The CEO of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce is standing by the organization’s demand that the North Carolina General Assembly repeal House Bill 2 even as its own website includes angry reaction to the decision and lack of universal support from among its members.

“Our statement puts policy over politics. This legislation is a threat to our mission devoted to growing our economy,” Chamber President and CEO Tim Giuliani, who was hired in Lay of last year, said in an email interview when asked if the Chamber was concerned about being criticized for its stand.

“Every day companies are making decisions that are costing the state jobs, investments, and conventions. We need to repeal this bill and strengthen our commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality,” he explained.

Republicans are resisting calls for repeal.

Unlike some other business advocacy groups who were contacted by WRAL TechWire for reaction to the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, the Raleigh Chamber took a strong stand against it. Leaders did so even though they expected blow back, Giuliani said. And a review of the group’s website reveals some of the public displeasure with the stand.

“Raleigh and Wake County, full of cowards and hypocrites,” wrote one poster.

“The [Raleigh Chamber] is putting money ahead of the safety of our children and woman[sic],” wrote another. “RCC should be ashamed, if businesses,and entertainers don’t want to come to NC because of HB2 then then stay away.”

There also are messages of support.

“As a former staff member of the Chamber’s Economic Development department who worked to sell the Raleigh and Research Triangle area as the best place to live and the best place for business for over 23 years,I congratulate you for doing the right thing in opposing HB2,” one person wrote.

Support not 100%

Giulani acknowledged that not every Chamber member agreed with the decision but stressed that the repeal demand had “overwhelming support.”

Asked how the Chamber came to formulate its repeal statement, Giulani explained:

“We have a formal decision making process as an organization in order to offer a public policy position. While every member won’t agree when we take a position, we have an overwhelming amount of support because this bill is having a significant economic impact and we are against discrimination in all forms.”

“Bad for business”

The Chamber on Tuesday joined a chorus of businesses from large international corporations such as Red Hat, Quintiles and IBM plus nearly 200 tech startups in criticizing the HB2 as it is better known.

“This legislation is bad for business and bad for North Carolina,” the Chamber declared Tuesday in a statement calling for immediate repeal.

“We must eliminate the issues this legislation creates. The Greater Raleigh Chamber will work with Gov. Pat McCrory, legislators, and other elected leaders to find a solution that is in the best interest of our region and state while strengthening our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality.”

McCrory did sign an executive order that made some changes to the bill which he had signed.

Economic fallout

Economic development has been hurt, according to data compiled by the Chamber. From delayed or put-off business expansions to meetings at convention centers and canceled concerts, losses are mounting, it says.

“In Wake County, we have lost 250 committed jobs from Deutsche Bank, as well as a technology company that was considering the creation of up to 1,000 jobs in our region. Several other companies have eliminated us from consideration, explicitly citing this bill. Our Convention and Visitors Bureau is reporting over $3.2 million in lost revenues, and much more is at risk.”

WRAL TechWire asked a series of questions about the 1,000 jobs.

“Can you identify the company involved in the 1,000 employee expansion? Is it a firm that would be new to the area or an existing one? Was the Chamber involved in talking with this company? Were signs “go’ until HB2 was signed?”

Giulani declined to offer any further details, saying: “I have to stand by the comments made in the statement for this question.”