BENIFITS of investing in the CHAMBER

It is always fun to be able to share when something fun and new happens! Last month the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recommended that Fox Business reach out and use our Chamber to get input on an article they were writing.

The purpose of the article was to discuss benefits of the chamber to generate leads from networking events. To read the article in its entirety check out Why your local chamber of commerce networking groups are great for business leads | Fox Business. While I was excited to share my thoughts it was important to me that this opportunity share our ‘why’ and the benefits of investing in the chamber. So, I took advantage of this opportunity, re-framed the question and submitted the following to Fox Business.

CAN YOU SHARE 3 BENEFITS OF JOINING A LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?

Why Join? Businesses choose to invest in the chamber because they are committed to safeguarding and advancing the interests of commerce. Creating a favorable economic climate is crucial for businesses as it grants them the chance to not only pursue their aspirations, but also flourish. These enterprises recognize the power of collective action and shaping a lasting impact for future generations.

Advocacy

The chamber wields influential power at the local, regional, state, and national levels, standing shoulder to shoulder with businesses to champion and safeguard their prosperity.

Promotion

The chamber actively promotes business and dedicates its efforts to enhance the local community as an ideal place for commerce.

Competitive Edge

By providing businesses with exclusive tools and marketing opportunities, the chamber empowers them to take the forefront, gaining a distinct advantage in the market.

WHAT CAN SOMEONE EXPECT AT NETWORKING EVENTS? HOW CAN THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING AND PARTICIPATING?

Build Strong Relationships: We firmly believe that building strong relationships, rather than simply exchanging business cards, is the key to expanding your client/customer base. By capitalizing on a few strategic opportunities, you can become an integral part of a thriving network of businesses. Remember, it’s not just about who you know, but also about who knows you.

Active Involvement: We foster a culture of volunteerism that is specifically designed to maximize the potential and profitability of businesses. The chamber encourages employees and owners of companies to actively participate in task forces/committees. The extent of involvement directly correlates with how much value one can add to the company’s annual chamber membership investment.

HOW CAN BUSINESS LEADS BE CREATED AND CULTIVATED? DOES BEING A FELLOW MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER ADD CREDIBILITY WHEN MAKING LEADS?

Quality Referrals: The Chamber diligently promotes its member businesses on a daily basis, handling inquiries via phone, mail, email, and walk-ins. Membership comes with exclusive privileges. As we solely refer our member businesses to the public. Moreover, as a Chamber member, one also receives referrals through the complimentary directory listing, which can be accessed online or through a mobile app, ensuring that member businesses are working around the clock to attract potential customers.

Regarding credibility, being a fellow member of the chamber can indeed add credibility when making leads. Chamber membership signifies a commitment to professionalism and community involvement. Potential leads may perceive chamber members as trustworthy and reliable, leading to increased credibility and a higher likelihood of converting leads into customers. Additionally, being part of the chamber provides networking opportunities with other businesses, potentially leading to mutually beneficial partnership and referrals.

Great strides have been made in a short period of time so we are ready to kick off LongviewREADS! at State of the Workforce on September 20th. A team of superintendents, elementary principals and key stakeholders have partnered to advocate on the importance of preparing students for kindergarten and demonstrate successful outcomes with 3rd grade reading.

Why is the Chamber engaged in this conversation? We believe in creating an ecosystem that allows businesses to thrive! Companies’ #1 priority is to ensure they have a skilled workforce, and we know there is a direct correlation between an employee’s ability to read and the success of that employee. Our businesses are already struggling to recruit a strong workforce. This problem will only get worse if our future employees aren’t able to read.

What does the Chamber hope to accomplish? The Chamber’s purpose with the LongviewREADS! campaign is to increase awareness of the need to improve students’ reading skills and help our employers find out how they can take action to help students become strong readers. We know that once our business community is made aware of the need to cultivate a strong workforce by producing strong readers, employers will want to jump right in! The specific call to action for the LongviewREADS! campaign will be for area employers to encourage their employees to participate in specific opportunities provided to help students achieve their reading goals.

Unfortunately, the data shows that 45% of Longview area students can’t read at grade level. This is a serious threat to our workforce, and it is vital for the future success of our businesses that we step up now and do our part.

“We know that success breeds success. Strong businesses and a strong workforce will attract more businesses to Longview and bring greater prosperity to all,” said Ron Hutchison, President of Centris Information Services. “By improving reading, we will create a competitive advantage for Longview area businesses. It is time for our Chamber community to reach out and support our educators to improve students’ reading outcomes,” he continued.

Who can participate in LongviewREADS? Put simply, anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate in LongviewREADS! With the help of our school districts and other organizations currently involved in improving reading outcomes, we are developing specific opportunities for three (3) target groups: Employers, Employees, and Parents. Several tools will be created to help these groups know where and how to plug in, including a website that will provide easy access to productive ways to help our students, a program through which interested individuals can sign up to receive alerts on where and how to engage, and brochures and other printed material to be shared across the community.

We are excited about this campaign and the benefits it will bring to our future workforce. Be on the lookout for more information about LongviewREADS! in the coming weeks and months. Be sure and mark your calendar now for State of the Workforce on September 20th!

The Chamber Has the Back of Business!

By actively engaging in the legislative process and being at the decisionmaking table, we have been able to help shape policies that align with the interests of our members. We are thrilled to share the positive impact of our partnering with influential state and regional advocacy groups. These partnerships have brought significant benefits to our chamber members this year. Through our collaboration, we have successfully driven policy changes that will positively impact the Longview business community.

Our strategic alliances with key partners such as Texas 2036, Texas Association of Business, Texas Association of Manufacturers, TXOGA, Texas Chemical Council, and Commit Partnership have played a crucial role in amplifying our advocacy efforts and achieving multiple policy objectives! These partnerships have allowed us to contribute our expertise and

Taxation: perspectives to shape policies that address specific issues affecting our business community. Through our active participation in the policy-making process, we played a vital role in shaping a favorable business climate, fostering economic growth, and creating opportunities for businesses in our region.

Moving forward, we are committed to nurturing and strengthening these valuable partnerships. By working collectively with our allies, we will continue to advocate for the needs of the business community, drive positive change, and create an environment that supports the growth and prosperity of businesses in our region. Together, we can achieve even greater success in shaping policies and fostering an ecosystem where businesses can thrive!

88TH SESSION RESULTS - 2023 Legislative Session

HB 432 (Schofield) – Destination vs Organization Sales Tax –AGAINST – FAILED to Pass

Related to location where certain sales are consummated for purposes of local sales and use taxes.

Economic Development:

HB 5 (Hunter) — Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act

FOR Results: PASSED

Establishes a new, transparent, and accountable state economic development incentive tool that provides temporary tax limitations for large capital investments, bringing jobs and long-term revenue to Texas communities.

Energy:

SB 2017 (Nichols/Bonnen) – Carbon Capture Use & Storage –FOR Results: FAILED to Pass

Affirms surface owner owns pore space, recognized the mineral estate, and established a process for pore space integration.

Technology:

HB 4 (Capriglione) — Texas Data Privacy & Security Act — FOR Results: PASSED

Establishes a state data privacy standard that enables private sector innovation and protects the privacy and security of consumer data.

HB 9 (Ashby) — Broadband Enhancement — FOR Results: PASSED

Creates broadband infrastructure fund, allocating $1.5 billion over the next 10 years, to ensure the program is fully funded and is accessible and affordable to Texans.

SB 1238 (Nichols/Ashby) – Broadband Development –FOR Results: PASSED, Governor Signed

Transportation:

SCR 2 (Nichols/Canales) – State Highway Fund –FOR Results: PASSED

Allows the Comptroller of Public Accounts to deposit tax revenues to the State Highway Fund.

Education:

HB 8 (VanDeaver) — Community College Finance Reform — FOR Results: PASSED, Governor Signed

Establishes an outcomes-based funding model for community colleges that rewards colleges for positive outcomes, ensures equitable access through financial aid, and helps community colleges increase capacity to meet rapidly changing workforce needs.

HB 3924 (Oliverson/Bettencourt) – State Workforce Skills –Based Hiring –

FOR Results: FAILED to Pass

Related to state agency employment openings and aptitude assessments.

HB 4451 (Bhojani) – Apprenticeships in Emerging & HighDemand Industries –FOR Results: PASSED

Would require the TWC to work with each of the state’s 28 workforce development board in creating an annual legislative report to expand the availability of apprenticeships program in emerging and highdemand Texas industries.

HB4545 (Perez) High Impact Tutoring –FOR Results: FAILED to Pass

Requires TEA to use research-backed strategies to accelerate student instruction and improve student outcomes.

Healthcare:

HB 12 (Rose) – Medicaid Following Pregnancy –FOR Results: Passed

Extends the time Medicaid is able to be used from two months to 12 months following pregnancy.

HB 290 (Oliverson/Hancock) – Health Plan Options for Employers –FOR Results: PASSED, Governor Signed

Creates a new pathway for chambers to offer health insurance to their member companies. Updates statute to better align with updated federal guidelines on broadband mapping and availability.