One of the Chamber’s important roles is to serve as a facilitator between the private sector and the public sector.  Many times this leads to strong public-private partnerships that spur economic and community development and community building.  These are positive and beneficial interactions between business and government.

Sometimes, however, there are areas of disagreement between Springfield’s businesses and local government.  In these circumstances, too, the Chamber facilitates between those sectors. By opening that dialogue and helping to bridge differences, the Chamber provides opportunities for members to be heard on important public policies that have an impact on business.

For example, the City of Springfield recently increased rates for all sewer customers.  While no one wants rates to increase, the City is facing federal and state mandates to improve the wastewater system.  Given these imperatives, the Chamber wanted to ensure that the business community’s voice was heard on this issue in order to implement the rate increases in a way that would not excessively burden the local economy, even though complying with the mandates is necessary.

As part of the sewer rate increase, many industrial companies - primarily food processing and commercial laundry facilities, among a few others - fall into a special surcharge rate class, based on the content of their wastewater.  Of particular concern to this category of businesses - and their several thousand jobs - was the pace and suddenness of the rate increase.  

After many weeks of discussions between City officials and consultants, the companies, and the Chamber, City Council approved a rate increase plan that addressed those employers’ concerns.  Specifically, Council postponed the implementation of their surcharge rate from July 2011 until January 2012, providing time to plan and budget for the increase; moreover, the rate increase was “leveled out” over the next six years, rather than loaded heavily in the first two years, making it easier for these companies to adapt to year-over-year changes.  

These businesses were appreciative of the opportunity to express their concerns, and they were appreciative that elected officials and City staff were willing to listen.  The Chamber facilitated that conversation, and the result was a public policy that reflects the voice of the business community.

The Chamber takes an active role in advocacy on local government issues because of their distinct connection to the Chamber's mission and to quality of life in the Springfield Region.  In order to assist the Chamber’s Board of Directors in establishing policy positions on local issues, the Chamber established the Local Issues Public Policy Task Force in 2004.  The 30-member task force formally reviews upcoming local election issues, considering the business and community impact of each proposal.  Last year, the Chamber established the Voice of Business Committee, a 40-member committee that makes sure the business perspective is heard at City Council meetings.  

Through these efforts and many others at the local, state, and federal government level, the Chamber is the voice of business.