Greensboro mayor touts economic development, pushes for prepared food tax in State of the City event

Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan touted a string of local successes and economic development in the second annual State of the City address on Wednesday.

Vaughan pointed to nearly $9 billion in investments from companies such as Honda Aircraft and Toyota as signs of the city's vitality. She also highlighted the approval of nearly 16,000 potential housing units since 2021, and the launch of the downtown trolley program.

In a panel discussion following her address, Vaughan used the opportunity to make her pitch for a prepared food tax for the city. She said a one percent tax would raise money from visitors who benefit from the city's entertainment and amenities.

"We cannot support this industry on the backs of the taxpayers," Vaughan said. "We should have the people who are coming to Greensboro to use these facilities to have some skin in the game, and that is exactly what our competitors are doing."

According to the N.C. Department of Commerce, Guilford County ranked fifth in the state in 2022 for tourism spending.

Vaughan said if a prepared food tax was implemented countywide it would bring in a minimum of $20 million.