Taking Care of Politics, So You Can Take Care of Business
Small Businesses: The Unsung Heroes of Innovation and Growth – But at What Cost?
Across America, small businesses are the backbone of innovation and economic growth. Yet, these job creators are being strangled by complex and cumbersome federal, state, and local regulations. The regulatory cost of the most significant federal rules exceeds $40 billion, with small businesses shouldering 82% of this burden. State and local governments add even more layers of regulation, further complicating the landscape. From minimum wage laws to workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and occupational licensing, these additional requirements significantly negatively impact small businesses.
Though you might not find the time to attend our events or participate in programs, you can take comfort in knowing the Chamber is working diligently on behalf of your business.
Fighting for Businesses Small and Large!
One of the most valuable, and often overlooked functions of a chamber is being an advocate for the business community. The Chamber works to represent the collective voice of the business community. Whether it's setting legislative goals, working with our lobbyist, sending out Action Alerts or keeping voters informed through our forums, the goal is ensuring an environment where business can prosper.
Do You Think Lobbying is Not Important? Think Again.
Read:
THE REGULATORY IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESS: COMPLEX. CUMBERSOME. COSTLY.
We are the Voice of Business
Independence Matters for True Business Representation:
Stay Independent: Our Government-Free Guarantee
- No Elected Officials on Our Board
- No Government Funding
- We solely focus on advocating for the interests of the business community
- Feedback from the business community highlights the Chamber's unwavering commitment to prioritizing the needs and interests of local businesses.
Holding Elected Officials Accountable:
State Legislative Report Card
The annual scorecard on how our state elected officials voted on key business issues. This scorecard evaluates the votes of each senator and representative and represents the positions of the West Valley Chamber Alliance that were communicated to our state lawmakers throughout the Regular Session. Click Here
Our Lobbyist
Fennimore Craig, one of the premier lobbying firms, is contracted to work with the Chamber of Commerce to support the collective interests of businesses in the West Valley! We take care of the politics so you can take care of business.
Action Alerts
The Chamber is here to help YOU take action. An Action Alert is a message that the Chamber sends to almost 12,000 businesses, members and stakeholders, calling on them to take action to influence public policy. Typically, action alerts are in reference to a timely issue, where prompt action is needed in order to affect upcoming decisions. Our easy to use One-Click Letters makes it easy to have your voice heard!
Candidate Forums
We sponsor candidate forums because we believe people have a right to know what their candidates for public office say about issues that affect our business community.
Our Legislative Agendas
Our state and local Legislative Agenda makes it clear what our business community expects from their elected officials… removing obstacles to job creation and supporting economic growth.
Harnessing the Power of the Unified Voice of the Business Community
The Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce collaborates* with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest and most influential lobbying group in America! Also working with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and the West Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance we are able rally resources and mobilize around common issues giving our Chamber a louder voice at all levels of government.
Chamber Chat: Current Issues Unpacked
Chamber Chat is changing the game for local businesses! Chamber Chat: Current Issues Unpacked is a signature program of the Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Chat: Current Issues Unpacked serves as a critical platform for dissecting current issues and political topics with subject matter experts. In an ever-changing business landscape, staying informed is paramount for businesses and the community at large. This program enables our members to gain insights directly from experts, helping them navigate complex challenges and make informed decisions, and all episodes are conveniently published on the Chamber's social media channels.
Connect & Engage Events
The Chamber of Commerce and the West Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance proudly present the "Connect & Engage" events, a cornerstone of our community's professional landscape. These prestigious gatherings attract a diverse array of attendees, including Chamber members, board members, government relations committee members, business professionals, and elected officials from all levels of government.
These events are more than just networking opportunities; they are a vital platform for fostering meaningful connections and engaging in transformative conversations. By participating, attendees can forge invaluable relationships, gain profound insights into pressing community issues, and collaborate on groundbreaking initiatives that drive progress for both businesses and the public sector.
Join us at "Connect & Engage" and be a part of the dynamic dialogue that shapes our community's future.
Candidate Endorsements
The Chamber's endorsements go to candidates who have a proven track-record on issues that are important to businesses and their employees. The candidates we endorse understand the importance of advancing policies, ordinances, and legislation that encourages economic growth, job creation and a less intrusive government.
Resources for Elected Officials
If you are an elected official or thinking about running for office check out our candidate forum tips, what elected officials need to know about economic development, and a special report entitled The Regulatory Impact on Small Business: Complex, Cumbersome, Costly.
We Work to Defend the Right of Small Business Owners to Own and Operate their Businesses without Undue Government Interference.
Meet Our Chamber Advocay Team
The Chamber CEO works with the Board Directors and our Advocay team in reviewing, drafting and approving our legislative agenda, and vetting bills that impact buisnesses small and large. As business advocates our Governement Relations Chair and Lobbyist work hard to protect our free enterprise system by reminding elected officials that removing obstacles to job creation and economic growth is paramount.
Our Government Relations Chair
Rick Gray is both a former small business owner and an American politician and former member of the Arizona Senate as well as a former Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives. As the Chamber Governement Relation chairperson he also sits on the board of directors. Mr. Gray was the first person to receive the Chambers' Spirit of Free Enterprise Award which honors elected officials and is recognition of their support for pro-business policies and the mission work of the Chamber of Commerce. To receive the award, the elected official must have a voting record that reflects chamber priorities throughout their term.
Our Lobbyist
Alexis Glascock represents the our Chamber and the West Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance’s interests at the Capitol and with State Agencies. She has over 20 years of public affairs experience representing business interests. Alexis’ firm, Fennemore, is one of the Southwest’s oldest and most well-respected law firms. At her firm she chairs the Government Relations and Regulatory practice group. Their professional lobbying services enhance our work at all levels, so we can more effectively support the collective interests of businesses communtty in the West Valley!
Do You Think Lobbying is Not Important? Think Again.
Regulations and taxes at all levels of government stifle entrepreneurship and free enterprise in America!
- Small business is America’s business.
- Federal regulations and the massive infrastructure to support it, impact every small businesses.
- Beyond the federal level, small businesses have to deal with a maze of red tape from state and local governments to start a business, apply for a business or occupational license, hire employees, pay taxes, enforce contracts, put up signs, and even close a business. This regulatory complexity is death by a thousand cuts to America’s small businesses.
- Every business can become a Chamber advocate, and defend small businesses, while championing free enterprise!
Though you might not find the time to attend our events or participate in programs, you can take comfort in knowing the Chamber is working diligently on behalf of your business.
We are Safeguarding Free Enterprise & Building Stronger Communities
American free enterprise has contributed to our citizens having one of the highest standards of living in the world, unsurpassed economic prosperity, and its people being the most generous in the world!
Free enterprise fosters competition, which means that more companies open up, more innovation, more jobs, our quality of life increases, and our communities get stronger.
Private property, economic freedom, economic incentives, competitive markets, and the limited role of government are the characteristics of a free enterprise system.
Our Chamber's existence reflects our fervently-held belief that the health of the business community and the health of larger community in which it lives are inseparable. And our work – of safeguarding free enterprise and providing the tools that business need to succeed – is central to the success of the community as a whole.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Chamber of Commerce is to champion economic prosperity, foster a pro-business climate, and to improve the quality of life in our region.
VISION STATEMENT
To be universally recognized for our unique and invaluable role in helping businesses prosper and helping our communities thrive.
We are not your old school chamber: Click here for details
