News from the Chamber - November 7th, 2023

Building Business for a Strong Community

Tuesday, November 7th, 2023

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Special Update from the County

Poplar Drive Fire Update

11.07.2023

The Poplar Drive Fire in Henderson County remains a concern. The fire encompasses 431 acres and is currently 5% contained, indicating specific sections of the fire line where immediate escape risks have been reduced. Firefighting efforts are primarily focused on protecting structures at risk, while the N.C. Forest Service is working on constructing fire lines to prevent further spread. This update follows an assessment that revealed damage to 1 home, the destruction of 2 homes, 1 outbuilding, and 1 uninhabited cabin, with the fire's cause still under investigation.

In response to the heightened fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has imposed a ban on open burning and canceled burning permits in Henderson County since Sunday, November 5. Additionally, Henderson County declared a State of Emergency to facilitate the protection of life and property and seek additional state and federal resources to support the firefighting efforts. The community's unity and support have been vital during this crisis, with ample supplies currently on hand. As the fire situation continues to evolve, residents are advised to stay informed about air quality alerts and take precautions to protect their health, particularly for vulnerable individuals.

Henderson County Emergency Management extends its heartfelt gratitude to the public for the incredible support received during this challenging time. The community has rallied together to provide essential supplies, and as a result, they are currently well-stocked with necessities. At this moment, there is no need for further donations of bread, meat, or cheese. Any future requirements will be communicated through various public channels.

To stay up to date on this situation, please follow the Henderson County Facebook Page.

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Chamber Delegation's Advocacy Trip to Washington DC

Bridging Local and National Issues

11.07.23

A delegation of Chamber representatives from Henderson, Buncombe, and McDowell Counties traveled to Washington, D.C. in October to advocate for our region. Our delegation included 8 members from the Henderson County Chamber, 3 from the McDowell County Chamber, and 2 from the Asheville Area Chamber. Our shared goal was to engage policy-makers regarding critical issues affecting our region and our local economy.

During the trip, we were able to advocate on critical national issues, such as Labor Relations, Tax Policy, Inflation, National Debt & Deficit, Workforce Development, Housing, and Childcare. We were also able to focus on local issues, such as funding for the Carl Sandburg Home dam repair project, and to thank legislators for their continued support for the Asheville Regional Airport, Interstate 26, and the Ecusta Trail.

The group also received policy briefings from the Bipartisan Policy Center on Housing and Workforce Development, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Immigration Reform, Tax Policy, and Workforce Development. Many of the concerns of our members are shared by businesses throughout the United States, providing us with valuable insights and a broader context for these issues.

Our trip was a success largely due to the support we received from Congressman Chuck Edwards and his able staff. The Congressman provided our group with a briefing on major issues impacting our region, and his staff helped with the coordination of key meetings and guiding us around Capital Hill. They were fantastic hosts.

In addition to meeting with Congressman Edwards and his staff, we were honored to meet with Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, as well as their D.C. staffs. We expressed our appreciation for the work they accomplish on our behalf.

From the other side of the aisle, we met with Jim McCleskey, Director of the NC Washington Office in D.C. All of these offices are vital to our advocacy efforts impacting Western North Carolina. We thank them all for their time and interest in our region.

For more information regarding the Chamber's Public Policy Committee and Public Policy efforts please contact Bob at the Chamber (bob@hendersoncountychamber.org).

A Looming Workforce Problem is Accelerating - and Child-Care Costs are Playing a Big Role

Article from The Business Journals

Shared by Land of Sky Regional Council

10.25.2023

Rising child-care costs may end up pushing more women out of the workforce, according to fresh data from Bank of America.

In September, an increase in the number of prime-age men in the workforce was offset by a drop in the number of prime-age women working, which comes after years of gains, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

At the same time, child-care spending per household in September was 32% higher than the 2019 average. With women bearing the brunt of child-care responsibilities, that could lead to more women leaving the workforce, according to a report by Bank of America.

“One possibility is that a lack of affordable child care is driving women to leave or not enter the labor market, given that child-care responsibilities have traditionally fallen more on mothers,” the report said. "While day care and preschool prices have a weighting of less than 1% in the [Consumer Price Index] calculation — meaning that, for all U.S. consumers, the spending share on child care is small — any further increase in prices would disproportionally weigh on families with young children.”

Growth in child-care costs and the drop-off of women in the workforce in September may be a precursor to even higher costs. The $24 billion Child Care Stabilization program passed during the pandemic also expired at the end of September, creating what experts had warned was a child-care cliff.