President's Report from May 26, 2026

As transportation funding conversations intensify across North Carolina, the Greater Wilmington Chamber believes our region’s leaders must remain focused, aligned, and prepared to advocate aggressively for the infrastructure investments our growing region needs. That is especially important right now as the Wilmington Urban Area MPO considers removing the Independence Boulevard Extension project from the local STIP at the same time the state may soon see one of the largest transportation funding reshuffles in recent years. 

Over the past several weeks, state leaders have been closely watching the future of the proposed I-77 South toll lane project in Mecklenburg County. Approximately $700 million in transportation funding had been tied to that project through North Carolina’s Strategic Transportation Investments (STI) process. After regional leaders withdrew support for the project, questions are now emerging about whether some of that funding could ultimately become available for other transportation priorities across the state.

At the same time, the North Carolina General Assembly has ordered a review of the STI formula through House Bill 1109. That study will examine how transportation projects are prioritized and funded statewide, with recommendations expected later this year. For communities across North Carolina, these conversations matter because transportation funding is highly competitive. If major funding becomes available again, regions across the state will compete aggressively to advance their projects. From the Chamber’s perspective, this comes at a critical time for southeastern North Carolina.

Our region has experienced rapid population growth, congestion, and pressure on current infrastructure systems. Transportation infrastructure directly affects workforce mobility, economic competitiveness, public safety, freight movement, housing accessibility, and quality of life. That is why the Greater Wilmington Chamber continues to champion replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge as our region’s top infrastructure priority while also advocating for acceleration of key regional transportation projects, including the Eastwood Road/Military Cutoff interchange and improvements along the College Road, Market Street, and Gordon Road corridors.

The Chamber also continues to support modernization and diversification of North Carolina’s transportation funding structure, including exploration of long-term regional funding solutions that can help growing communities better address infrastructure needs. As statewide competition for transportation funding potentially increases, maintaining alignment around long-term regional priorities becomes increasingly important. Projects that lose local priority status can become far more difficult to advance in future funding cycles.

The decisions made over the next several months could shape transportation investment across North Carolina for years to come. Southeastern North Carolina must continue speaking with a clear and coordinated voice about the infrastructure investments necessary to support the people, businesses, and communities already here while responsibly preparing for future growth.