2010 State Issues:  Economic Development

Jobs tax credit/BEST Legislation:  maintain the current level of tax credits for the BEST legislation and enterprise zones.  Maintain the same sales tax exemption for the jobs tax credit and other economic development incentives to stimulate the economy and job growth.  Recommend suspending the tier level during times of high unemployment.

Traditional Industries Program:  maintain the level of funding for the Traditional Industries program.  This program assists Georgia food processing, forest products, and carpet/fiber/fabric industries focus on innovation and competitiveness by bringing together academia and industry to focus on manufacturing issues through research and technical capabilities of the University System of Georgia to address industry-wide needs.

Transportation funding:  support for regional transportation funding which will allow neighboring counties to work together on regional transportation issues.  Support highly managed state-wide transportation road projects.

Transportation I-75 to I-85:  re-open the concept of a northern arc to link I-75 to I-85.  The congestion in Atlanta is significant and needs to be alleviated or at least mitigated.  The carpet industry has one of the largest truck fleets in the US and a significant portion flows through Atlanta.

Pre-K Funding:  secure funding mechanisms for communities that offer Pre-K programs. 

Dalton State College:  protect funding for Dalton State College.

Federal Issues:
Employee Free Choice Act:  The Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce is opposed to H. R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act.  This bill would eliminate secret ballot elections in employee union authorizations.  The Chamber supports protecting employee rights with the integrity of a secret ballot.