​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: 

Ohio Senate, District 11

• Paula Hicks-Hudson

​
Ohio House of Representatives, District 41 

• Joshua Williams

Ohio House of Representatives, District 43 

• Wendi Hendricks

Ohio House of Representatives, District 44 

• Elgin Rogers

​
Ohio House of Representatives, District 75 

• Representative Haraz Ghanbari

Lucas County Commissioner

• Lisa Sobecki

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 America’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network is filled with talented young professionals who significantly contribute to their SBDC mission and local communities.

To celebrate these achievements, America’s SBDC has launched the Top 40 Under 40 Young Professionals Award, a recognition of SBDC staff from across the national network who demonstrate innovation, leadership, and commitment to the SBDC mission. This year, they recognized 40 young professionals from 2020 to 2021 and their national conference in San Diego. Among those recognized was Jill Badger, Vice President, Small Business Services at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce.
 
“We are thrilled for Jill to have received this honor from America's SBDC,” said Wendy Gramza, president and CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. "Under her leadership for the past two years, Toledo's SBDC has helped record-breaking numbers of entrepreneurs and small business, many of which are women- and minority-owned, survive and thrive during one of the most challenging times to be a business owner." 

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, offers assistance to entrepreneurs in all stages of the business lifecycle. The SBDC provides free one-on-one counseling centered on the business planning process, including financing, market research, marketing strategies, and management and cash flow analysis. Chamber membership is not required to utilize these services. For more information about the SBDC at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce please call 567.420.1238.

By Faten Aburidi, First Solar Intern

Can you name five fun things to do in the Toledo Region during the Summer?  
 
Genuinely speaking if my employer had not enrolled me in the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Summer in the City program, I probably would not have been able to name two. But let me rewind and give you an insider’s view on my past 3 months as a summer intern.

In May, I started my first internship with First Solar, a leading American solar technology company and global provider of responsibly produced eco-efficient solar modules. As a Mechanical Engineering major at the University of Toledo, this was an exciting new chapter for me and the company’s other interns – most of whom were moving from out of state. When moving out of state we all know what that means: scary new city, no friends, and big changes. For us, that was not the case. Fast forward three weeks into our internship, we were invited to participate in the Summer in the City intern program. 
 
Hosted by the Chamber, this program connected almost 200 interns from more than 20 companies within the Toledo Region to help them meet and make new friends while exploring downtown Toledo and the surrounding region. The program includes fun social events plus professional development opportunities. Some of the events that we enjoyed over the two-month program were a Toledo Mud Hens game with a rooftop picnic, a Maumee River boat cruise, a seminar about the multi-million Glass City River Walk development, and an impromptu get together at The Heights restaurant which offers 360-degree views of downtown, Lake Erie and more! 

​There are different and sometimes complicated moving parts for employers when transitioning employees into retirement. This certainly includes the health insurance aspect and Medicare to be specific.

The Ohio Department of Insurance has a program that can help employers learn more about Medicare, but maybe even most importantly, help transition those soon-to-be-retired employees into Medicare.

​At your Toledo Chamber, we're proud to have a diverse and varied community of members. One such member is Kieffer & Associates, LTD and its President & Chief Advisor William E. "Bill" Kieffer. After Kieffer & Associates, LTD joined the Toledo Chamber membership community, we sat down with Bill to discuss who he is and what his business does and what makes the Toledo Region such a great place to do business. Check out this New Member Spotlight video with Bill Kieffer of Kieffer & Associates, LTD.

About the grant
The State of Ohio and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) have been awarded a three-year, $23,492,808 federal grant through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $500 million Good Jobs Challenge program. The initiative aims to strengthen workforce partnerships that lead to well-paying jobs. Awardees were announced by EDA Aug. 3. The OMA-State of Ohio proposal is one of 32 grants funded nationwide.

​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.