July 22 was a big day for Lincoln. Surrounded by hundreds of business leaders at our annual Economic Development Breakfast, we launched our Economic Vitality Strategic Plan for the Lincoln community. This important process will guide programming for the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and unite stakeholders with shared community goals to drive Lincoln’s prosperity for years to come.

And you play a vital role.

Gathering feedback from Lincoln business leaders is crucial as we define a vision for our city’s economic future and outline how to achieve it. We invite you to share your thoughts on Lincoln’s current challenges, opportunities and priorities for the future by participating in the “Economic Vitality Strategy Community Survey” found on our website at LCOC.com.

This process is not new to the Lincoln business community. Years ago, a similar process was launched, resulting in 20 years of unprecedented economic growth within our city. Development continues along the Antelope Valley Corridor, Innovation Campus, the Telegraph District and the West Haymarket, while our community is also experiencing unprecedented construction downtown – predominantly modern multifamily and mixed-use projects that will increase the number of downtown Lincoln residents. Businesses across the city continue announcing major expansions, as Lincoln’s startup ecosystem has elevated local entrepreneurship to new heights. The promise of Pinnacle Bank Arena has been fulfilled, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the community to experience an expanding list of headliner concerts, sporting events and annual group conventions, while exceeding financial stability goals and debt payment.

The 2015 Vision, created and prioritized by a group of dedicated business leaders, outlined 10 projects, including those mentioned above, which served as pillars to driving the prosperity of our community. The 2015 Vision became the shared strategic plan for Lincoln, aligning the business community, elected leadership and institutions like the University of Nebraska, behind commonly held objectives. It was an important turning point for Lincoln and an example of the potential we have as a community once again as we embark upon this next important phase for our city.

To help guide us through our strategic planning process, we have partnered with two leading national consultants from Broad Ripple Strategies and DMOproz. They bring over 50 years of collective experience in community-driven economic development and tourism growth strategies to this process for Lincoln, including cities like Austin, Madison, Des Moines, Topeka and many more.

Our Economic Vitality Strategic Plan will define a vision for our economic prosperity, challenging both the Chamber and Lincoln community to think big as we outline new pathways to expand tourism, recruit new employers, further support entrepreneurs and small businesses and invest in our future. I encourage you to make your voice heard and help shape Lincoln’s future by visiting LCOC.com today to take this important survey.

Chamber Membership

Membership in the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce offers instant access to Lincoln’s largest business network. Beyond extensive connections, valuable resources and premier events, Chamber membership also offers:

Credibility. What they say is true – people work with those they trust. Marketing your business as a Lincoln Chamber member heightens your credibility within the business community. Just as chambers are recognized across the globe for their support of their local economies, your association with the Lincoln Chamber conveys your commitment as well.

Advocacy. Day in and day out, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce policy team serves as the advocate for business at the local, state and federal levels. Our members are not alone in their pursuit of advocacy for growth and prosperity within the community. Lincoln Chamber membership offers businesses a united, impactful voice and direct access to the policymaking officials that influence business climate and economic growth.

Connections. The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce team is a connector, providing our members with valuable introductions to new customers and referral sources. In addition to offering a variety of networking opportunities throughout the year, the Lincoln Chamber is dedicated to promoting our member businesses to not only one another, but to the community at large as well. We are proud to offer our members a platform to initiate important conversations to grow their businesses.

Learn more about how the five-star accredited Lincoln Chamber of Commerce can help your business succeed at lcoc.com.