Global Impacts

American business has undergone a fundamental transformation in recent decades, shifting from a primarily domestic focus to a global orientation driven by technological advances and improved transportation. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in international supply chains, leading to a complex tension between global trade dependencies and calls for domestic production. Chambers can also serve as a conduit to support local businesses expanding their reach into new markets, and encouraging international organizations to consider participation in their local economy.

The global marketplace now extends beyond goods and services to include international talent pools, but businesses face significant challenges in accessing this workforce. Complex visa processes make it difficult to retain foreign graduates or recruit skilled international workers, while unauthorized immigration has become a contentious political issue hindering the ability to grow the talent pool. Chambers of commerce find themselves needing to navigate these challenges, advocating for practical solutions at both state and federal levels to help their members address critical workforce needs while balancing political sensitivities.

  • Does your community embrace its role in the global economy?
  • How can chambers highlight the importance of global markets as a source of talent and commerce? 

By the Numbers

ACCE Insights

Chamber Examples

  • Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) is investing $65 billion to build a third semiconductor plant in Phoenix, bringing tens of thousands of jobs to the region. The Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation is growing talent pipelines to fill these positions. The foundation has established an Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Collaborative which will launch and scale a new career and technical education (CTE) pathway for semiconductor manufacturing and increase students’ exposure to industry career opportunities.
  • The Longview Chamber supports a statewide coalition dedicated to recognizing the impact immigrants have on the economy and using data to support immigration reform as a way to address workforce challenges. 
  • Kansas City is experiencing a workforce shortage as well as significant growth in its immigrant population. The Kansas City Chamber created Welcoming KC to embrace immigrants, refugees and newcomers to grow the region’s workforce.

Smaller Chamber Examples

  • The Cedar Park Chamber offers Certificates of Origin to local companies shipping products to countries that require them. 

  

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