You're not thinking turkeys and stuffing during these months of sun and strawberries, but it's still important to "think Thanksgiving" and show your gratitude. Consider participating in our annual event to show our appreciation to local government officials and staff and make sure that you tell Council members thank you for their vote to move Chapel Hill forward. Also, your opinion is solicited! In addition to our annual Member Survey, the Town of Chapel Hill is asking for your input on LUMO revisions and the state Chamber is asking your feedback on taxes and economic development. Read more below in this month's Government Matters!

Local Government Appreciation Reception

Photo credit: Nicholas C. Johnson

Join us 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, June 30 at the Carolina Club for our Local Government Appreciation Reception presented by PSNC Energy. This annual event offers an opportunity to meet informally with, and show the business community's gratitude toward, elected officials from Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, in addition to local government senior staff. Register online today! (Chamber board members, EDPP members, and  Major Investors receive a free ticket).  Contact Kristen with any questions.   

Obey Creek approved

On June 15, Chapel Hill Town Council approved the Obey Creek development agreement by a vote of 7-1, with Ed Harrison as the lone opposing vote. Read more at Storify, chapelboro.com, and the Daily Tar Heel about the 1.6 million square feet mixed use development, and take the time to say *thank you* to those who cast their votes for progress and economic development.  You can email mayorandcouncil@townofchapelhill.org or contact  Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt or Council Members Donna Bell, George Cianciolo,  Sally Greene, Lee Storrow, and Jim Ward directly.

Help make the changes you want to see

Photo credit: Ben Shields

The Town of Chapel Hill is continuing their efforts to revise the Land Use Management Ordinance (LUMO).  Why does this matter to your business? Because the Town is looking to revamp regulations pertaining to  B&Bs, accessory dwellings, signage,  parking lot landscaping, and water quality. Find out more information at townofchapelhill.org/lumo and use this new tool to write comments on the actual ordinance.  

NC Chamber wants your feedback

Both chambers of the General Assembly are debating a *huge* bill on taxes and economic development, including a Senate proposal to redistribute sales tax revenue.  Read more in the Times-News and the N&O, but please send us a quick email to weigh in on any of the following questions (where they are applicable to you and your business):

• What is the impact of a reduction in the sales tax refund for non-profits cap from $45 million to $1 million over 4 years?
• What impact will the proposed changes to the Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) formula mean to economic development in your area/region? (Find the new proposed formula on page 1 of the Summary of Plan Components document).
• What impact will a reduction in the franchise tax from a rate of 1.5% per $1,000 to 1.0% per $1,000 have on your business? Also, what will increasing the minimum tax from $35 to $200 mean?
• What companies take advantage of the 1%/$80 tax that applies to mill machinery and what impact will a change to 4.75%/$500 have on your business?
• What impact do further reductions in the corporate income tax (4% in 2016 and 3% in 2017) and personal income tax to 5.5% mean for businesses (fiscal impact here)?