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Charlotte's top business leaders optimistic about 2017

By Jim Bradley
By Jim Bradley

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte’s top business executives said 2016 came with plenty of surprises but they’re still optimistic about the prospects for 2017.

At the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce’s yearly economic outlook, forum leaders at Bank of America and Wells Fargo joined CEOs from Duke Energy and Premier Healthcare in offering thoughts on the political and business landscape.

At Duke Energy, CEO Lynn Good said she’s anxious to see how Donald Trump’s promise for a huge economic stimulus plan will pan out.

"Infrastructure will be a great example of that.
If that becomes a key agenda for this administration, well, we're in the infrastructure business," Good said.

For Susan DeVore, who heads the healthcare giant Premier, the main question is about Obamacare.

"Repeal is easy. Replacing it is much harder.
How do we keep some of the things that worked?" she said.

For one hour, the leaders talked about the nation’s economy.

They also touched on what’s ahead for Charlotte, saying they believe a huge issue will be finding a better way to educate the future workforce.

“The cities that get this right and have a business community that helps people through the programs will be much more successful, “ BofA CEO Brian Moynihan said.

Federal Reserve Board member Jeffrey Lacker raised eyebrows, saying he believe there may need to be more than three interest rate hikes next year.

Overall, the tone among the executives was hopeful as they head into a new year.

“You never do well betting against American industry for the long term,” Wells Fargo’s David Carroll said. “If we can take this little flame and turn it into expectation, then I’m very optimistic.”

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