The Chamber of Catawba County Board of Directors has officially adopted our 2026 Legislative Agenda, which will guide our advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels in the year ahead.
Grounded in our commitment to strengthening the business climate and fostering long-term economic growth, this agenda outlines the public policy priorities we will advance on behalf of our business community.
2026 Priority Areas Include:
Transportation & Infrastructure – Advancing comprehensive transportation improvements, including funding for enhancements at the Hickory Regional Airport and sustainable transportation finance reform.
Reliable & Affordable Energy – Supporting timely investment in energy infrastructure while balancing sustainability, affordability, and regulatory oversight.
Education & Workforce Alignment – Championing policies that align education systems with workforce needs, including educator recruitment and retention, school construction funding, calendar flexibility, and sustained higher education support.
State Park Development – Supporting funding for a State Park in Catawba County, including the NC Wilderness Gateway State Trail.
Child Care Access – Expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care through increased investment, workforce support, and thoughtful regulatory flexibility.
Income-Aligned Housing – Advancing policies that reduce barriers and leverage public-private partnerships to make workforce housing more attainable.
👉 View the full 2026 Guiding Principles & Legislative Agenda here.
If you would like to engage in our advocacy efforts, we welcome your involvement.