Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati & Mercedes-Benz of West Chester: Community Contributers

CLERMONT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Clermont Chamber of Commerce is proud of its culture of involvement, says President Matt Van Sant. Highly engaged members get up each day and are laser focused on the prosperity of Clermont County.

"That is how you become essential to the community. You get things done through the Chamber, not by the Chamber." 

Founded in 1969, the Chamber is now an association of more than 700 businesses, delivering quality programs, products and services that include:

• Public relations, advertising, marketing and provision of information
• Ombudsman and liaison functions
• Financing assistance
• Development planning
• Use of legal powers to influence public policy

Volunteer resources number more than 500, without which, Van Sant says, the Chamber could never have the impact it does in the local neighborhoods, schools and social organizations.

The Clermont Chamber recognizes exemplary leadership at its signature events, and talent is developed through the organization’s leadership academy and the Work Readiness Initiative. The Chamber’s 10-year agenda advances values like balanced growth, a productive citizenry and protected community assets. Making Clermont County a great place for every phase of business and residential life is their ultimate goal. 

 "Our role in the community is to be a critical resource and advocate for the success of business," Van Sant says. "We strive to transform Clermont County into a preferred place to locate, operate and grow a successful company so that there are job opportunities for our residents and a strong tax base in support of public services."

The Clermont County Chamber of Commerce is located at 4355 Ferguson Drive, Suite 150, Cincinnati, OH 45245. For more information, call 513.576.5000, email chamber@clermontchamber.com or visit clermontchamber.com.

CINCINNATI USA REGIONAL CHAMBER

Many business organizations are within the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s 15-county footprint, says Cincinnati Chamber President and CEO President Jill Meyer. Because the Cincinnati Chamber is regional in its service and thinking, it’s focused on the entire Metropolitan Statistical AREA (MSA), representing the interests of nearly 4,000 member businesses in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. It is one of the nation’s largest chambers.

"That’s a unique position because our geographic territory offers all sorts of opportunities for businesses and people," Meyer says. "We’re keeping an eye on all our opportunities so when you loop all of them together in one broad region, we can grow bigger and more expansively because we have so many options."

The Chamber’s core mission – to serve its member businesses and help them grow – is strengthened by its commitment to drive the economic prosperity and vibrancy of the region. Twice recognized as National Chamber of the Year, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, in pursuit of continued success in today’s global economy, provides an array of services including business retention and attraction, programs and events, finding solutions to members’ workforce challenges and government advocacy.

The Chamber’s strategic plan focuses on three pillars: serving as a bold voice for business, expanding the region’s talent base and – what Meyer calls most exciting – harnessing the power of Greater Cincinnati’s unique offerings. That third pillar, she says, begs the question, "What is the quintessential Greater Cincinnati story that differentiates it from any other metropolitan area in the country?

"Let’s start talking unapologetically about what you find when you come to Greater Cincinnati," says Meyer. "Let’s put those amazing stories in the hands of anyone who wants to advocate for the Greater Cincinnati region."

The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is located at 3 East Fourth Street, Suite 200, Cincinnati, OH 45202. For more information, call 513.579.3111, email info@cincinnatichamber.com or visit www.cincinnatichamber.com.

WEST CHESTER-LIBERTY CHAMBER ALLIANCE

The West Chester-Liberty Chamber Alliance – the region’s third largest chamber of commerce – is ecstatic about the growth in West Chester and Liberty townships and along the I-75 Growth Corridor. Representing more than 750 member businesses between Cincinnati and Dayton, their mission is to establish this area as the region’s business epicenter.

Promoting business innovation and growth, advocating free enterprise, addressing issues of regional and local community significance and leading their members to a higher quality of life are other key aspects of the Chamber Alliance’s mission. A major step toward meeting their mission’s goals was launching the HUB (Helping Unleash Business) center in the Chamber Alliance office. 

In addition to SCORE, which has counseled small businesses for 11½ years, the HUB now includes Access Business Finance. Access provides the Small Business Administration (SBA) Grow loan program, formerly known as the SBA 504 program. It helps small to mid-size businesses purchase land to build or renovate a building and to purchase equipment and machinery. Access will provide financial products and support to Chamber Alliance members and the others in the region to help grow and enhance their businesses.

"Access has played a vital role in helping small to mid-size businesses ensure continued growth and success in our region for many years," says Joe Hinson, Chamber Alliance president and CEO. "Along with our longtime associate, SCORE, we have added another great resource to meet the needs of our members and regional business community. The HUB Business Center provides valued business expertise and support at one convenient location."

The West Chester-Liberty Chamber Alliance is located at 8922 Beckett Road, West Chester, OH 45069. For more information, call 513.777.3600, email info@TheChamberAlliance.com or visit www.thechamberalliance.com. 

EUROPEAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF GREATER CINCINNATI

Trade and economic relations between Europe and Greater Cincinnati have never been more important, says Todd Schwartz, executive director of the European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC). Currently, there are nearly 200 European-based companies operating here, employing more than 30,000 people. 

"Those jobs are important not just to the people in them, but to the community around us," Schwartz says. "The European American Chamber of Commerce exists to support those companies, making sure the U.S. knows the importance of those relationships, building on those relationships, encouraging more European companies to come to the Greater Cincinnati region and encouraging U.S. companies to seek new opportunities in Europe."

The EACC, with its trusted and engaged business network, created this dynamic ecosystem to help its members maximize transatlantic business opportunities through collaboration, cooperation and the wellspring of shared business interests. EACC members describe the organization as a "great platform to share best practices and partner with other European-minded executives."

Schwartz, who was named executive director in January, admits that his job – raising the EACC’s visibility to find new partners to work with – is not without its challenges in today’s interesting political climate. 

"There have been a lot of events in the last few years, in terms of both rising tensions in Europe and changing attitudes toward trade here in the United States," he says. "I think the challenge is to find ways to take advantage of the opportunities that arise any time you have political changes, and we have to learn how to navigate these uncertain times."

The EACC remains focused on tackling that challenge, ever intent on stimulating positive business growth here and abroad.

The European American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati is located at 3 East Fourth Street, Suite 100, Cincinnati, OH 45202. For more information, call 513.762.3724, email eacc@europe-cincinnati.com or visit www.europe-cincinnati.com.