In an effort to involve the business community in this program, Governor Hunt created the Governor's Work First Business Council, comprised of 31 business leaders from across the state, in April 1998.
Council members represent various industries and come from businesses large and small.
Dr. William K. Atkinson, President and CEO of New Hanover Health Network, and former U.S. Senator James Broyhill were chosen to serve as co-chairs of the Council. Throughout the two years that the Council has been together they have enjoyed working on a variety of projects to help meet their goals. Much has been achieved in the areas of marketing, education and training, job fairs and hiring, and sharing best practices. The Council has an ambitious agenda for the year 2000. Goals include continued hiring efforts, a chamber of commerce hiring campaign, an economic literacy project and more.