Hope you had an opportunity to relax - but also honor the fallen - this past holiday weekend.  You may be itching to get back to the beach, but there's more to do before school [and Council, Aldermen, and Commissioners] gets out for summer.  Read about how you can advocate for your business interests. 

'Tis the season It's the most wonderful time of the year - it's time for local governments proposing and approving their respective budgets. Additionally, NC General Assembly members are having their own conversation about where your money will go. Here's information about Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County's budgets. Want to weigh in? Here's my suggestions on " How to Advocate for Your Business without Setting Foot in Town Hall."

• Carrboro: Budget, Public Hearing TONIGHT
• Chapel Hill: Budget, Meeting to Adopt Budget June 8 
• Orange County: Budget, Public Hearing May 28

Bond, Municipal Bond

Town of Chapel Hill Budget Director Ken Pennoyer

The Town of Chapel Hill is proposing a $40 million bond for the November 2015 ballot. Town Council will discuss the bond referendum more tomorrow, but we'll also have an opportunity to hear from the town's budget director Ken Pennoyer on both the bond referendum and the Town's budget. Join us 8-9:30 a.m., Thursday, June 4 in the Chamber's large conference room for our monthly Economic Development & Public Policy Committee.  Shaken, not stirred martinis not included.

Good clean fun

Interested in how clean energy can impact your bottom line? Chambers for Innovation & Clean Energy is hosting a legislative briefing by phone and webinar with two state legislators -- Sen. Jeff Tarte (R-Mecklenburg) and Rep. John Szoka (R-Cumberland) - 11 a.m., Friday, May 29. This call is designed for business leaders like you and it's free. Find out more and register today.

Celebrate good times

We won't have Kool & the Gang at our events, but we still hope you'll take time to recognize the best and celebrate new businesses and new spaces. Join us May 28 at the Business Excellence Awards (the BEAs) at PlayMakers to see who wins the awards for innovation, impact, and being simply the best. Then join us for a housewarming for Community Empowerment Fund May 29, a groundbreaking for Southern Village Hyatt Place June 4, and ribbon cutting for Kalisher also on June 4. Additionally, finish out the 4th with Leadership Chapel Hill-Carrboro's  Casino Night at Franklin Hotel. This is your celebration, so come on!