Charlotte business leaders in D.C. to ask for money for projects

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Members of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and city council are in Washington, D.C. Wednesday.

They are meeting with lawmakers about issues that impact the City of Charlotte and the surrounding areas.

Continued funding of the light rail extension to the University area is one of two major projects city representatives plan to address.  The other is the need for a new control tower at Charlotte Douglas Airport.

Representatives from about a dozen Charlotte-area businesses are also there.

This is a chance for them to bring their concerns to lawmakers in a one-on-one setting.

During the trip, Charlotte representatives will also meet with the members of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Energy and Treasury.

Channel 9 spoke to the president of the Charlotte Chamber Wednesday morning before he boarded a flight to D.C.

He said the biggest question they have is how the sequester will impact the money the federal government could give to the Charlotte area.

"We don't quite understand yet what the impact of sequestration might be on the issues we are advocating for, but we're going to learn a lot more over the next two days," said Bob Morgan.

The trip will last two days.

Channel 9 will have more from some of the business leaders who are in D.C. and what they hope to get out this trip starting at 5 p.m.

WSOC