This Month's Member Matters is Sponsored by: 

A New Opportunity For Oshkosh Chamber Members 

Oshkosh Chamber is looking for the next member who wants to be in the "Member Spotlight". Any and all members can apply each month and all applicants will be voted on by Oshkosh Chamber representatives on the following criteria:

• Involvement with the Oshkosh Chamber
• #of events attended, program involvement, sponsorships, etc.
• Summary of “what it it means to be an Oshkosh Chamber member and how your business has benefited from becoming/being a member”.
• Supporting materials/testimonials

Looking to Connect with Other Oshkosh Chamber Members? 

Get to know other people at the Oshkosh Chamber with this internal networking opportunity, Oshkosh Chamber Network Builder, presented by Elsewhere Market &Coffee House + Rise & Grind! Sign up and start connecting now!

Oshkosh Public Library and Wisconsin DWD partner on JobPod

The partnership between the Oshkosh Public Library (OPL) and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is set for its grand openings and ribbon cutting on January 9th. This partnership will provide job seeker services which includes a dedicated JobPod on the library's second floor. This collaboration is part of a broader, statewide effort by the Wisconsin Public Library System and the DWD to assist residents with job searching and workforce development. The agreement aims to provide both online and in-person job search assistance tools to anyone in need of help, making these essential services readily available within the community. The library's participation aligns with its strategic planning goal of being community-driven and responsive to new challenges, such as those arising from the pandemic and changing job market dynamics.

ThedaCare Medical Center-Oshkosh Opening Soon

ThedaCare Medical Center-Oshkosh is nearing its January 19th completion date at 250 W. 6th Ave, Oshkosh. This micro-hospital is adding new jobs to the community and services, including emergency care and primary/specialty services. Additional details can be found on the ThedCare website: https://thedacare.org/news-and-events/thedacare-medical-center-oshkosh-to-open-in-january-2026/ 

Mill on Main Updates

The Oshkosh Chamber EDAC group was afforded the opportunity to take a site tour of the phase 1 building at the new Mill on Main development in the Sawdust district on S Main St. The five-story building features 115 residential units, a clubhouse with amenities such as: a communal space, a gym, and a golf simulator. The property also includes five commercial spaces and an additional 2-story waterfront commercial space. For more information, visit their website: https://twallenterprises.com/properties/mill-on-main/ 

Advocap Groundbreaking

Advocap had a groundbreaking in December for their new childcare incubator that is being developed off Jackson Street to help address local childcare shortages. This first-of-its-kind childcare facility will have incubator spaces replicating small homes, that will be independently owned and operated small businesses.

2025 Unemployment Data Updates

Unemployment numbers for the end of the year are largely unavailable due to the government shutdown. Reporting for October has been cancelled and November numbers will not be available until sometime mid-January, with the December unemployment information being released at the end of January. Moving into February, the reporting should be back on schedule.

Resources for You

Governor Evers signs 2025 Wi Act 78 into law.  The bill enhances the housing and childcare tax credit incentives under the State’s Business Development Tax Credit program to encourage greater workforce housing and childcare investment by Wisconsin businesses and was supported by WEDA and the Oshkosh Chamber.  

Read More Here: Gov. Evers Signs Top WEDA Legislative Priority into Law – WEDA

Additional Resources & Advocacy News

Middle Market Firms See Growth Despite Inflation Pressures | U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Oshkosh has a new council member to replace Kris Larson, who resigned

Oshkosh Council Members Floam and Nichols will not seek reelection - Civic Media

• Propel Oshkosh Young Professionals: Holiday Party at Tipsy Tinsel Taproom
• Ribbon Cutting - Oshkosh Public Library/ Workforce Development
• OC Connection Breakfast-January 2026
• Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce: Youth Apprenticeship
• 118th Annual Meeting
• Ribbon Cutting - Wild Kind Dispensary
• Propel Oshkosh Young Professionals: Morning Mingle at Elsewhere Market
• Ideas Amplified - January 2026 - AI in Education and Beyond: Data Quality, Governance, and the Human Factor

New in 2026!... Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce 

We’re excited to announce the launch of Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce, a new business-focused webinar series designed to strengthen connections between local employers and today’s students in Oshkosh. This series will explore practical ways businesses can engage with schools and make a lasting impact through career-based learning experiences.

Each session will be short, focused, and interactive—giving you actionable insights and an opportunity to ask questions. Our goal is simple: help you discover how easy and rewarding it can be to shape the future workforce while supporting Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) students.

The first webinar debuts January 14th from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM, featuring educators from the Oshkosh Area School District, including Alex Torres and Melanie Wroblewski, on the topic:
Youth Apprenticeships: What’s Involved, How Simple It Can Be, and Our Goals for the YA Program in OASD High Schools.

You’ll learn:

• What youth apprenticeships look like in practice
• How your business can participate with minimal complexity
• The vision for expanding opportunities in the coming years

This is your chance to be part of something transformative—helping students gain real-world experience while building a stronger, future-ready workforce for Oshkosh.

Stay tuned for registration details and upcoming topics in the series. Together, we can amplify opportunities and shape tomorrow’s workforce—starting today.

Register Now!

Link2Learn Returns!

Join us for the second annual Link2Learn event—a unique opportunity for local businesses to step inside Oshkosh North High School and engage directly with Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) educators and staff. This event is designed to foster meaningful connections between the business community and our schools. Attendees will: Explore learning spaces and see firsthand what students experience every day. Learn about current curriculum and innovative programs shaping student success. Engage in conversations with educators to discover ways your business can support learning and career readiness. Our goal is to build partnerships that enhance educational opportunities and prepare students for the future workforce. Whether through mentorship, internships, or collaborative projects, your involvement can make a lasting impact.

Link2Learn - Oshkosh North High School

Youth Leadership Oshkosh

Youth Leadership Oshkosh enjoyed a meaningful Arts & Culture Day filled with creativity, reflection, and connection. The group visited the Paine Art Center and Gardens with a tour of the historic mansion, and The Nutcracker in the Castle, while also creating gratitude ornaments—highlighting gratitude as an essential trait of strong leaders. They also learned about the various career opportunities in the arts. The day concluded with class participation in a drum circle, where students experienced the power of rhythm and the importance of human connection. Together, these activities reinforced how arts and culture help develop community, teamwork, and leadership.

Leadership Oshkosh

Leadership Oshkosh Class of 2026 enjoyed an inspiring Arts & Culture Day celebrating creativity and community. The day began at the Paine Art Center and Gardens with a lesson in art appreciation, a tour of the historic mansion, and a visit to The Nutcracker in the Castle. Participants then shared an incredible lunch at Manila, followed by an energizing drum circle at the Rhythm Institute. The day concluded with a tour of The Grand Oshkosh and a presentation highlighting the exciting expansion underway, showcasing the vibrant future of arts and culture in our community.

Propel Oshkosh Young Professionals

Propel Oshkosh Young Professionals is a development and networking group for young professionals aged 18-40 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Propel’s mission is to engage and empower young professionals through community involvement, networking, and professional and personal growth.

Propel Christmas Party is just around the corner! Become a member today to get your invite! 

Amplify

AI in Education and Beyond: Data Quality, Governance, and the Human Factor From classrooms to boardrooms, the journey of tech adoption reveals striking parallels—and lessons worth amplifying. Featuring Dr. David Gundlach, K–12 AI and Digital Transformation Consultant with Heartland Business Systems, this session kicks off a year-long set of conversations on data with Amplify. We’ll explore six ways AI is transforming education, uncover how data quality practices can make or break success, and tackle the human side of tech through effective data governance.