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From the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley, local Chambers of Commerce are where Texas’ economic success begins. They are the first call for an entrepreneur looking to expand their operations in Texas, the convener when a major employer is weighing a new project site, and the steady voice of the business community at city halls, before the Texas Legislature, and in Washington.

This week, Governor Greg Abbott proclaimed October 19–23 Chamber of Commerce Week in Texas, recognizing the work chambers do every day to build stronger communities and a bigger, better Texas:

“By supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, the backbone of the Texas economy, chambers help create new opportunities, strengthen communities, and foster a positive vision for the future.”

– Texas Governor Greg Abbott

We know that local chambers across Texas have a statewide impact, which is exactly what makes the Texas chamber network so powerful. Small businesses make up 99.8% of all Texas businesses and employ nearly half of all working Texans – many of them rely on a hometown chamber that knows their community inside and out. Through business retention and expansion, workforce development, networking, and advocacy, local chambers help businesses grow and improve quality of life for their neighbors.

Multiply that work across hundreds of communities, and you get a state that continues to lead the nation in job creation and new investment. Just last week, Governor Abbott announced that Texas is continuing to outpace the nation in year-over-year job growth.

Wednesday, October 21 is National Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day, when Texans are encouraged to attend a local chamber event, shop at a member business, or simply thank the chamber professionals who work tirelessly to support the business community in their hometown. Chambers can find social media graphics, suggested captions, and more on the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives (TCCE) Texas Chamber Week page.

That afternoon from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. CT, TCCE will host its Chamber Week webinar, Hometown Chambers. Statewide Impact: Preparing for What’s Ahead. I am honored to join Adriana Cruz, Executive Director of the Governor’s Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, and other state and business leaders to discuss the upcoming 90th Texas Legislature, the key issues facing the business community, and how chambers can effectively engage and advocate for their communities.

The webinar is free for all TCCE members – register here.

Since taking on my new role here at the Texas Association of Business (TAB), one thing is already clear: our partnership with local chambers is foundational to everything we do. I am grateful to Chelsie Kramer and the entire TCCE team – the longest-standing association of chamber of commerce professionals in the United States – for their leadership in bringing this network together.

As the 90th Legislative Session approaches, TAB looks forward to working with our partners at the local, state, and federal levels to advance the pro-business policies that will keep Texas the best place in America to start, grow, and build a business.

Read Governor Abbott’s full proclamation here and find more information about Texas Chamber of Commerce Week here.

   -Kelly Keel, President & CEO, Texas Association of Business

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