NC Chamber president offers upbeat message
by: Sarah Melton
(2/26/2010)
North Carolina Chamber of Commerce President Lew Ebert (center) speaks with Gaston College Small Business Center chairman Brad Rivers (left) and Lincoln County School System superintendent David Martin during the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Networking Luncheon at First Baptist Church in Lincolnton on Wednesday. Ebert was the quest speaker for the luncheon and encouraged businesses to remain positive during the current recession. Seth Mabry / LTN Photo
N.C. Chamber of Commerce President Lew Ebert brought a positive message to Lincoln County residents and business owners this week.
“I am optimistic about North Carolina’s resilience, about our potential to emerge from this economic storm stronger and better than we even were before,” he said.
“Make no mistake about it — it won’t happen on its own. It will take creativity, strong will, involvement and targeted action from each of us — and from our elected leaders at both the state and federal levels — to make sure North Carolina is still a leading state when the Great Recession is truly behind us.”
Ebert was the guest speaker at the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce’s Networking Luncheon on Wednesday.
He said the most important issue on North Carolinians’ minds is job creation, economic recovery and security.
At 11.2 percent, the state’s unemployment rate in December hit its highest point in more than 30 years. Some economists predict that number will continue to grow.
The state has lost 250,000 jobs since the Great Recession began in December 2007. The state has paid out more than $6.5 billion in unemployment benefits to 675,000 residents.
With unemployment numbers showing little improvement, many people are left feeling anxious and uneasy, Ebert said.
“We need to work closely with our government leaders at all levels to enable businesses to invest again in job creation and to invest in our future,” he said.
“The Lincolnton Chamber can be a catalyst for improving the climate for business expansion.
Education is another area where state and local communities much engage in to shape the state’s future, Ebert said.
“When students do not finish high school, it puts our state at a competitive disadvantage in terms of luring jobs and investment,” he said.
Besides an education, employers are looking for workers with more science, technology, engineering and math skills.
“The future requires new skills and higher standards,” Ebert said.
A globally competitive business climate will position the state to attract, grow and retain good jobs for residents, Ebert said.
“Competitiveness and economic growth comes down to one thing,” he said. “Certainty. Certainty for employers, certainty for employees, both of which leads to confidence and growth.”
Labor law issues, national healthcare reform efforts, tax and regulatory issues are only building to the uncertainty, Ebert said.
“These sweeping proposals and potential for outcomes that could negatively affect the national deficit and cost-of-doing-business are creating uncertainty that makes it very difficult for employers to steer through this challenging economic environment,” Ebert said.
Ebert encouraged those attending the luncheon to be a positive and proactive voice for jobs, economic recovery and growth.
“With the involvement of all of you here today, we can help to ensure that North Carolina is a leader in the world in jobs retention, job creation and quality of life,” he said.
