below.

Subscribe > ncchamber.com/main-street-matters-newsletter/