Our staff has received multiple phone calls recently, as they usually do, of folks looking to relocate to our great city.
Along with the many resources they arm these potential new Abilenians with, one of the top questions they’ve received recently is, “what does your economy look like right now due to COVID-19?”
I have shared previously that the impact and effects from COVID-19 won’t be known for months or even years to come, but there’s something that will help our community get past this crisis and move even more quickly to recovery.
Today, along with our Chamber Board of Directors, I’m pleased to announce your Chamber will be represented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) to study economic recovery and resilience strategies with 41 other chamber of commerce professionals from communities throughout the United States.
We’re extremely honored to have been selected to help better lead Abilene, Texas, and our nation through the post COVID-19 economic recovery by the Chamber’s national peer association, but even more honored that this will arm your Chamber organization with the ability to learn from a select few of the top Chamber executives across the country.
Throughout this year-long Fellowship for Economic Recovery, our work will focus on addressing different aspects of economic recovery from education and talent to economic development to entrepreneurship. And, this opportunity will combine your Chamber’s strong commitment to align local resources to support the interests of our growing membership and provides our great city an advantage as we work to assist the job creators and risk takers in our area.
The most significant benefit of this fellowship, for me, is the ability to remain present in our community as I engage and represent the interests of our business community virtually. Being hands-on with our member businesses and advocating for their success is what has driven me professionally for over 30 years. And now, more than ever, I am proud to represent the Abilene business community as we take more steps toward economic recovery – together.
Onward!