The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce has raised half its $2.5 million fundraising goal for its Visions 3D campaign, chamber leaders announced at their annual meeting today.
The four-year economic development strategy aims to create 9,000 new jobs, with many paying at or above the average wage in the Durham County.
The meeting marked the kickoff of the Visions 3D campaign, which chamber leaders say could generate $569 million annually in local consumer spending.
The plan also calls for the chamber to assist in the location of 40 new companies; the expansion, training and suport of 150 companies; and an increase in capital investment in Durham of $1 billion.
The $1.25 million raised so far came from a targeted campaign of large local companies intended to lay the foundation for the public phase of the fund-raising effort.
So who were the large companies?
AICPA, BB&T, Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Duke University and Duke University Health System, Duke Energy, Fairway Outdoor (Advertising), Independence Park Apartments, Morgan Motors, the Research Triangle Park & Foundation, and SunTrust Bank "have stepped up the plate and showed their vote of confidence in Vision 3D and its tremendous impact on our community," honorary campaign chairman Bob Ingram said in a release.
