Page 2 - LRCC October 2020 Focus

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAMBER

The Right Time for the Voice of Business to be Heard

WE ARE LIVING THROUGH SOME OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES in our lifetimes during the past several months. The unprecedented
circumstances forced upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it, posed a threat to our health and safety,
and affected how we do just about everything in our world. Coupled with that is a disturbing level of social unrest and turmoil in
our society. We are facing a critical juncture in our country and our region.

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) feels that our role as the voice of business is more important than ever
during the most challenging times. Business leadership has always been at the forefront of the most important advances in our
region’s history. The need for that leadership is as critical today as it has ever been.

One of the most visible
ways this plays out is the “The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC), feels that our role
TIM DAMAN LRCC’s role in supporting as the voice of business is more important than ever during the most
President and CEO and building relationships challenging times. Business leadership has always been at the forefront
Lansing Regional with elected officials at
Chamber of Commerce the local, state, and federal of the most important advances in our regions history. The need for that
levels. The cover story in
this month’s edition of leadership is as critical today as it has ever been.”
FOCUS recognizes 41
candidates for various offices that will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. As noted in the article, this election is critical
in that government at all levels faces tough financial decisions in light of the hardships induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. We
need officials who will make the tough choices and work together to find innovative solutions to deliver government services in
a cost-effective and efficient manner.

The LRCC also played an integral role in forming the RELAUNCH Greater Lansing: Economic Rehabilitation Task Force,
which consists of prominent and trusted leaders in business, government, healthcare, and education. RELAUNCH Greater
Lansing focused on developing a comprehensive strategy for industries within the Greater Lansing region to safely and successfully
reopen business coming out of COVID.

A common theme in our approach to regional issues is the bipartisan nature of the coalitions we help build. This was particularly
true a few years ago when LRCC joined with Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties and Michigan State University to form the
Capital Council of Governments (CAPCOG), which has successfully led lobbying efforts for funds for the Coleman Road
extension and Heritage Hall, and has prioritized the expansion and reconstruction of US 127 | I-496 and Michigan Avenue, two
of the region’s most important economic corridors.

In the next few weeks, you will also see the results of one of our most critical regional collaborations in recent years. The LRCC,
the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), and a team of business leaders will introduce an economic benchmarking
study comparing the Lansing region to 11 regions we compete with for jobs and investment. With the economic fallout from
COVID-19 and future uncertainty, I believe our group’s leadership may be more important now than when we launched this
project in the fall of 2019.

We do not know what our region will look like post-COVID-19. But we do know that the voice of business must be at the
forefront and provide the leadership to make sure we are headed in the right direction of the future of our community. n

JOIN THE

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Leadership Circle members are proven
business and community leaders. We
value their commitment and applaud
their efforts to strengthen our region
WASTE SERVICES
with their leadership and appreciate
the important role they play in
advancing our organization.

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