Business Advocacy
Non-profits discuss ongoing workforce challenges
Non-profits discuss ongoing workforce challenges Organizations of all sizes and sectors face immense staffing concerns as they struggle to find, attract, recruit and retain employees. Members of the Chamber’s Non-Profit Roundtable discussed these challenges and more during 2021’s final Non-Profit Roundtable on December 14. Members heard from four community leaders with different perspectives and roles…
Read MoreCollaborating to support entrepreneurship
Collaborating to support entrepreneurship Members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors connected with board members from the Multicultural Business Association (MBA), formerly Minorities in Business, for a roundtable conversation between the leadership of the two business organizations on November 30. The discussion followed the appointment of Darline Mabins as the new MBA executive director and…
Read MoreGovernor highlights successes and asks for business input
Governor highlights successes and asks for business input Governor Mike Parson visited the Chamber on November 12 to meet with regional business leaders and discuss legislative successes, priorities for the upcoming session, and challenges currently impacting the business community. The roundtable discussion brought together board members from both the Chamber and Springfield Business Development Corporation…
Read MoreSpeaker-elect discusses his history and his outlook for the legislature
Speaker-elect discusses his history and his outlook for the legislature State Rep. Dean Plocher was elected to the Missouri House to represent part of St. Louis County – but as he said during his visit to the Chamber as part of the Public Policy Speaker Series on October 21, he represents all the people of…
Read MoreListening to small businesses about pandemic struggles, solutions
Listening to small businesses about pandemic struggles, solutions Springfield small businesses were able to share feedback on challenges they have faced as well as what role the state can play to support small business recovery during the Springfield stop of the Show Me Strong Recovery Listening Session held October 14 at the Chamber. The Show…
Read MoreOutgoing DED director reflects on agency changes
Outgoing DED director reflects on agency changes Rob Dixon, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED), returned to Springfield to speak to Chamber members for the final time in his current leadership role with the state during the second installment of the 2021 Public Policy Speaker Series on October 15. Dixon recently announced…
Read MoreLooking at our community’s strengths and opportunities
Looking at our community’s strengths and opportunities 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. This year, the CLV initiative…
Read MoreState rep focuses on infrastructure, referendum reform
State rep focuses on infrastructure, referendum reform State Representative Bill Owen has a unique history in the state legislature. The lawmaker from northern Greene County is in his second term in the Missouri House of Representatives, which started in 2021. His first term was from 1981 to 1982, followed by a long career in banking…
Read MoreNonprofits learn about local funding options through Non-Profit Roundtable
Nonprofits learn about local funding options through Non-Profit Roundtable Chamber non-profit members had the opportunity to connect with local funding organizations during the most recent meeting of the Non-Profit Roundtable. The Non-Profit Roundtable comprises over 90 executives from non-profit Chamber members and meets three times a year to hear timely programming updates. They also engage…
Read MoreLieutenant governor offers a look at his background and goals for the future
Lieutenant governor offers a look at his background and goals for the future Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe gave Chamber members insight into his life, legislative priorities, future goals and more during the Public Policy Speaker Series held on August 20. The lieutenant governor said he didn’t start out with any political ambitions, nor was he…
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