Small Businesses Finding Updated Resources in the Chamber’s ‘Solutions Hub’
This week, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has further expanded its Small Business Solutions Hub (SBSH), adding new resources focused on disaster preparedness, business resiliency, and the impact of technology on small business. These tools can be found on the SBSH digital Hub, and are designed to help local entrepreneurs strengthen their operations.
Meanwhile, this Friday’s Small Business Solutions Hub program, SEO & Social Media in Practice, will turn the spotlight to a different kind of resilience – your business’ digital presence – with a hands-on session exploring SEO and social media strategies to help your business thrive online. Register today to join Chamber members and digital experts Friday for a light lunch and an informative session; or you can participate via Zoom.
Visit the digital Hub:
Small Business Solutions Hub
Access practical tools, guides, and
insights designed to help your business thrive.
From financial planning to workforce
development, the Hub is your one-stop
resource for small business success.
Upcoming Program | Friday, October 17:
SEO & Social Media in Practice
Join us for this quarter’s Small Business
Solutions Hub Program, featuring practical strategies to boost your visibility online.
Learn how to optimize your website and
social media channels for growth.
New Disaster Preparedness Resources
This quarter, the Chamber has added a suite of disaster readiness and resiliency resources from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to help small businesses prepare for and recover from unexpected disruptions:
Small Business Readiness for Resiliency:
Guidance for developing a recovery plan and applying for post-disaster grants.
Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) Toolkit:
Practical templates and checklists for risk assessment and emergency response.
Disaster Help Desk for Businesses:
A national hotline and info center connecting businesses to disaster recovery support.
Beyond the Payoff:
A new report exploring the economic benefits of proactive disaster planning.
These tools are designed to help business owners protect their assets, employees, and customers, and to recover faster when challenges arise.
Spotlight Resource: The Impact of Technology on U.S. Small Business
Also newly added to the digital Hub is the U.S. Chamber’s Impact of Technology on U.S. Small Business report. The report highlights how technology continues to transform small business operations and growth; that nearly all small businesses now use at least one digital platform; and perhaps most importantly – those that embrace technology report higher sales, stronger optimism, and greater resilience.
Among the report’s key findings:
- AI adoption is accelerating. 58% of small businesses now use generative AI, more than double the rate just two years ago.
- Technology fuels growth. 82% of small businesses using AI have expanded their workforce in the past year.
- Innovation remains strong. 96% of owners plan to adopt emerging tools such as AI and cryptocurrency to stay competitive.
- Technology drives stability. Eight in ten small businesses credit digital tools with helping them manage inflation, supply chain disruptions, and access to capital.
These trends underscore how innovation enables small businesses to adapt, expand, and compete in a rapidly changing economy.
The Small Business Solutions Hub will evolve to meet local needs with quarterly business education programming, essential resources and information, and resources from local investor partners. The Chamber encourages its members – and the greater community of business owners – to bookmark the digital Hub and make it your first stop when you’re looking for guidance to help your business grow.
