The North Carolina Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Margaret Dickson for State Senate in District 19. The North Carolina Chamber supports candidates whose professional background and record on key business issues demonstrate a commitment to preserving and enhancing a positive climate for business and jobs in North Carolina.

USA Today said North Carolina is one of the 10 state’s leading the country out of the Great Recession. Forbes magazine recently ranked North Carolina the “3^rd Best State To Do Business.”

Dickson has also received the support of Merchants PAC (M*PAC), a Political Action Committee formed by the NC Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA). The Association is made up of more than 25,000 local independent retail businesses as well as larger retail chains. North Carolina retail is the second largest employer in the state.

Dickson, who ran a successful local family business for over 25 years, is serving her first term in the North Carolina Senate after being appointed in January 2010 to represent District 19. The district covers all of Bladen and parts of Cumberland County. Sen. Dickson is Vice-Chairman of the Commerce Committee and also serves as a member on, Appropriations on Education/Higher Education, Appropriations/Base Budget, Finance, Judiciary I, Transportation and Rules and Operations of the Senate.

Kay Paksoy of NASW-NC said, “We support Senator Dickson in her race because she upholds the integrity of the social work profession. In her work in the legislature, we have seen Senator Dickinson support the work of social workers and our clients and work to better the state of North Carolina.”

M*PAC endorsements are given based on a candidates concern for issues facing the retail community, which provides 654,000 jobs in North Carolina. Dickson, who ran a successful local family business for over 25 years, has focused much of her agenda in the General Assembly on legislation that supports economic development, workforce development and job creation in North Carolina.

Since the recession officially ended in June 2009, a group of about 10 states that have outperformed the nation almost continuously for 25 or more years again is generating new income at a faster pace than the rest of the nation.

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This is the second law enforcement group to come out in support of Dickson’s candidacy for state senate. The Greater Cumberland Area Lodge #59 of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) endorsed Dickson earlier this month.

Dickson was honored to receive the support of state and local educators saying, “Our educators are building the workforce that will attract and retain jobs in our state. They are in our classrooms everyday on the front lines fighting for North Carolina’s future. I am honored that they see me as an effective partner in that fight.”

“This endorsement means a great deal to me both professionally and personally. I am truly honored to have earned the confidence of our local law enforcement officers” said Dickson.

“Margaret Dickson’s stellar reputation in the community and commitment to fairness, justice and honesty are the characteristics we look for in a State Senator” explained Lester Lowe, President of the Greater Cumberland FOP Chapter. Lowe went on to say, “We look forward to the same working relationship that we have always had (with Dickson) on law enforcement issues.”

According to the application, Elizabethtown will receive the funds to clear two dilapidated dwellings and relocate two households and to rehabilitate eight deteriorated dwellings in the Pinkey Street Project Area.  They will install 550 linear feet of 6-inch public water line; install 200 linear feet of force main and pump; pave 360 linear feet and resurface 190 linear feet of streets; and install 200 linear feet of drainage pipe.

Senator Dickson, Vice Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, strongly supported this grant.  She said, “An important part of improving our economy is making an area viable for new businesses and homes.  This revitalization grant for Elizabethtown will go a long way and I am pleased that they will receive it.”

- Dan Besse, Chair, Headwaters Campaign

The “Race to the Top” program rewards states willing to embrace innovative and aggressive strategies to improve education. “This investment is a win for North Carolina’s future. Lawmakers came together with the Governor and education leaders to make this happen for our children” said Sen. Margaret Dickson. Dickson supported legislation in May which was key to strengthening North Carolina’s grant application.

Sen. Dickson called the states proposal to build a network of schools focused on math and science “a direct investment in job creation and strengthening our workforce.”  Dickson added, “We must educate and prepare our people to compete for jobs not only with our neighbors in Virginia but with people on the other side of the world. North Carolina must be ambitious.”

Margaret Dickson is serving her first term in the North Carolina Senate after being appointed in January 2010 to represent District 19. The district covers all of Bladen and parts of Cumberland County. Sen. Dickson is Vice-Chairman of the Commerce Committee and also serves as a member on, Appropriations on Education/Higher Education, Appropriations/Base Budget, Finance, Judiciary I, Transportation and Rules and Operations of the Senate.