Article re-posted from https://jwpf.org/stories/ncfreeenterprisefoundation/

Building a Better Business Climate in the Old North State

https://www.slideshare.net/secret/h6Gxo5srm5i0Mj 

Businesses, large and small, are the driving force behind North Carolina’s economy, but decisions made by the legislature can have a significant impact on entrepreneurs’ ability to grow and create jobs.  Educating businesses about the political environment is why the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation (NCFEF) exists.

Based in Raleigh, NCFEF is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides political research and analysis to the business community.

“People say, ‘Are you a think tank,’ and I say, ‘No, we’re more an “explain it” tank.’  Our mission is to create opportunities for business leaders to understand political information better so they feel more comfortable and competent in engaging in the political process themselves,” said Joe Stewart, Executive Director of NCFEF.  “By providing objective analysis, we attempt to demystify politics for business people.”

Stewart makes it clear that NCFEF’s goal is not a partisan one.  “We don’t endorse candidates, but rather provide the information and make it possible for business people to make their own decisions based on sound, impartial research, and so our work is primarily to inform.”

Challenges in North Carolina

Stewart tends to hear positive feedback about NCFEF when interacting with the business community.  He said that people are often appreciative of NCFEF’s willingness to connect with them, but they also are concerned about getting business more engaged with the political process.  For Stewart, educating leaders and managers about the value of dialogue between the two entities is important.

“I tell people, I’ve been in politics for most of my adult life, and there is not a moment on election night when the heavens part and God imbues the winning candidate with all the knowledge they’re going to need to make good, informed policy decisions. It’s got to be something that you do, to sit down and explain, ‘this is what makes it possible for my company to succeed,’” said Stewart.

For that reason, NCFEF intends to continue speaking appearances, even in off-election years.  “If somebody needs a presentation made to their group, their business trade association, their local chamber, government affairs committee, senior management team, I go. I will go, because, in my mind, it’s preaching gospel. It’s a chance to stand before a group and say politics is not some magical thing; It is all understandable,” said Stewart.

For more information about NCFEF, including information about their Thinker’s Lunches (open to the public) and how to request a guest speaker for your event, visit www.ncfef.org.  You can also find them on Facebook.