President's Report from May 4, 2026

I want to applaud the Cape Fear Development team on their grand opening of Proximity Watermark last week. I sincerely wish I could have been there to see the sophisticated waterfront living they have created.  This project added much-needed housing, activates a unique waterfront setting, and reinforces the kind of thoughtful, connected development our community needs. 

Among your chamber’s top priorities is advancing meaningful solutions around housing accessibility. As our region continues to grow, the availability of workforce housing has become a critical factor in sustaining economic momentum. Employers across industries are feeling the impact, as housing challenges affect talent attraction, retention, and overall quality of life.

This week, a group of Chamber members will travel to Raleigh for Advocacy Day where we will meet with state legislators and ensure our region’s voice is heard on the issues that matter most to our business community. Those issues include transportation infrastructure investments (a replacement to the CFMB and the NC Ports Harbor Deepening project), investments in our education institutions and partners to ensure a prepared workforce, protecting our water sources and supply, among others.

Legislative proposals related to the barriers to bringing housing to market that will increase supply, inevitably influencing cost, are being discussed. By working collaboratively with our legislative partners, we can help champion these policies that support livable communities, expand housing options, and ensure our communities remain vibrant and accessible for all.