Economic Developers Engage Lawmakers at NCEDA 2026 Legislative Breakfast and Advocacy Day
Jenn Bosser, President & CEO, Iredell EDC joined economic development professionals from across North Carolina in Raleigh on May 13 for the North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA) 2026 Legislative Breakfast and Legislative Day, reinforcing the critical connection between public policy and economic growth across the state. The annual event brought together local, regional, and state economic development leaders to engage directly with members of the North Carolina General Assembly, discuss shared priorities, and advocate for policies that support business recruitment, workforce development, and long-term economic competitiveness.
The Legislative Breakfast served as a key opportunity to highlight the vital role economic developers play in shaping North Carolina’s economic future. Attendees emphasized the importance of strong collaboration between elected officials and economic development organizations to ensure the state remains competitive in attracting new investment and supporting existing industries.
A guiding theme throughout the day underscored that strong communities and a strong economy don’t happen by accident—they are shaped by thoughtful policies, long-term investment, and leaders who understand what it takes to help North Carolina compete and grow.
Christopher Skibinski, SIOR, Managing Director at Avison Young, provided a forward-looking perspective on the trends shaping industrial real estate and site selection noting key factors influencing economic development today, including:
- The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for operations, site selection, and workforce needs
- Evolving workforce dynamics and the importance of talent development and training partnerships
- Rising power and energy demands tied to advanced manufacturing and technology-driven industries
- Industrial real estate trends, including demand for large-scale, development-ready sites
- Strategies for maintaining North Carolina’s competitive edge in an increasingly competitive global market
As part of the day’s advocacy efforts, Iredell EDC scheduled meetings with key legislators, including Representative Jeff McNeely, Representative Todd Carver, and Senator Vickie Sawyer, to discuss issues critical to the region and state.
Conversations focused on:
- Current project activity and recruitment efforts
- Workforce challenges and opportunities, including training and talent pipeline development
- NCEDA’s 2026 Legislative Agenda, which outlines priorities identified by economic development professionals across North Carolina
These discussions provided an opportunity to share Iredell County’s local perspective while reinforcing alignment with broader statewide priorities.
At the center of Legislative Day was a shared focus on advancing policies that enable growth and opportunity. NCEDA’s 2026 Legislative Priorities focus on the issues that matter most to economic development professionals and the communities they serve across our state.
These priorities emphasize the importance of:
- Strategic infrastructure and site readiness investments
- Workforce development and education alignment
- Competitive economic development tools
- Sustainable growth and long-term planning
Following the breakfast, attendees participated in Legislative Day visits, meeting with lawmakers to advocate for these priorities and highlight the real-world impact of economic development initiatives in their communities.
The strong turnout and engagement throughout the day demonstrated the value of NCEDA’s Legislative Day as a unified voice for the state’s economic development community. By bringing together professionals from across North Carolina, the event showcased a shared commitment to fostering sustainable growth and expanding opportunity statewide.
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