Blog Archives - Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce | Toledo, OH

Ohio Property Tax Legislation Continues to Evolve — What Businesses and Taxpayers Should Know

11/24/2025

Property tax reform continues to dominate legislative discussions in Columbus, with a series of bills moving quickly through the General Assembly. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce supports efforts to ensure fairness and predictability in local taxation, we also remain focused on protecting the long-term stability of our schools and economic development efforts.

Last week, four major pieces of property tax legislation — House Bills 129, 186, 309, and 335 — passed the Ohio Senate and will be sent to Governor DeWine for consideration. Each bill approaches reform differently, but all share a common goal: slowing rapid increases in property tax bills while seeking to maintain funding for essential local services.

New Member Spotlight: FirstLight Home Care of Sylvania–Perrysburg

11/19/2025

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome FirstLight Home Care of Sylvania–Perrysburg, established in our region on October 20, 2025 and led by Owner Brian Epstein. With 11 employees and growing, the company is quickly making its mark by providing compassionate, personalized in-home care to individuals and families across Northwest Ohio.

Let’s learn more about them.

Holiday Giving Guide 2025: Shop Local, Support Local, Celebrate Local: How the TRCC Membership Directory Can Help You Find Perfect Gifts, Great Food & Meaningful Ways to Give Back

11/18/2025

The holiday season is here, and with it comes the opportunity to uplift the businesses, nonprofits, and people who make the Toledo Region such a vibrant place to live and work. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift, planning a memorable evening out, or looking for ways to support local nonprofits, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory is your one-stop resource for holiday inspiration.

Our directory features hundreds of businesses across every sector—retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, service providers, cultural institutions, and charitable organizations—making it easier than ever to keep your holiday dollars local. Every purchase, meal, and donation strengthens our region’s economy and supports jobs right here at home.

Explore the full directory at:
➡️ https://web.toledochamber.com/atlas/directory/search

New Member Spotlight: Advocating Opportunity

11/17/2025

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Advocating Opportunity (AO) as a new member. Founded locally in June 2014 and led by Megan Mattimoe, AO provides trauma-responsive, holistic legal and advocacy services for trafficked and exploited persons. With a team of 23 employees, the organization has grown into a nationally recognized leader in human trafficking intervention, victim support, and systemic advocacy.

In this spotlight, we get to know more about Advocating Opportunity, their mission, and the vision behind their work.

New Member Spotlight: Task Force 20 - Supporting Veterans Through Fitness, Community, and Purpose

11/10/2025

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Task Force 20, a veteran-founded nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mental and physical well-being of military veterans through fitness and camaraderie. Founded and led by local veterans, Task Force 20 is making an incredible difference in the lives of those who’ve served our nation.

Veteran-Owned Small Business Finds Success with Support from the SBDC and SBA

11/10/2025

U.S. Army veteran Carl Newmister has always believed in doing “the hard right over the easy wrong”. That same “can-do” mindset that guided his military service now drives his entrepreneurial journey as the owner of Carl’s Patriot Dumpsters, a veteran-owned roll-off dumpster rental company serving Wood County, Perrysburg, and the surrounding Northwest Ohio region.

Carl’s Patriot Dumpsters provides reliable waste management solutions for homeowners, contractors, and local businesses — including construction cleanouts, home renovations, yard debris, and small demolition projects. But like many startup business owners, Carl faced challenges in turning his vision into a sustainable operation.

So, Carl reached out to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce for guidance.

Congratulations to the Chamber's Ebony Carter, 2025 20 Under 40 Leadership Award Honoree

11/4/2025

The 30th Annual 20 Under 40 Leadership Recognition Awards honored the region’s emerging leaders on Monday, November 3, 2025, at the Valentine Theatre. The evening celebrated 153 outstanding candidates nominated for their professional accomplishments and community service. The Chamber's Ebony Carter (front row, 3rd from right), VP of Minority Business Services and Director of the Minority Business Assistance Center was one of the twenty individuals selected for this year’s prestigious recognition. Congratulations to Ebony and all of this year's honorees including:

Helping Our Region Weather a SNAP Disruption

11/3/2025

With the disruption in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits this month due to the federal government funding lapse, it’s prudent for businesses in the Toledo Region to activate plans to support employees, their families, and the broader community. It is estimated that nearly 72,000 people in Lucas County alone will be affected, and our local food banks and non-profits are already feeling the pressure of increased demand.