In Action: Chambers Change Things - November 2026
Economic and Community Development / November 6, 2026
- Leaders from the Greenville Chamber and South Bend Regional Chamber participated in a Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy webinar on the evolving data center market and the opportunities and challenges these projects present for communities, chambers, and economic development organizations. Watch the recording | Access a CICE research paper on the topic here.
- The Georgetown Chamber partnered with Optimum Business to establish a grant program providing 25 local small businesses with $5,000 each. The $125,000 initiative offers direct financial support to help businesses invest in their long-term success.
- NVC, the Northern Virginia Chamber, launched a three-part workforce series examining child care infrastructure, workforce policy and readiness for an AI-driven economy. The program is aligned with the NOVA Roadmap and addresses issues affecting employers' ability to recruit and retain talent.
- The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber is strengthening international relationships following a September trip to Japan and Taiwan that included meetings with business prospects, government and economic development leaders and recognition from one of Taiwan’s largest trade organizations.
- The Greater Bloomington Chamber’s Success School held a career fair at Edgewood High School on Oct. 28. About 20–25 local employers recruited students for jobs, internships and work-based learning.
- The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s Vote Yes for City Bonds Campaign was successful, as Charlotte voters approved a historic $425 million investment in housing, transportation and neighborhoods.
- The Utah Valley Chamber launched the Utah Valley Regional Alliance, a new leadership coalition created to align business, government and civic leaders around the long-term future of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions. The alliance will focus on regional priorities that no single organization can solve alone, including infrastructure, workforce development, housing, transportation, economic competitiveness and public-private collaboration.
- The Greater Springfield Chamber created a new workforce director position focused on keeping 18- to 35-year-olds in the local labor pool. A state grant pays for it: a state senator secured the money, the county administers it and the chamber built the program.
- The Greater San Antonio Chamber and the Metro San Antonio Chamber are merging to create a single organization to represent thousands of businesses across the city. The merger is set to take place in January. Leaders say the new combined chamber will make advocacy for smaller companies a top priority
- The Jacksonville Black Chamber of Commerce launched the Jacksonville Affordable Neighborhood Land Trust to help address housing affordability in the region. The goal is to develop housing and offer economic and community stability.
- The Chillicothe Ross Chamber launched a regional job board with more than 1,600 openings from over 500 employers. This builds on its response to the 2025 Pixelle paper mill closure.
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