The North Carolina Legislative Caucus on Economic Development and Foreign Trade (“EDFT Caucus”) is pleased to announce its re-establishment for the 2025-2026 biennium. Originally formed in 2023, the EDFT Caucus is dedicated to promoting economic growth, enhancing foreign trade relations, and fostering innovation across the state.
With its reestablishment for the new biennium, the EDFT Caucus now stands at 81 bipartisan members across both the House and Senate, which is more than double the caucus’ founding membership of 37 members in 2023. During the previous biennium, the EDFT Caucus looked at the economic impact of transportation infrastructure, megasites, and workforce development. The Caucus also established the Manufacturing Study Committee in Summer of 2024, which will continue to be led by Senator Jim Burgin as Senior Chair in the new biennium.
In the new biennium, the caucus will focus on addressing the state’s growing energy needs, continued support for workforce development initiatives to improve social mobility and meet workforce needs of businesses, as well as to continue to promote economic growth in rural areas.
Founding co-chairs Rep. John Bell (R – Wayne) and Rep. Robert Reives (D – Chatham, Randolph) will continue their leadership in the House and are joined by Sen. Jim Burgin (R – Harnett, Lee, Sampson) and Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D – Wake) as the inaugural co-chairs on the Senate side, reflecting stronger cooperation across both legislative chambers.
“Our state’s economy thrives when legislators work together to attract investment, create jobs, and support businesses of all sizes,” said Rep. Reives. “With a larger and more engaged caucus, we are well-positioned to advance policies that drive economic prosperity.”
“I’m pleased to join my colleagues in re-establishing this important, bipartisan caucus,” said Rep. John Bell. “It is critical that we continue to work together to find solutions to support job creation, workforce development and economic growth.”
“With the changing world economy and a renewed focus on US manufacturing, we need to make sure we’re preparing to welcome industries into North Carolina through any necessary future legislation to support those efforts,” said Sen. Jim Burgin.
“Over the past eight years, the Governor and General Assembly, Democrats and Republicans have come together to recruit companies and create high-paying jobs across our state,” said Sen. Chaudhuri. “I look forward to continuing to build on our state’s momentum and remain as one of the best places to do business in America.”
As the caucus embarks on this new biennium, members look forward to engaging with industry leaders, economic development experts, and local stakeholders to develop legislative solutions that keep North Carolina competitive for jobs, industries, and economic success.
