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.

​The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced on Monday, May 2, that the Toledo Small Business Development Center at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce has won its 2022 Great Lakes Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Award. Through this award, the SBA recognizes the year's most outstanding SBDC among the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Happy May, Toledo! We could not be more excited to shepherd in sunnier days, warmer weather and the exciting spring and summer events northwest Ohio is known for. Before we get into the upcoming events that you can’t miss in the next few months, let us first celebrate and recognize our newest members who joined the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce member community in April 2022. When you stop by these businesses or meet them out at one of our networking events, don’t forget to congratulate them and offer them a warm welcome to our community.

​​​​​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.

In February, Terra State Community College was awarded the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership’s (TSEP) Partnership in Development Award during TSEP’s 2022 Annual Meeting. Terra State is one of our new members who joined in late 2021, and we are thrilled to share in their excitement of this well-deserved recognition.

April has come, and spring alongside it! As the Toledo Region continues to defrost, we also prepare for some of our favorite events of the year, not just here at the Toledo Chamber but throughout the region. Whether you're a baseball fan ready for the Toledo Mud Hens' opening day, gearing up for our Annual Meeting presented by Fifth Third Bank in just a month or preparing to meet our legislators during our Capitol Conversations in Columbus event after that, we look forward to seeing you around our region and state. Before we discuss what we have planned for the coming weeks, however, let's take a look back at our newest members who joined the Chamber in March 2022!

The Toledo Region business community is rife with varied and unique talent, and we're proud to serve such an accomplished and dedicated community of leaders. During our last week of Women's History Month, we're featuring Erin Curley, CEO and architect at Engage Studio Architects. Check out this Q&A with Curley to learn how she founded her business, what she loves about being a business leader in Toledo and more!

In all stages of your life, you can do business here in the Toledo Region. As Women's History Month continues, get to know a little more about Megan M. Coyle of Coyle Funeral Home and Cremation Services! In any industry, finding businesses and business leaders who align with who you are and what you believe in is of vital importance, and that is especially true when selecting a funeral home or cremation service for a loved one. Learn what makes Megan tick in this blog in celebration of Women's History Month!