Monthly Roundup: December 2025
Economic and Community Development / December 5, 2025
- The North Carolina Chamber partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina to launch Carolina HealthWorks, a new health plan option for small businesses, their employees and their families. The program provides affordable health care through a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) model, an alternative to small businesses that allows them to pool their resources and provide access to the rate advantages and benefits typically only enjoyed by larger groups.
- The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce praised a landmark investment by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania aimed at addressing the statewide shortage of child care educators—a crisis that has long strained families, employers and the broader workforce.
- The Springfield Area Chamber housing is the top workforce attraction and retention opportunity when it comes to site selection in southwest Missouri. "The communities that figure out housing are going to have an advantage when it comes to not only retention of the companies they have but attracting the new ones," said Jonas Arjes, the chamber’s senior vice president of economic development.
- The Northern Kentucky Chamber shared highlights of its Northern Kentucky Housing Blueprint with the Kentucky Housing Task Force. Key priorities include establishing a regional housing fund, exploring employer-assisted housing pilots, expanding missing middle housing and growing the residential construction workforce.
- The Charleston Metro Chamber, in partnership with JPMorgan Chase, hosted a forum to provide aspiring and established veteran entrepreneurs the chance to network with business and community leaders, attend a panel on expanding opportunities for veteran-owned businesses and hear firsthand from veterans who have transitioned from military service to business ownership.
- The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber and the Greater Niles Chamber have entered into a partnership that aligns the organizations both structurally and strategically. The Greater Niles Chamber will retain its membership, board, and brand identity while integrating into Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber’s operational infrastructure.
- The Berryville Chamber and the Berryville Library teamed up to help small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs get their start. The library launched the Berryville Business Boost on its website, an online hub where users can access free resources to plan, start, learn and grow a business.
- The Sheboygan County Chamber will be hosting the city’s first-ever Small Business Resource Fair on Monday. The free event will help local entrepreneurs and individuals access the information they need to start, purchase and fund their business.
- A recent report by the Monterey County Business Council and Beacon Economics shared insights into the regional economy’s strengths and weaknesses. The report found that the county leads the nation in agricultural output, but it is challenged by declining payrolls and a lack of affordable housing.
- The Vegas Chamber launched a new Small Business Resource Center to support small businesses and strengthen Southern Nevada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The center offers support, tools and connections, including business advising, workforce resources, hiring assistance and more.
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