Springfield Chamber Rolls Out New Business Advocacy Engagement Plan
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce advocates for business-friendly policy in support of private enterprise, entrepreneurial endeavors, and an economically competitive business climate at all levels of government. When the Chamber advocates for business, we deliver on a most important promise to our members – that economic conditions are prime for your business to thrive. The value of our members’ engagement in business advocacy is immeasurable. Your thoughtful, informed, and community-minded reasoning lends a credible voice with genuine intent to build and improve economic outcomes for our community.
The Chamber Board of Directors recently adopted a set of Economic Development and Advocacy Guiding Principles that reflect this commitment to our members and with our partners. These guiding principles are the foundation of the Chamber’s economic development and advocacy services and programs offering high value on investment to our members.
1. ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS
The Chamber supports policies and incentives that contribute to our competitive position in private sector job creation, retention, and economic growth and oppose regulatory overreach, legislation, and policies that unnecessarily encumber innovation, negatively impact business, or otherwise diminish economic competitiveness.
2. WORKFORCE READINESS
The Chamber advocates for adequate funding and responsible spending in education. We support targeted investment and collaborative partnerships that create a strong workforce development system and that contribute to talent attraction, retention, and business growth. We support access to quality and affordable childcare options that enable parents to participate in the workforce.
3. TAXATION
We support a tax system that stimulates economic growth, avoids a disproportionate tax burden on select sectors of the economy, and provides rules and processes that are transparent. Taxes and regulatory fees should be levied for the purpose of maintaining essential government services with the least detrimental effect on economic vitality.
4. QUALITY OF LIFE
The Chamber supports initiatives that create a welcoming community attractive to live, work, play, and do business. These include initiatives that address workforce housing needs; local access to quality healthcare; public safety efforts that ensure safe neighborhoods and that build trust between various communities; and the development and preservation of facilities and amenities that improve our region’s quality of place.
5. TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
The Chamber supports investment in efficient and well-maintained transportation and infrastructure vital to the health of our region’s economy. To support the needs and growth of the region, objectives must foster the movement of consumers, workers, and freight for commerce, a healthy business climate, safe passage and promote economic development.
6. LAND USE
The Chamber supports policy that creates an adequate supply of commercial and industrial land and eliminates barriers to commercial development and commerce. We support a consistent and reasonable application of federal, state, and local land use laws; and oppose excessive, costly, and duplicative regulatory overreach.
7. COMMUNITY RESILIENCY
The Chamber supports policies that advance economic sustainability and resiliency; that increase or improve economic opportunity; and that reduce or stabilize economic hardship in our community. We believe that issues surrounding Homelessness, Mental and Behavioral Health, Energy, Environment, and Emergency Preparedness are best solved when public and private sectors work side by side.
WANT TO STAY INFORMED AND ENGAGED? HERE’S HOW:
- Visit the Business Advocacy webpage for the latest on Chamber testimony, issue updates, and bill-tracking.
- Join the Business Advocacy mailing list to stay informed and receive:
– invitations to roundtable discussions;
– information on issues of interest to the business community;
– pulse surveys that ensure your business experience and views are known; and
– action alerts on policy issues that need your voice.
- Participate in pulse surveys that help inform legislators, policy makers, and Chamber leadership about where you stand, what you’re experiencing, and how we can improve policy outcomes.
- Attend the Chamber’s monthly Roundtables, designed to facilitate healthy dialogue on issues of interest and impact to business and community.
- Reach to our Advocacy team with concerns, questions, or requests for advocacy services.
- Contact your elected representative and copy Chamber staff so we know where you stand.
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COLLABORATION
The Springfield Chamber is a member of state, regional, and national Chamber associations that provide government and legislative affairs resources. The Oregon State Chamber of Commerce, Oregon Business and Industry, and the US Chamber of Commerce are key sources of legislative and policy insight at the state and federal level. They’re also connected with associations that offer specialized industry-sector advocacy and will work with staff at these organizations to gain perspective, resources, and, where aligned, may support their position, research, or other efforts. Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, Lane Families for Farms and Forests, Oregon Forest Industries Council, and Travel Lane County are examples. They also work with local business associations, chambers of commerce, and government affairs liaisons at public and private entities representing local jurisdictions or businesses.
NEW BUSINESS ADVOCACY WEBPAGE
Through the Business Advocacy webpage, members can stay informed on key economic development and advocacy priorities of the Chamber; get engaged by connecting to one of our many advocacy service opportunities; and stay up to date on legislative issues, Chamber testimony, and other advocacy efforts published on the Chamber’s business news site, The Bottom Line. VIEW THE BUSINESS ADVOCACY PAGE HERE.
