Gov. Perdue Announces Small Business Initiatives as Part of 2010 Agenda

Press Release

Focus on Jobs, Education, and Setting Government Straight

Gov. Bev Perdue today announced her major policy priorities for the coming year -- jobs and the economy, education, setting government straight, and keeping communities safe. Gov. Perdue's goals in each of these areas will help North Carolina emerge from the economic recession stronger than before. Governor Perdue outlined her initiatives during speeches to the Charlotte Chamber and the Greensboro Partnership this week.

For Gov. Perdue, keeping and growing jobs in North Carolina is her No.1 priority -- and she recognizes the need for North Carolina to focus its economic development efforts not only on large companies, but also on the small businesses that make up 98% of all state businesses.

During her address, she announced the launch of a statewide small business initiative called Biz Boost. Biz Boost will help small businesses apply for credit, work on staffing, manage cash, and reduced costs. It will give small businesses access to the same kind of outside talent that big businesses often use to help them adapt and grow. The initiative has been successfully piloted already in Charlotte and will be replicated statewide through the Department of Commerce and the NC Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC).

Also, Gov. Perdue announced that during the spring legislative session she will propose tax incentives for small businesses that are born in North Carolina -- create jobs in North Carolina -- and stay in North Carolina.

"We must grow our own jobs and invest in our own businesses. We must strengthen the heart an soul of North Carolina's economy: innovation and small business," said Gov. Perdue.

In addition to her economic agenda, Gov. Perdue set out her agenda for education and government reform.

* Career and College -- Ready, Set, Go! will refocus our state's public schools on a single goal: every student, no matter where he or she live in North Carolina, must graduate from high school with what it takes to succeed in a career, in a two- or four-year college or technical training.

* Setting Government Straight: Strengthening ethics policies, zero-tolerance for unethical and illegal behavior, eliminating outdated programs and fighting waste, fraud and abuse including cracking down on Medicaid fraud.

* Keeping Communities Safe: continue taking steps to reform and strengthen public safety.

"I pledge to take reform to the next level. We will set government straight by cracking down on corruption -- strengthening ethics -- and fighting waste, fraud and abuse," said Perdue. "We will set government straight by tightening our belts and doing more with less -- just like families and businesses are doing all across North Carolina."

Governor Perdue's Prepared Remarks to Charlotte Chamber:

http://www.governor.state.nc.us/NewsItems/UploadedFiles/9535ead7-ec54-4a4d-8fc8-6f07e341dbd6.pdf

Source