2026 PROGRAM OF WORK  

Mission Statement:
Champion business. Empower talent. Cultivate community.

Vision Statement:
A dynamic region where businesses succeed, talent flourishes, and collaboration fuels a thriving community.
 

CHAMPION BUSINESS

OBJECTIVE: UNIFIED BUSINESS VOICE

Advocate chamber positions on local, state, and federal legislative issues of importance to the Searcy business community.

• Provide regular legislative and government updates to members.
• Continue to build relationships and include elected officials in board meetings.
   

Coordinate and host events to educate, inform the membership, elected leadership and public on key issues and activities.

• Host In the Know Online events
• Hold quarterly forums for members

OBJECTIVE : THE HUB FOR BUSINESS RESOURCES

Host monthly networking opportunities that alternate between lunch and after-hour events.

• Continue hosting networking opportunities that alternate between Hump Day Hangouts and Connect @ 5 events.
• Host the Chairman’s Memorial Golf Tournament.

Strengthen Ambassador Program

• Improve our Ambassador Committee and programs.

Conduct visits with existing businesses to identify issues and remove barriers to growth and success.

• Host the Accelerate Luncheon Series that has one large event and multiple Lunch & Learns.
• Participate in Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s 75 Strong Program AND create a local Entrepreneur Support Organization.
• Partner in developing and seeking funding sources to further our ESO.
• Hosting quarterly “Member Orientation” meetings.

Prepare and conduct studies such as wage and benefit survey that are deemed appropriate to facilitate the development of the businesses in the Searcy region.

• Prepare and conduct studies such as wage and benefit survey that are deemed appropriate to facilitate the development of the businesses in the Searcy region.
• Create a campaign to highlight local manufacturers and their career opportunities.

Use the chamber’s emails, website and social media platforms to promote members and their job postings, news, and noteworthy events.

• Implement a texting program to improve communications with members.
• Add a link to the directory in all newsletters.

EMPOWER TALENT

OBJECTIVE : REGIONAL WORKFORCE PIPELINE

Assist the High School with the launch of apprenticeship programs.

• Support the High School’s internship/apprenticeship programs.

Facilitate collaborative meetings with business, industry, and educational personnel to conduct plant tours, host onsite visits and build relationships.

• Partner with the SREDC/Forward Searcy to restart Existing Industries Meetings.
• Host an Economics Arkansas Connecting Educators with Industry workshop for teachers.

Find ways to connect K-12 with job opportunities and career in our area.

• Host the second Annual You’re Hired Event to connect graduating Seniors with job opportunities in our area. Wrap up the event with a Signing Day that will promote our local businesses and highlight / promote each student’s choice to go directly into a career.

Work towards achieving ACT Work Ready Community Certification for White County and our region. We will have two years to achieve the certification. CRC will allow us to measure and close the skills gap and provide valuable workforce data for economic development recruitment and Business Expansion.

• Contact local businesses to get them to sign up. Work with Arkansas Workforce Connections, library, ASU-Searcy and schools to increase the number of individuals that take the CRC. We will have two years to achieve the certification.

Continue to host Career/Job Fairs

• Continue to host Career Fairs in partnership with Arkansas Workforce Connections.
• Create a regional career exploration fair.

Support area programs that assist employees and employers in dealing with workforce issues.

• Promote and develop awareness of local programs that work to address drug abuse and mental illness.
• Promote upskilling opportunities through Adult Education and other available avenues.

OBJECTIVE : LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Strengthen the Leadership Searcy Program.

• Continue to grow and improve Leadership Searcy.

Look to develop programs that students in k-12.

• Development the Leadership Searcy Youth program.

Create or promote available training that’s free or has a minimal cost.

• Develop a small business resource hub.
• Continue or expand Small Business Training seminars.

CULTIVATE COMMUNITY

OBJECTIVE: REGIONAL VISIBILITY AND PRESENCE

Invest in technology and digital infrastructure to strengthen member engagement and support entrepreneurship.

• Evaluate and implement a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to streamline communication, track engagement, and enhance member service.
• Redesign and launch a new Chamber website that integrates city and county resource links for easier access to local information and business tools.
• Create and expand online entrepreneurship support resources, including startup guides, partner connections, and information about local Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs).

 

Celebrate the Chamber’s accomplishments and high performing local businesses.

• Host the chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet and highlight businesses and our community.

Enhance community visibility and member engagement through storytelling and promotional publications.

• Produce the annual Searcy Newcomer’s & Relocation Guide.
• Complement the publication with member spotlights, testimonials, and podcast features that promote our Chamber members, celebrate community success stories, and strengthen Searcy’s reputation as a vibrant place to live, work, and do business.
• Increase use of technology in promotion and storytelling.

OBJECTIVE: COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

Leverage digital communication channels to celebrate members and showcase community engagement.

• Use social media platforms and email marketing to promote and highlight member anniversaries, ribbon cuttings, and milestones, increasing visibility for Chamber members and reinforcing the value of membership through consistent, high-quality storytelling.

Enhance the Chamber’s visibility and community presence by ensuring that staff and leadership are actively engaged and represented at key events and activities throughout the region.

• Develop an annual engagement schedule for Chamber staff and board members to attend, and support major community events and celebrations.
• Promote Chamber participation by sharing photos and highlights on social media and in newsletters to showcase leadership involvement and community connection.

Promote community wide events and activities.

• Continue to promote community wide events and activities in our upcoming events newsletters and social media.

In general, perform activities pursuit to fulfillment of the chamber’s contract with the city of Searcy.

• In general, perform activities and functions that are necessary and appropriate to the pursuit of the common goal of Searcy, Moving Searcy Forward and SREDC in attracting and developing business and industry to Searcy, aiding in the creation of new jobs, retaining existing jobs, and improving the economic environment in Searcy.

Support the implementation of the master plan for the city and the city's efforts to secure grant funding.

• Write letters of support to help secure grant funding.

Facilitate regular collaboration meetings among key economic development partners.

Host quarterly coordination meetings with the Economic Development Corporations, Main Street Searcy, Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO) partners, and the Advertising & Promotion (A&P) Commission to share updates, align strategies, and identify joint opportunities that advance Searcy’s economic development goals.