The survey found that: 1) While the overall economic impact on organizations remains positive, projections for strong growth declined and projections for moderate growth increased from 2018 to 2019. 2) The percentage of employees earning over $13.70 per hour continues to rise but views of local government as pro-business declined from 2018 to 2019. 3) While 80% of organizations projected sales growth in 2019, plans to add workers declined from 2018 although no organizations planned to reduce their workforce.

1. 2019 Economic Conditions
Survey Results
February 13, 2019 | Silverspot Cinema
Presented by Aaron Nelson, President and CEO
The Chamber

2. Impact of the Economy

3. Economic Impact Remains Positive Overall
44%
56%
3% 2%
50.4%
26%
6.1% 5%
73.2% 71%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
2008 2009 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019
How has the current state of the economy affected your
organization?
Negatively Not Much Positively

4. Wages

5. Percent of Employees earning more than $13.70
continues to rise.
56%
62%59%
67%71%
86%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
100% of employees greater than 80% of employees
What Percent of Your Employees Earn More $13.70 Per
Hour in 2018 (Living Wage)?
2016 2018 2019

6. Local Business Climate and
Local Government

7. Most Survey Respondents are Located in
Orange County
69%
4%
10%
2% 0%
15%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Orange Chatham Durham Wake Alamance Multiple
Where is your Organization Located?
2019

8. View of Local Government as “Very” or “Somewhat”
Pro-Business Declines
12.7%
54.0%
9.5%
19.0%
4.8%
6.4%
46.8%
31.9%
12.8%
2.2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Very Pro-
Business
Somewhat Pro-
Business
Neutral on
Business
Somewhat
Anti-Business
Very Anti-
Business
Thinking about the local business climate, would you say
that local government here is:
2018 2019

9. Percent of Members Reporting Pro Business
Government Declines to 53%
63.8%
52.6%
66.7%
53.2%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
2015 2016 2018 2019
Thinking about the local business climate, would you say
that local government here is:
Somewhat or Very Pro-Business

10. Performance Projections

11. Projection for “strong growth” declines, “moderate
growth” increases
12%
69%
16%
2%
24%
65%
10%
-5% 5% 15% 25% 35% 45% 55% 65% 75%
Strong Growth
Moderate Growth
Remain Flat
Decline
Given the state of the local economy, how do you
expect your organization to perform over the next 12
months?
2016 2018 2019

12. Projections for "Moderate or Strong Growth" Over the
Next 12 Months Returns to 2015 Levels
82.5%
75.8%
89.3%
81.5%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
2015 2016 2018 2019
Given the state of the local economy, how do you
expect your organization to perform over the next 12
months?
Strong to Moderate Growth

13. Sales Projections

14. 80% of Local Organizations Project Sales Growth
1.7% 8.2% 3.2%
4.9%
17.6% 23.0% 25.8%
14.6%
80.7%
68.9% 71.0% 80.5%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2015 2016 2018 2019
How do you expect your organization’s sales to change
during the next 12 months?
Decrease No Change Increase

15. Workforce Projections

16. Local Organizations’ Plans to Add Workers Declines,
No Plans to Reduce Workforce
5%
0% 2%
59%
46%
54%
36%
54%
44%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019
Does your organization have plans to increase or reduce
its workforce in the next 12 months?
Reduce Workforce No reduction or addition Add workers

17. 44% of Local Businesses Plan to Add Workers in 2019
35.8%
39.7%
29.8%
39.7%
46.1%
54.0%
43.8%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019
Does your organization have plans to increase or reduce
its workforce in the next 12 months?
Add workers