The Leadership Fund, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce's political action committee, was formed in 2001. The purpose is to promote candidates in Toledo and its surrounding communities who understand and work to preserve a pro-business climate in our region. The fund supports candidates at the local and state level and does not endorse candidates for federal office.

 As part of the endorsement process, all candidates from selected races who will appear on the Nov. 8 General Election ballot were invited to interview with members of The Leadership Fund Board. Candidates were evaluated on a set of criteria, which is below.

The Leadership Fund has voted to endorse: 
 
Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court 

• Justice Sharon Kennedy

 
Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court 

• Justice Pat DeWine
• Justice Pat Fischer​

​The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) officially broke ground on the new 20A/I-475 interchange on June 29. Construction on the interchange and widening of I-475 is expected to be completed in December 2024. This has been a long time priority for the Chamber and our partners in the region to support economic development and improve access to existing and future businesses. More information about the project is available on ODOT’s project website and will be updated as the project progresses.

​Senate Bill 225 was signed by Governor Mike DeWine on June 14. The Chamber advocated for language that increases the amount of nonrefundable Opportunity Zone credits that may be issued, to $75 million in the July 2021-June 2023 biennium, up from $50 million. There are more than 20 Opportunity Zones located in Lucas County. 

Like others in the region, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce was encouraged by the announcement of the creation of the Route 23 Connect Initiative a year ago. This initiative of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), along with regional partners at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG), was designed to determine the feasibility of a free-flowing connection between the Columbus and Toledo regions. Improving the connection has been a long-standing priority for the Chamber, TMACOG and others.

​​​​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​We believe that your perspective as a business leader is essential to help guide decision-making in the Toledo region. The Chamber often receives requests from area officials for recommendations to serve on local government boards and commissions. It is vital that these bodies include the expertise of our business community to inform decisions that impact our residents and overall business climate.

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce congratulates the 32 individuals who recently completed their public service leadership training as part of the 2022 Institute for Leadership & Advocacy, the longest-running program of its kind in the state. Graduates were recognized for their accomplishment at a ceremony on March 21 at Glass City Metropark featuring an address by The Honorable Myron Duhart, Presiding Judge for the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals. The graduates are among the more than 460 leaders to date that have completed this course.

Toledo City Council is expected to review at its meeting on Tuesday, March 22, a proposal that would repeal requiring a Special Use Permit (SUP) in order to operate a convenience store as well as the prohibition on placing a convenience store within 2,000 feet of an existing location. The proposal is aimed at avoiding over-regulation of these stores following City Council adopting licensing requirements that are effective May 1.

​At a public hearing at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, Toledo City Council will review comprehensive updates to the city sign code which include banning placement of new billboards. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce opposes this proposed prohibition due to the negative impact it would have on our businesses and Toledo’s economy.

​​​​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its session at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, Toledo City Council will review proposed funding for programs under the City’s Vibrancy Initiative to assist renovating business properties in low to moderate income locations, and the replacement of private lead water lines. Most of the proposed funding falls under Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz’s spending framework for Toledo’s allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars that was previously approved by City Council.

​​​​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its session on Tuesday, January 11 at 2:00 p.m., Toledo City Council will review a proposal that would give the Toledo Plan Commission office zoning code enforcement responsibilities, and change current penalties for zoning code violations.