North Carolina manufacturers want to pay less tax on the equipment and machinery they buy, according to a poll commissioned by a business group.

Lew Ebert, president of the N.C. Chamber, said lowering or eliminating the tax could become one of business leaders' top requests of state legislators, David Ingram reports.

"If we want to continue to be a competitive state, we'll have to look at that closely," Ebert said at a meeting of manufacturers at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro.

Otherwise, Ebert said, "we become the state where old equipment comes to die. That's not the kind of business model you want to be a part of."

In a survey of 300 manufacturing executives and owners statewide, respondents cited the tax on machinery more than any other tax they would like to see lowered, Ebert said. Close behind was the tax on real estate, followed by the taxes on corporate income and motor fuels.

"This kind of data helps us make the case for business in the state capital," Ebert said.

The two major gubernatorial candidates will appear at a summit next month.

Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory are both slated to speak at a Manufacturing Summit sponsored by the North Carolina Chamber on June 10 at the Grandover Resort to Greensboro, Jonathan Cox reports.

The summit will also feature panel discussions with Scott Ralls, president of the N.C. Community College System; Brad Wilson, Rep. Becky Carney and Sen. David Hoyle of the 21st Century Transportation Committee; and experts on economics, health and legal issues.

One breakout session has an interesting title: "Keeping North Carolina Union Free."