Big Ideas, Bold Action Shared at What’s Next? Vision Collaboration Action

What’s Next? Vision Collaboration Action was THE place to be for those who want to be a part of shaping the future of Union County.

The annual Chamber update brought together nearly 100 of the most influential business leaders in Union County for an evening of powerful networking and high-impact discussions. Attendees mingled while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and adult beverages before the presentations began.

Chamber Board Members Fred Edwards, Denise White, Jessica Graham, and Dr. Rhett Brown shared brief updates on the work YOUR Chamber is doing to champion business growth and business prosperity throughout Union County.

Chamber Strategic Plan

Board Vice Chair Fred Edwards kicked off those presentations with an update on the Chamber’s Strategic Plan. In January of 2025, the Board approved the latest 3-year strategic plan consisting of 3 Focus Areas:

• Focus Area I: Deliver Value to Members
• Focus Area II: Catalyze Business Growth
• Focus Area III: Build Organizational Capacity

This plan is the compass that guides YOUR Chamber’s work in the areas below.

Workforce Development: Building a Strong Talent Pipeline

One of the central themes of the evening was workforce development—a key challenge across industries and business sizes. As Past Chair Denise White shared, the Chamber is committed to connecting local talent with local employers, ensuring that everyone in Union County has the skills and opportunities needed to thrive.

Key workforce initiatives include:

• Union County Job Fair: Hosted in collaboration with South Piedmont Community College, Union County Public Schools, NC Works, and business partners, the annual job fair connects job seekers with employers and offers essential support services. The 2025 event is scheduled for April 29 at the Ag Center.
• Middle School Speakers Bureau: Business professionals visit classrooms to introduce students to potential career paths before they make crucial high school course decisions. Last year, 94% of students expressed interest in learning more about the companies they heard from.
• Make It in Union County Month: This program expanded manufacturing awareness efforts, reaching nearly 2,000 students through field trips, classroom presentations, and hands-on experiences.

Championing Business Growth Through Advocacy

Advocacy remains at the core of the Chamber’s mission. Dr. Rhett Brown provided an overview of the Chamber’s Legislative Agenda, which focuses on policies that support business development, workforce availability, and economic growth. Notable efforts include:

• Expanding high-speed internet access throughout the county by 2030.
• Addressing wastewater capacity to support business expansion.
• Ensuring every high school student graduates with a plan through collaboration with education and workforce development partners.
• Supporting childcare accessibility to remove barriers to employment.
• Opposing excessive taxation and regulation that hinder local businesses.

The Chamber also fosters dialogue between policymakers and business leaders through events such as the Legislative Agenda Breakfast and ongoing collaborative discussions throughout the year.

Supporting Opportunities for All

Board Secretary Jessica Graham emphasized the Chamber’s commitment to opportunities for all and ensuring that everyone who does business or lives in Union County enjoys a thriving economy and excellent quality of life.

Recent initiatives that reflect this commitment include:

• The Inaugural Latin Festival: Held in partnership with local organizations, the festival attracted over 5,000 attendees to celebrate Latin culture while connecting the community with essential resources.
• Government Contracting Series: In collaboration with the Small Business Center at SPCC, the Chamber hosted an eight-part series to help small businesses secure government contracts and keep revenue local.
• Women in Business Awards: Recognizing six outstanding businesswomen for their contributions to the community and their industries.

Looking Ahead: Future Chamber Initiatives

As the Chamber continues to champion business growth and development, several major initiatives are on the horizon:

• Hiring Adults with Disabilities Conference (March 19): In collaboration with UCHRA, this event will focus on recruiting and integrating individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities into the workforce.
• Small Business Summit (June): Designed to help entrepreneurs build generational wealth and foster business success through networking and educational opportunities.

The What’s Next: Vision, Collaboration, Action event reinforced the importance of working together to shape the future of Union County. Through workforce development, advocacy, and inclusive programming, the Chamber continues to drive meaningful impact in our community.