Business Advocacy
SGF Business Insider – May 2022: How Do We Recover Financially from the Pandemic?
SGF Business Insider – May 2022: How Do We Recover Financially from the Pandemic? In this episode, Chamber President Matt Morrow talks with Greene County Commissioner John Russell and ARPA Grant & Equity Specialist Dr. Lyle Foster. They talk about how funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) is being directed to small businesses and nonprofits in our…
Read MoreMaking progress in a complicated legislative landscape
Making progress in a complicated legislative landscape State Senator Dave Schatz has a lot on his plate. Not only does he represent Franklin and St. Louis counties in the Missouri State Senate, but he also leads the upper chamber as the president pro tem – meaning it’s his job to keep legislation moving through his…
Read MoreSummarizing years of progress in the Springfield region
Summarizing years of progress in the Springfield region Since 1994, the Chamber has convened community leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors for the Community Leadership Visit. The delegation of leaders travels to a peer city to learn from their experiences and bring back ideas that will benefit our region. The 2021 CLV initiative…
Read MoreFinalists announced for 2022 Small Business Award
Finalists announced for 2022 Small Business Award Five area businesses have been named as finalists for the 2022 Small Business Award. The finalists were determined based on written applications that include essays on company history, management philosophy, responses to challenges, innovation in product and service offerings and contributions to the community. Entries are scored by…
Read MoreState rep discusses outlook in General Assembly
State rep discusses outlook in General Assembly When State Rep. Alex Riley visited the Chamber in early March to offer a legislative update to the Governmental Relations Committee, he shared that one of the biggest issues hanging over the General Assembly was the gridlock in the Senate due to ongoing battles over the redrawing of…
Read MoreBoard leaders advocate for business priorities
Board leaders advocate for business priorities Leaders from the Chamber’s Board of Directors visited the state Capitol on March 3 to advocate for board-approved business community legislative priorities. The delegation included Board Chairman John Oke-Thomas of Oke-Thomas + Associates, and Chairman-Elect Joselyn Baldner of Central Bank of the Ozarks, along with other members of the…
Read MoreChamber endorses two candidates for school board election on April 5
Chamber endorses two candidates for school board election on April 5 The Board of Directors of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Chad Courtney and Charles Taylor for Springfield Public Schools (R-12) Board of Education in the election on April 5. Through volunteer-driven committee evaluation and board of directors’ decision-making, the Chamber has…
Read MoreGovernor discusses higher education, workforce investment with community leaders
Governor discusses higher education, workforce investment with community leaders Governor Mike Parson met with public and private sector community leaders on February 10 at the Missouri State University efactory Jay Wasson Idea Loft to discuss transformational investments in Missouri’s workforce and education system. Leaders from Springfield Public Schools, the City of Springfield, Greene County, Missouri State University,…
Read MoreSGF Business Insider – February 2022: How Do We Remove Professional Barriers for Women?
SGF Business Insider – February 2022: How Do We Remove Professional Barriers for Women? This month, Chamber President Matt Morrow talks with Wendy Doyle. Wendy is the president and CEO of United Women’s Empowerment (United WE), a non-profit organization based out of Kansas City that tackles barriers to women’s economic growth. They work with decision…
Read MoreTackling workforce issues through training & improved access
Tackling workforce issues through training & improved access Nearly every employer is facing significant challenges in finding enough skilled workers to meet both their current needs and their desire for growth. The shortage of employees has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the underlying issues have existed for several years – and while there…
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