Statement from High Point Market on HB2 Legislation

March 29, 2016  by in Business Strategy, Economic News, High Point, Industry, Legal, Market   

In a statement from the Executive Committee of the High Point Market, the organizers are informing the public and government leaders in Raleigh of the significant economic damage HB2 is having on the High Point Market and on the North Carolina economy. Based on the reaction in just the last few days, the committee says, hundreds and perhaps thousands will not attend Market this April. According to the statement, the High Point Market Authority does not discriminate, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. The committee believes that the diversity of the 75,000 people who attend Market is one of its greatest assets and strengths. The statement goes on to say, the Market has an obligation to inform all of its stakeholders about this legislation and its impact. Stakeholders include retail and designer buyers, roughly 2000 exhibitors, over 100 landlords, the City of High Point and its citizens and the people and businesses in surrounding communities – many of whom owe their jobs to the economic activity generated by the High Point Market.

According to an economic impact study conducted by Duke University in 2013, the High Point Market is the largest economic event in the State of North Carolina each year. The Market has an annual economic impact of $5.38 billion and generates over 600,000 visitor days to the state each year. The Market and the home furnishings industry in North Carolina are responsible for over 37,000 jobs in the state.