Washington, D.C. - Triangle-area Congressmen Bob Etheridge (NC-02), Brad Miller (NC-13) and David Price (NC-04) hosted a jobs roundtable at MCNC in Research Triangle Park today, hearing from a broad range of business and industry leaders about the jobs situation in the state. Congress is working on additional initiatives to improve our economy and create jobs.

Participants updated the Congressmen on the progress made toward rebuilding the local economy over the last year and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

"The industries represented at this roundtable are critical to our local, state, and national economy," Rep. David Price said. "In the Triangle, we are uniquely situated because we have businesses that are poised both to help bring us out of the current downturn and to help lay the foundation for an economic future that will benefit all families."

Attendees at the event included representatives from the Home Builders Association, MCNC, the Vice President for the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development and the President of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development.

"North Carolina has lost more manufacturing jobs than just about any other state," said Rep. Brad Miller. "Yet, our state and its business community will continue to weather the storm through innovation."

Jobs Roundtable participants discussed opportunities to create jobs in the Triangle in the short and long term. Many of the industries represented have also benefited from significant investments through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. They cited the need for additional credit availability to fund planned expansions. Major research programs at Duke University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have received over $200 million to conduct innovative biomedical and technology research.

"As a former small business owner, I know that local entrepreneurship drives prosperity and job creation," Rep. Bob Etheridge said. "Public officials must continue to partner with the private sector and non-profits to help companies access capital, which will allow them to create jobs and improve our economy."

Complete list of attendees:

Mark Pearce, Deputy Commissioner, North Carolina Commissioner of Banks

Farad Ali, Senior Vice President, North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development

Joan Siefert Rose, President, Council for Entrepreneurial Development

Maria Kingrey, Southern Energy Management

Benjamin J. Matthews, Director, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Ivan Hankins, Senior Area Manager, U.S. Small Business Administration

MaryBe McMillan, Secretary-Treasurer, North Carolina State AFL-CIO

Asst. Secretary John Morrison, North Carolina Department Commerce

Mike Carpenter, Home Builders Association

Dr. Stephen Scott, President of Wake Technical Community College

Dempsey Benton, North Carolina Office of Economic Recovery & Investment

Courtney Crowder, Legislative Director, Office of Governor Bev Perdue

Joe Freddosso, MCNC

Rick Weddle, Research Triangle Park Foundation

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