Roy Cooper brings 'Make Stuff Cost Less' tour to Asheville Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, now the Democratic nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in the state, visited Asheville on Wednesday as part of his "Make Stuff Cost Less" campaign tour. The event focused on the rising cost of utilities, which Cooper claims are placing significant financial pressure on families and small businesses across North Carolina. Speaking at RAD Brewing Company, Cooper outlined his legislative priorities for the U.S. Senate, including measures to reduce energy costs. He proposed requiring large data centers to cover the full cost of their electricity usage and encouraging major technology companies to generate their own power. "Too many families in North Carolina are getting squeezed by their power bills," Cooper stated. "It's not right, and it's time for a change." His plan also includes modernizing the state’s electric grid and prohibiting utility companies from disconnecting service during extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves or cold snaps. Cooper emphasized that these steps are necessary to alleviate the burden on households and businesses struggling with rising energy expenses. The event underscored the growing impact of utility costs in Western North Carolina, where local business owners reported significant increases in electricity and water prices. Robert "Lem" Lemery, owner of RAD Brewing Company, noted that energy and water costs have nearly doubled in recent years, forcing small businesses to absorb these expenses without passing them on to customers. "We can't offset those increased costs to customers without risking losing business, so we have to eat it," Lemery said. He highlighted the critical role of water in the brewing process, explaining that approximately 6.#north_carolina #roy_cooper #michael_whatley #rad_brewing_company #lookout_brewing
Roy Cooper brings "Make Stuff Cost Less" tour to Greenville in tight NC Senate race Former Governor Roy Cooper is visiting Greenville as part of his “Make Stuff Cost Less” campaign tour, a key effort to connect with voters in North Carolina’s closely contested Senate race against Republican Michael Whatley. The campaign focuses on addressing rising costs for essentials like gas, groceries, and utilities, which have become central concerns for many residents. Denise Voncannon, a supporter of Cooper, highlighted the growing frustration over inflation, stating, “The cost of everything has jumped tremendously, and I don’t see that changing much with our current administration.” Cooper’s tour has already included stops in Asheville, Raleigh, and Greensboro, but Greenville holds particular significance due to its reliance on agriculture. During a visit to the area, Cooper addressed concerns from farmers about the impact of tariffs and global conflicts on their livelihoods. When asked about how these factors have affected agricultural operations, he responded, “Farmers are telling me that tariffs have caused equipment and fertilizer costs to skyrocket, and the war in Iran has driven fuel prices even higher, making it harder for them to sustain their businesses.” The campaign also emphasizes the struggles of younger voters, with Isabella Sardina, a recent East Carolina University graduate and co-chair of the Women for Roy coalition, sharing her perspective on affordability. She noted, “For students, affordability is key, but for young professionals, it’s just as critical. Once we leave campus, we’re responsible for groceries, rent, healthcare, and everything else on our own.” This focus on economic pressures resonates with a demographic that has seen living costs rise sharply in recent years.#north_carolina #greenville #roy_cooper #michael_whatley #isabella_sardina
