Chamber of the Year: Meet the Category Two Finalists

Since 2007, ACCE has annually recognized chambers of commerce for their work leading businesses and communities with the Chamber of the Year award. In today’s ever-evolving landscape, a chamber’s ability to adapt and thrive, to be visionary and forward-thinking is paramount to achieving success and spurring economic growth. Here’s a look at a few programs that helped earn these chambers a spot as a Chamber of the Year finalist.

Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce | Holland, Michigan

The business community was struggling with new government leadership and its negative impact on them. The Michigan West Coast Chamber and community stakeholders convened and determined that synergy was needed at the government level. The chamber developed the West Coast Connect platform, designed to seamlessly connect skilled business professionals with meaningful leadership opportunities in local nonprofit, municipal and government roles. The program exceeded all goals in the first nine months. 

Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce | Paducah, Kentucky 

The Paducah Area Chamber worked tirelessly over the past few years to build a strong relationship with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). With the DOE announcing plans to cease uranium enrichment after more than 50 years, the existing site would transition to cleanup. The time came for the chamber to step into a new role with the DOE, changing from primarily being the advocacy organization fighting for funding to being an implementer. 

The chamber led the effort to secure grant funding to complete a full reindustrialization study for the site's future. The study provides a plan for cleanup and economic development that will significantly impact Paducah for the next 50 years. 

 
Vail Valley Partnership | Edwards, Colorado 

The population growth in Colorado’s Eagle County  has created strains on the region’s housing and transportation systems. The Vail Valley Partnership convened local transit providers and municipalities to discuss solutions for improving transit and transportation infrastructure in Eagle County. This resulted in the “Yes for Eagle Valley Transit” issue campaign to support the creation of a regional transit authority.  

The community agreed by vote and the work began.  These necessary improvements will provide residents with more viable access to employment, community resources, medical care, and recreational opportunities throughout the valley, all while positively impacting the environment. 

Learn who will be the Category Two Chamber of the Year at the #ACCE24 Awards Show, presented by Comcast Business, on Wednesday, July 17 in Dallas. The Chamber of the Year program is sponsored by Growthzone. Can’t make it? Follow @ACCEHQ on any social media platform to see who wins as it happens!