Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

 

The Lincoln Chamber’s key federal objectives for 2011:

 

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING – As we continue to plan and build for private investment growth, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce views the shortfall in infrastructure funding as one of the biggest obstacles facing communities across Nebraska, as well as across our nation. Failure to address this funding shortfall will have serious economic implications for our state and nation, including its major cities. The Lincoln Chamber will work cooperatively with the City of Lincoln, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations & coalitions to develop and advance solutions.  Infrastructure funding will be a primary focus of our federal policy efforts.  The Lincoln Chamber will continue to support efforts to secure federal funds related to Lincoln’s South and East Beltway projects. The Lincoln Chamber calls upon our federal delegation to prioritize and work diligently toward funding solutions as they consider reauthorization of the federal highway bill.

 

RESEARCH & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – The Lincoln Chamber will place strong emphasis on supporting research-related federal requests that are complementary to the strategic plan adopted by the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development. The Lincoln Chamber is certain that significant opportunities exist for University of Nebraska campuses to benefit from grants and other sources to fund research & development projects. Further, the Lincoln Chamber believes innovation is essential to job and investment growth in today’s economy, and that university research provides a base for such innovation. Capitalizing on opportunities for public/private partnerships that leverage such research to create high-quality jobs and build our innovation capacity will be essential to Nebraska’s future growth. The Lincoln Chamber will work cooperatively with the University of Nebraska, 2015 Vision, the City of Lincoln and other organizations & coalitions to help secure federal research funding, facility funding, and economic development funding.  

 

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY – The Lincoln Chamber believes federal elected officials must address entitlement reform and federal spending discipline as serious issues facing our country. Health care system overhaul legislation was enacted with a promise the new health care entitlement would produce substantial deficit reduction. The promised deficit reduction will require a dramatic change in the way the U.S. Congress operates.  The Lincoln Chamber calls upon all NE federal delegation members to support greater fiscal discipline, to focus on productive expenditures, and practice reasoned spending restraint in the adoption of federal budgets in order to create a more competitive climate for private sector job growth.

 

ENERGY POLICY – The Lincoln Chamber believes our economic future and competitive position are closely tied to our national energy policy. Federal policy initiatives should support: 1) Agriculture’s vital role in developing sustainable energy; 2) Market-based, long-term plans to create more available and affordable energy; and 3) Rational & economic-based approaches on energy incentives.

 

CVB AND EVENT FACILITIES NEEDS – The Lincoln Chamber will work to support and assist the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau in working to execute its mission of bringing more visitors, events, and conventions to the Lincoln area.  The Lincoln Chamber will support efforts to secure federal funding related to development of the West Haymarket Arena, new sports fields, environmental assessments, infrastructure, and planning for the West Haymarket sports triangle.

 

Approved by Board of Directors, November 11, 2010.