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The Oshkosh Chamber is launching it's "Member Spotlight" opportunity for all members. 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

Our Annual Meeting with be taking place January 15, 2026 at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Part of the evening's program includes an awards ceremony. We are beginning to accept nominations for Small Business of the Year.

Do you know of a small business deserving of this award? Please submit your nominations to grace@oshkoshchamber.com! The submission deadline is October 10th.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be an independently owned, profit-making enterprise for at least 5 years.
• Must have fewer than 200 full-time employees.
• Must be an Oshkosh Chamber member headquartered in Oshkosh.

Listen to this weeks updates from Bob Burnell-veteran new broadcaster and long-time voice of "Its Newsworthy" 

Get to know other people at the Oshkosh Chamber with our newest networking opportunity,  Oshkosh Chamber Network Builder, presented by Elsewhere Market & Coffee House + Rise & Grind!

• A study compiled by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh for Experimental Aircraft Association indicated EAA’s annual AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention contributes an economic impact of $257 million for the Fox Valley region each year. The figure was based upon AirVenture 2024 totals, which included record attendance of 686,000. The study identified direct spending of $95 million just in Oshkosh, reflecting an overall economic impact of $117 to Oshkosh. The larger figure for the five-county region composed of Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Outagamie, Calumet and Brown includes a total of $171 million in direct spending. The study also indicates total spending supports an estimated 2,092 full and part-time jobs in the region.

• Two separate residential subdivision proposals for new single-family home development received preliminary plat approval from the City of Oshkosh Plan Commission in July. The first subdivision, Casey’s Meadow South addition, includes 91 lots in an agricultural area near the intersection of W. 20th Avenue and Clairville Road on the city’s far southwest side. It’s an extension of the Casey’s Meadow South subdivision which began in 2005 from Oshkosh developer Chet Wesenberg. The second proposal is for an addition to Island View Estates near the intersection Sherman and Sunnyview roads on the city’s far northeast corner. This development from Zacher Enterprises of Oshkosh includes 21 single-family parcels, three undeveloped outlots and a larger parcel to be platted with an 18-unit condominium. It’s an extension of an existing subdivision originally developed in 1995.

WISCONSIN and US EMPLOYMENT DATA 

Wisconsin’s June unemployment rate dropped a tick to3.2 percent and is down the same amount from the June 2024 rate of 3.3 percent. In June, there were 3,084,514 state residents working, a decrease of more than 23,000 employees statewide compared with the same month a year ago. The national unemployment rate for June was 4.4 percent, a sharp increase from the May jobless rate of 4.0 percent.

CITY OF OSHKOSH EMPLOYMENT DATA 

The city’s unemployment rate for June was 3.2 percent, up a notch from May but still below the June 2024 mark of 3.4 percent. Total employment in Oshkosh for June was 34,356, about 330 fewer positions from the same time a year ago. Overall, the city’s total labor force declined from 35,911 a year ago to 35,476 this past June.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY EMPLOYMENT DATA 

Winnebago County’s unemployment rate for June held steady at 3.0 percent and is down from the June 2024 rate of 3.2 percent rate. Total employment of 89,736 positions across Winnebago County decreased 877 jobs from June 2024 county employment figures. Winnebago County’s overall labor force decreased more than 1,000 workers over the course of the past year to 92,542 total workers this past June compared with a labor force of 93,563 during June 2024.

If you’d like more information or have questions about this data, please contact Sean Fitzgerald, Economic Development Director for the Oshkosh Chamber, at sean@oshkoshchamber.com or call 920.303.2265, ext. 20.

Upcoming Events

• AM Oshkosh-Glacier Dental
• Propel Oshkosh Young Professionals: XRoads41 Pre-Event Kickoff Concert & Behind the Scenes Tour
• Amplify & Propel, Etc. Member Mixer @ Waterfest
• OC Connection Breakfast-August 2025
• August Golf Outing
• Propel Oshkosh Young Professionals: Morning Mingle with UW Oshkosh's New Chancellor
• Business After Hours-August 2025
• Ribbon Cutting - Truffle Pig

Adopt-A -School Program 

Looking for a way to impact your community and its rising starts?! A way to gain visibility amongst a younger generation and give back? Consider become a school partner in the Adopt-A-School program!  

If you would be interested in learning more about adopting one of our amazing available schools, please reach out to Shannon Seaman at shannon@oshkoshchamber.com to learn more! Already matched up? We would love your stories, feedback, and input so we can do a spotlight on your connection! Not looking to adopt, but interested in helping... We have options for you as well!

FutureYOU - Register Now

Registration is open for the 2025 FutureYOU!  Our new venue offers plenty of room, so the sky if the limit on what you can bring to show off and interact with our young minds! We will also be bringing groups of high school students through as well for a little timely career inspiration! Register now to secure your spot!

The next event in our Concierge Lunch & Lead Series will be Friday, September 12th with the topic of "Education in Oshkosh". 

Register Now

Mark your calendars and register now for these 2 exciting events coming up for Amplify Oshkosh. $10 only for each of these events, which all include food, drinks and great opportunities to make connections in the tech space!

Amplify Member Mixer at Waterfest - August 7th

Tech & Tell - October 8th

Propel Oshkosh Young Professionals is a development and networking group for young professionals aged 18-40 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Propel is overseen by a volunteer board of directors and committees and is a program offered by the Oshkosh Chamber.

Propel’s mission is to engage and empower young professionals through community involvement, networking, and professional and personal growth. To achieve our mission, we empower our members through three avenues: Lead, Grow, Do.

Propel can enrich your life in many ways; our organization allows you to mingle at social events, get your hands dirty, and enrich your professional or personal development.  You can also be part of one of our many committees dedicated to making Propel the premiere young professionals group. 

Propel’s vision is to make Oshkosh the destination for young professionals in Wisconsin.

Goodwill NCW Winner of 2025 USA TODAY Top Workplaces Award 

Fox Communities Credit Union Announces Steve Gineris as Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending

Fox Communities Credit Union Announces Heather Wessley as Vice President of Community Impact

Send your Press Releases and Business Briefs to grace@oshkoshchamber.com to have them included in next months Member Matters