Monthly Roundup: August 2026
Economic and Community Development / August 7, 2026
- Select Greater Omaha and the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development announced the formation of the AgWorks Corridor to better position the region as a leader in value-added agriculture across the Midwest. Spanning 11 counties across Nebraska and Iowa in the Lincoln-Omaha region, AgWorks Corridor was created to align regional strengths to advance shared priorities and opportunities throughout the area.
- When Fayette County Public Schools didn’t include additional funding for classroom supplies in its final budget, members of Lexington's business community stepped forward to help. Commerce Lexington and a group of partners established the Classroom Essentials Fund, a collaborative initiative that will provide teachers and school leaders with funding for essential classroom supplies and instructional resources.
- The Benton Chamber and Bryant Area Chambers are considering a merger into one regional chamber of commerce to provide more opportunities for local businesses. The review is expected to take 90 days.
- The Kentucky Chamber announced a new initiative to examine Kentucky’s entrepreneurial economy and identify opportunities to strengthen entrepreneurship, business growth and job creation across the state.
- The Queen Creek Chamber will host business leaders, educators and students at its 2026 Business & Education Summit. The event will feature roundtable discussions focused on workforce challenges, opportunities and solutions.
- The Madison Chamber hosted its first State of the Region event, bringing together elected officials, business leaders and community partners to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the state’s fastest growing region.
- The Seattle Southside Chamber and Success Foundation held its 2026 Leadership Conference, where speakers focused on South King County’s economy, workforce needs, small business pressures and regional collaboration. The conference brought together local business owners, nonprofit leaders, educators, elected officials, public servants, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders.
- The Crenshaw Chamber has launched a 501(c)(3) foundation aimed at preparing young people for careers in photography, video production, and digital media.
- The McKinney Chamber launched a new initiative designed to support employers’ recruitment needs while offering community members a new way to get connected with the city. Community Compass, presented by Trinity Falls, offers customizable tours of McKinney for prospective employees, relocating families, business partners and anyone interested in learning more about the community.
- The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber received a second $1.5 million grant from the state to expand the small business support network it built, which has already served more than 1,100 companies, many of them minority- and women-owned.
.png)
