The Fox Cities Chamber continued to advance regional economic development efforts during the second quarter of 2026, reaching a major membership milestone while expanding support for local businesses, employers, and the region’s future workforce.
During Q2, the Chamber welcomed its 2,000th member, making it the largest community chamber of commerce in Wisconsin and placing it among the top 1% of community chambers nationally by membership. By the end of the quarter, overall membership had grown to more than 2,050 businesses and organizations.
Business Retention & Expansion remained a major focus, with Chamber staff working with companies on issues and opportunities including staffing, expansion planning, construction impacts, renovation, and relocation.
Workforce and talent development efforts remain strong. The Future Fox Cities Career Expo connected 1,900 students with 175 business professionals, giving students opportunities to explore career pathways and employers an opportunity to connect with the region’s future workforce. The Chamber also launched its new Summer Intern Series, designed to provide interns working in the Fox Cities with professional development, networking and a stronger connection to the community.
“Our second-quarter results reflect the many different ways economic development happens across the Fox Cities,” said Becky Bartoszek, President and CEO of the Fox Cities Chamber. “It is about helping existing businesses grow, connecting employers with talent, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, and bringing partners together around opportunities that strengthen our region for the long term.”
Additional Q2 highlights included:
- 68 new Connect Free members, bringing participation in the Chamber’s free small business membership program to 1,186 businesses.
- Graduation of the 2025-26 Leadership Fox Cities class, which completed its nine-month program.
- Continued collaboration through the Emerging Talent Alliance, bringing business and education leaders together to strengthen connections among schools, employers and community organizations.
- A CEO Breakfast attended by 189 regional business leaders.
The complete Fox Cities Chamber Q2 2026 Economic Development Report provides additional information on business support, talent development, leadership programming and Chamber initiatives throughout the quarter.
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About the Fox Cities Chamber
The Fox Cities Chamber is a nonprofit business-to-business membership organization that unites the regional business community for greater economic impact. Serving Outagamie, Calumet, and northern Winnebago Counties, we are the second largest Chamber in Wisconsin and were named National Chamber of the Year in 2024. We also received a Wisconsin Innovation Award in the nonprofit category for our free membership level for small businesses.
Our organization proudly captures the energy of one of Wisconsin’s most dynamic regions and transforms it into innovative programs and services to champion employers, economic development, and quality of life. The Fox Cities Chamber celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2024. For more information, visit https://foxcitieschamber.com/.
