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Limited Seating Available

Oshkosh Chamber's 117th Annual Meeting is set to take place on January 16, 2025 starting at 5pm at the Oshkosh Convention Center.

Registration is open for individual tickets for a limited time only. 

New Members Attend Free

Email grace@oshkoshchamber.com to be registered as a new member for this event. 

Valid for new members (October 2023-24) only

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 Dane County judge restored collective bargaining rights for public employees in Wisconsin by overturning portions of 2011 Act 10, a law that reformed public sector collective bargaining laws. Since its enactment, Act 10 has saved taxpayers billions of dollars and provided state and local governments with greater budget flexibility. The ruling is expected to become a focal point of the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election in April. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce released a statement seeking an appeal of the ruling and a reinstatement of Act 10.

• City of Oshkosh Common Council approved the acquisition of an additional 5.5 acres of vacant property in the 3400 Block of North Jackson Street for the development of a new residential subdivision for workforce housing. The city previously purchased an adjacent 5-acre parcel which would connect with the east end of Christian Drive and Farmington Avenue to create 21 single-family lots. While the city’s community development department has initiated this development, the city is uncertain how far it will drive the final subdivision in the event a private developer might take over.

• City of West Allis Administrator Rebecca Grill was selected as the next Oshkosh City Manager, replacing Mark Rohloff, who retired Jan. 3 following 16 years as chief executive for City of Oshkosh operations. Grill has been city administrator and city clerk in West Allis for the past 10 years. She previously worked for 17 years with the City of Milwaukee in the clerk’s office. She has an MBA from Concordia University with an emphasis in finance. Grill expects to relocate to Oshkosh and begin her new position on Feb. 24.

• Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront Hotel at 1 N. Main St. opened its new restaurant, Anchor & Port, in the newly renovated first floor. The restaurant features an American-style menu with a bar and waterfront views from its dining tables.

• Oshkosh City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with The Grand Oshkosh Inc. for a potential expansion of the historic theater adding more reception and event space to the historic downtown theater. Known as “One Opera House Square,” the proposed $10 million capital project includes a new 2-story addition and main entrance; renovations to the existing lobby, lounge and restrooms; real estate acquisition and development of a parking lot; among various other infrastructure, façade and decorative improvements. The city, which owns the facility, will provide half of the project cost – or nearly $5 million – while The Grand Oshkosh Foundation will conduct a fundraising effort seeking $5 million in pledges. The project could begin by 2026.

WISCONSIN and US EMPLOYMENT DATA 

Statewide, unemployment for November registered 2.6%, up slightly from the 2.5% rate a month earlier, but still far below the national average of 4.2%. Total employment in November was just more than 3.09 million working state residents, up nearly 22,500 workers from the same month a year ago.

CITY OF OSHKOSH EMPLOYMENT DATA 

The city’s unemployment rate for November was 2.6%, up one notch from the rate of 2.5% during October as well as a year ago November. There were 34,599 Oshkosh residents working this November compared with 34,516 during the same month of 2023, marking a gain of 83 positions in the city year over year. Total labor force numbers in November were 35,508 in November, up 120 eligible workers from November 2023.

WINNEBAGO COUNTY EMPLOYMENT DATA 

Winnebago County’s unemployment rate for November was 2.3%, the same rate from October and down a tick from the 2.4% unemployment rate last November. There were 92,484 county residents working this November, up 221 workers from the same month in 2023. Winnebago County’s labor force numbers in November were 94,663 compared against 94,501 during November 2023.

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.

Oshkosh Chamber’s Business Outlook Survey for 2025 is now available. The collective results of this survey will be used to project the economic forecast for our area in the industrial, commercial, service, financial and real estate sectors. Please take the time to complete this survey by January 10, 2025. Individual responses will be strictly confidential. The collective results will be made available to the membership. Look for information on the results in the Chamber’s future e-mail communications.

Take the Survey Now

Data on the Impact of Chambers 

From the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executive (ACCE)

Last month the ACCE released the results of a nationwide public opinion poll conducted in conjunction with Harris Poll, that highlights the overwhelmingly positive perception of chambers, along with recognition of the impact we make in our communities. Additional data reinforces that businesses that join chambers have a stronger likelihood of positive outcomes.

Key findings include:

• Chambers are Trusted: 81% of U.S. adults agree that their local chamber is a trusted resource and partner for businesses. 90% feel that their local chamber has an impact on growing the local economy.
• Chamber Membership Strengthens a Business’s Reputation: 64% of adults who are familiar with their local chamber are more likely to purchase goods and services from a business that they know is a member of their local chamber. 63% of these adults are more likely to recommend that business to someone else.
• Chambers Serve Businesses and Communities: 76% of U.S. adults agree that local chambers are stewards of a strong local economy. 74% believe local chambers create jobs and promote local community development. 72% believe local chambers play a key role in addressing community challenges. 
• Business Owners See the Value: 65% of business owners see their local chamber as an advocate for initiatives and policies that are in the best interest of their business. 62% believe the chamber supports the growth and prosperity of their business.
• People Want to Learn More About Their Local Chamber: 70% of U.S. adults wished they knew more about the work their local chamber does in the community. Specifically, they are most commonly interested in learning more about the type of impact local chambers have in their community (49%), more general information about chambers of commerce (43%), and which local businesses are members (42%). 

Source: https://mailchi.mp/acce.org/build-a-chamber-of-the-future-with-acce-12875248?e=48e18aef37

The 2025 Oshkosh City Budget has been finalized and is now available for viewing. Click the button to the right to view the 2025 Oshkosh City Budget. 

Upcoming Events

• OC Connections-January 2025
• 117th ANNUAL MEETING and RECOGNITION PROGRAM
• Propel Young Professional Network-Holiday Party

Keep the "giving season" going with our Adopt-a-School program! 

Adopt-a-School is an Oshkosh Chamber program designed to connect the needs and goals of local schools with the resources and talents of businesses and community organizations. The program seeks to benefit both students and the local business community by enhancing the continual improvement of the education of our students.

To learn more, click the graphic to the right, or contact Shannon Seaman at shannon@oshkoshchamber.com 

Leadership Oshkosh Class of 2025

Leadership Oshkosh and Youth Leadership Oshkosh classes participated in Arts & Culture Day with stops at the Paine Art Center and Gardens, the Grand, the Oshkosh Public Library and also showcased their talents in a drum circle. Manila hosted lunch for the adults.

Oshkosh Chooses New City Manager

EAA Airventure 2025 Benefits Father Carr's Place

Career EXCELerate to enter WI Workforce

Goodwill meets needs of holiday shoppers

EAA Airventure tickets now on sale

FCCU announces new VP of Commercial Operations

FCCU announces new VP of Commercial Credit

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Oshkosh announces next Executive Director

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

December 2024 Renewals

American Red Cross

B Q Services

Bank First

Bay Lakes Council

Becks Meat Processing

Bremer Bank

Carl M Hennig Inc

Cornerstone Processing

Dempsey Law Firm

DMB Community Bank

Dreams Of Jeanne, LLC - Wellness Advocate

Fox Cities Magazine

Fox Valley Metrology

FVS Bank

Gauthier Chiropractic & Wellness Center

Greenway House

Homan Ford

Immel Construction

J Cox Plumbing LLC

Jet Functional Fitness

Lake View Memorial

Lowes Of Oshkosh

Mathfab

Mercury Marine

Miron Construction

Mirror Image Teleprompters

Mr. Brews Taphouse Oshkosh

Old National Bancorp

Omro Pharmacy

Oshkosh Comm Credit Union

Pizza Ranch - Oshkosh

Provident Financial Consultants

Quality Truck Care Center

Rogges Sausage

Rusch Properties

Special Olympics

University Of Wi Osh Foundation

Us Cellular

Watermark 47

WBD Inc.

Witzke Electric

Zillges Materials