While federal and state politics often grab headlines, local politics at the county and municipal levels can greatly affect commercial real estate and daily life. As a result, active advocacy efforts at the local level can pay dividends for NAIOP chapters. Throughout 2025, NAIOP Charlotte worked tirelessly on behalf of a referendum in Mecklenburg County concerning transportation investment. Their efforts were rewarded when voters approved the referendum last November.
For years, local groups in Mecklenburg County like NAIOP Charlotte have fought to get a referendum concerning transit on the ballot. Supporters claimed new investment was necessary to address Charlotte’s alarming increase in traffic deaths caused by unsustainable street congestion. Official language finally passed through the North Carolina General Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support last summer for a referendum during the 2025 elections. With a 1% increase in the sales tax, it was projected to raise $20 billion over the next 30 years that would be split between roads, rail, and buses. Short-term priorities included new bus routes and micro-transit options, while light rail and road improvements were long-term targets. Moreover, it would establish a 27-member board known as the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority with members appointed by Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, all six other towns in the county, Governor Josh Stein, and leadership from both chambers of the General Assembly.
Seeing this as an important opportunity for growth and development in the area, NAIOP Charlotte played a pivotal role in the effort to pass the referendum. In addition to their contributions to a public information campaign that ultimately raised $3.2 million, they also hosted discussions regarding the referendum and encouraged members to organize their own town halls and voter outreach efforts. They also supported and shared a voter guide produced by a local real estate coalition that endorsed the referendum and candidates who supported it. Clearly, this was an important issue to the development community.
The referendum ultimately passed during the November election. Since then, NAIOP Charlotte has continued their efforts through involvement in its implementation. This paid off further as a past president of NAIOP Charlotte was appointed to the new Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority. Beyond just the funding, the commercial real estate industry now has a voice in how exactly the funds will be spent.
At the federal level, transportation and infrastructure make up one of NAIOP’s three major priorities for 2026. As federal surface transportation programs expire later this year, Congress must at least maintain current spending levels for highways, freight rail and any other critical transportation infrastructure that relies on federal spending. Stability and availability of infrastructure play a major role in real estate development decisions, as well as in facilitating the supply chain.
Specific policy is not one-size-fits-all. Every locality has its own priorities and requirements. To be most effective, local advocacy should be tailored to meet the specific needs of the community. Regarding its own transportation priorities, NAIOP Charlotte’s success demonstrates that advocating for a solution that works for a locality, coupled with effort and persistence, can be an effective method to achieve any goal and influence policy outcomes.
