CASE STUDY: Georgia Chamber’s Annual Energy Summit Helps Businesses Tackle Rising Energy Demand

Overview

From clean tech and innovation to sustainability and resiliency, Georgia businesses are facing big opportunities — and big risks — as energy demand surges. To help its members stay ahead, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosts the Future of Energy & Sustainability Summit, bringing together top business and economic leaders to share best practices, track the changing energy landscape, and build partnerships across the energy and sustainability sectors.

The annual summit has quickly become a go-to forum for chamber and business leaders from across the region to understand trends, manage risk, and seize new opportunities in Georgia’s clean energy economy.

Context

Savannah Taylor, Research Director for the Georgia Chamber Foundation and lead organizer of the conference, oversees labor and economic trend data for the Chamber and chairs its Energy and Sustainability Policy Committee. With a background in sustainability,  she keeps a close watch on Georgia’s fast-growing clean energy sector and how it intersects with economic growth. 

Energy reliability and supply are top-of-mind for Georgia’s businesses — and strong infrastructure is key. Right now, the state’s booming data center industry is a major driver of increased demand, a topic that frequently comes up in the state legislature. The Chamber has also identified five high-growth occupations for Georgia’s future, including advanced manufacturing. 

Georgia’s Clean Energy Landscape:

• Over 80,000 clean energy jobs statewide, growing at a rate of 5% per year.

• More than $31.3 billion in EV investments, creating 39,400 jobs. 

• Statewide electricity demand is expected to triple over the next decade, driven by new data centers and manufacturing facilities.

• Georgia is among the top importers of electricity across state lines, highlighting the need for local supply and resiliency.

Summit Highlights

Given this shifting energy landscape, Georgia businesses are increasingly aware that energy supply and cost directly affect their bottom line. The Future of Energy & Sustainability Summit helps chambers and businesses tackle Georgia’s rising energy demand with practical solutions and connections, with:

• Acknowledgment that growing energy demand and policy uncertainty equates to business risk.

• An ‘all of the above’ energy approach, sharing insights on mature and emerging markets from solar and EV manufacturing to grid resiliency and sustainability.

• A deep focus on workforce, helping chambers and employers align on training and recruitment needs and opportunities with Georgia’s advanced manufacturing and clean energy sectors. 

A Model for Chamber Leadership

As Taylor explains, "Every chamber I know is membership-driven, and members are interested in this topic. Folks who have been in the arena, such as utilities, are finding new and different innovation partners. The conference is great for networking…folks want to talk about their achievements in this field,  they want to tell their story.”

By hosting the summit, the Georgia Chamber shows how chambers can lead: convening the right people, addressing real business risks, and helping members stay competitive in a fast-changing energy market.

Impact for Businesses & the Community

With high growth in demand for energy, businesses are very interested in learning more about their options for energy access. Whether operating a data center, expanding manufacturing, or managing supply chain costs, Georgia businesses rely on energy that is reliable, affordable, and sustainable. The summit helps them plan for the future, with information, connections, and concrete steps to manage risk and seize growth.

Josh Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer at Norfolk Southern, one of the Georgia Chamber’s largest member companies, sums up: “As one of the nation’s largest railroad networks, we strive for resilient, sustainable service for our customers and our communities. Our investment in low-carbon fuels, renewable energy, and our people are leading the way.” 

Because some people, including parents of young adults entering the workforce, remain skeptical about careers in manufacturing, they often don’t realize how advanced and high-tech these jobs are today. The companies most successful at attracting skilled manufacturing workers are those deeply connected in the community—and they urgently need more people.  

Results & Next Steps:

The 2025 Future of Energy & Sustainability Summit drew over 275 attendees and 25 expert speakers, giving chambers, businesses, and community leaders across the region a practical forum to plan for the rising energy demand shaping the state’s economy.

Looking ahead, the Georgia Chamber plans to build on this momentum with an even deeper focus on high-growth opportunities like battery production, EV supply chains, and solar manufacturing. By staying at the forefront of Georgia’s energy conversation, the Chamber continues to show how business leadership can help communities manage risk, attract new industries, and create good local jobs—all while meeting rising demand for reliable, affordable, sustainable energy.  

To learn more about the Georgia Chamber’s Future of Energy & Sustainability Summit, contact Savannah Taylor at staylor@gachamber.com or click here to see the 2025 program.  

Ready to Compete: Building a Workforce for the Clean Energy Economy

As clean energy jobs continue to surge, chambers and economic development groups face a key question: How do we ensure our communities are ready to compete — and ready to be chosen by site selection consultants?

In 2023, LG Energy Solution announced it would quadruple its original investment in a battery manufacturing plant in Queen Creek, Arizona, bringing its total planned spend to $5.5 billion. This massive project will create thousands of high-quality jobs and is set to become the largest stand-alone battery complex in North America.

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), Arizona’s statewide economic development agency, recently joined LG Energy Solution for a ribbon-cutting for the new training center.

Alyssa Tufts, Vice President of Public Relations at the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), spoke about what it takes to build the workforce for an investment of this scale. “When a new company selects Arizona, the company starts recruiting very early—way before they build,” Tufts explained. 

In the case of LG Energy Solution, the ACA played a leadership role by launching Future 48, a statewide workforce accelerator network focused on training for high-growth industries like advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

Future 48 is part of a broader statewide network that includes Drive 48, which was launched when Lucid Motors opened its electric vehicle factory in Casa Grande. Both Future 48 and Drive 48 are public-private partnerships designed to make sure Arizona has the skilled workforce employers need today—and tomorrow. (as an aside, ’48’ is a nod to the lower 48 states.)  

The Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, the City of Casa Grande, and Pinal County were at the table early, advocating for and supporting Drive 48 alongside local and state partners. These training programs didn’t start from scratch—they built on Arizona’s strong network of community colleges to leverage to develop the skills employers need. In fact, when it comes to clean energy workforce development, most states already have existing programs in place that cover advanced manufacturing, electrical, and energy work.

The takeaway for chambers and economic development leaders is clear: investments like LG’s don’t just happen. They go where the workforce is ready. Chambers and economic development organizations play a critical role in advocating for smart workforce policy, securing funding, and ensuring that colleges and training centers have the resources to deliver. Clean energy is a transformative economic opportunity, but only communities prepared to meet workforce needs will capture the jobs and investment.

Chambers Take Clean Energy Message to Capitol Hill with Jobs, Investments, and Economic Growth at Stake

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) was back in Washington, D.C. on June 17, alongside chambers of commerce from across the country, making the business case for clean energy. As Congress considers the future of key clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), chamber leaders are delivering a clear message: clean energy means local jobs, stronger regional economies, and billions in investment nationwide. 

CICE brought real-world economic insights directly to Capitol Hill from chamber leaders representing the Ohio Chamber, Greater Cleveland Partnership, and the Greater Winston-Salem Chamber. 

The Senate Finance Committee’s version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA, which was released the same day CICE’s delegation arrived) made some improvements over the House bill but still raised serious concerns for chambers focused on jobs and regional investment. Phasing out tax credits for wind and solar earlier than for other technologies threatens to slow the billions in private investment these projects bring to communities—investments that drive economic growth, strengthen local businesses, and expand the tax base. New supply chain restrictions in the bill also make it harder for American manufacturers to compete, especially those who produce and assemble components under one roof, risking sending jobs and investment overseas just as chambers are working to attract clean energy manufacturing and supply chain investments to their regions.

Chambers of commerce and economic development organizations have seen firsthand how clean energy projects can strengthen regional economies and support a strong workforce. Extending these credits through at least 2029 is critical to sustaining that momentum.

Clean energy development means new demand for local goods and services, from contractors to restaurants and retailers. But without smart, long-term policy that keeps domestic production strong, communities stand to lose out on thousands of jobs and millions in investment. 

If you’re a chamber or economic development leader who wants to learn more about what these changes mean for your community, join us in a future D.C. fly-in, or find out how to support clean energy projects in your community, please contact Rob Bradham, CICE’s Director of Policy.

Chambers of commerce have a unique role to play as the voice of business. Now is the time to make sure clean energy policy continues working for American businesses and communities.

Arizona Chambers and Business Leaders Highlight Clean Energy Incentives in Roundtable with Rep. Ciscomani

On June 6, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE), in partnership with four area chambers of commerce/economic development groups hosted a roundtable discussion with U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), bringing together Arizona business leaders to discuss the future of clean energy tax incentives.  

The conversation focused on the economic importance of the clean energy tax credits, which are currently under review in the Senate. In late May, the House passed its version of the Budget Bill that eliminates most of the economic development support for clean energy. It is now in the hands of the Senate and will return to the House once revised. 

Participants aimed to provide additional data and evidence on the jobs and investment at risk if these tax credits are repealed. Arizona’s 6th Congressional District is home to a growing clean energy economy, with significant momentum in solar energy, battery storage, and EV manufacturing—supported by supply chains in areas such as mining. These industries also drive indirect job growth, benefitting local restaurants, retail, and service businesses that support a thriving regional economy.  

Rep. Ciscomani, whose district includes a fast-growing clean energy sector, acknowledges the impact of these credits on local economies. “The clean energy tax credits can accelerate everything from manufacturing to energy independence,” he said, encouraging attendees to continue providing data that demonstrates the positive economic impact of the sector.  

Rob Elias, President of the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, shared input he is receiving from the business community. “Four things brought to us by our member businesses in regard to the clean energy tax credits include the boost to our economic competitiveness, reduced energy costs for families, grid reliability, and the protection of public health and the environment.”

Lucid Motors, one of the businesses represented at the roundtable, is creating 3,000 new manufacturing jobs in the Casa Grande area. Scott Matus, Manager of Public Policy, emphasized the urgency of maintaining U.S. leadership in the global economy. “We're in a global tech race right now. We need to compete with China, and I think everyone in Congress agrees with that notion. We need to win these sectors of the future, including transportation and energy.”

As Arizona continues to emerge as a hub for clean energy innovation, chamber leaders and business voices remain focused on the policies that support continued investment, job growth, and economic opportunity across the state.

San Francisco Chambers of Commerce - fostering innovation, leading on clean energy, and supporting the business community

Led by the San Francisco Chamber with support from partners Citibank, Deloitte, Salesforce and the World Economic Forum, the Yes SF program launched in 2023 as a place-based innovation challenge attracting and supporting clean energy and climate tech companies in downtown San Francisco. 

With the recent launch of the second challenge, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce expanded its support for innovators. 12 Top Innovators were selected from over 150 applicants for their world-leading innovations. 

Along the way, the Chamber established a meeting and coworking space in the heart of downtown San Francisco. The space hosts events for startups, small businesses, and San Franciscans invested in the future of their city and interested in clean energy, climate tech, and sustainability.   There is a lively coffee bar at the front, collaboration space in the middle, and co-working/private meeting spaces in the back.

Through Yes SF, the Chamber is supporting today’s visionary startup businesses that will become the high growth companies of tomorrow.  Many of the SF Chamber members connect with the innovators to advise them on business strategies and help overcome obstacles to growth. Chamber members may even incorporate one of the new innovations within their established business to differentiate from competitors.  As the driver of the YesSF program, the Chamber is a visible leader to its members, potential new members, and the entire business community of San Francisco.  

Of particular interest to Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, advancing the business case for clean energy, are the Urban Mobility & Electrification and Clean Energy Infrastructure companies (the full cohort is listed below).  To learn more about these innovators in this year’s challenge, click here for the YesSF homepage.

Urban Mobility & Electrification

Chargewheel (mobile EV charging)

ElectricFish (energy storage + fast EV charging)

Stak Mobility (automated EV parking & charging)

Voltpost (retrofitted lamppost EV chargers)

Climate Tech & Clean Energy Infrastructure

Xendee (microgrid design + optimization)

Volt Air Technologies (climate control and clean energy)

Evergrow (carbon offtake financing platform)

Sustainable Architecture & Construction Tech

Airbuild (prefab/retrofit modular building systems)
Kit switch (interior retrofit kits)

Circular Economy & Waste Innovation

Clement Packaging (plant-based packaging) 

Re-nuble (food waste → ag inputs)

Materials Innovation
Gaestar (clay-based single-use cups)

CICE and Chamber Leaders Head to DC to Defend Clean Energy Tax Credits

On May 12, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) brought chamber leaders from across the country to Washington, D.C. for a series of timely and strategic meetings with members of Congress and their staff.

Their message was clear and urgent: the clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are driving job creation, investment, and economic growth, and Congress needs to protect them.

The visit came at a pivotal moment. That same afternoon, House Ways and Means Republicans released a draft markup of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” which proposed sweeping changes to the IRA’s clean energy tax credits.

Our delegation was able to provide immediate, informed feedback on the proposed changes, while staying focused on the bigger picture: clean energy investments are driving regional competitiveness, revitalizing communities, and strengthening American manufacturing.

Read: CICE’s Statement on Proposed Rollback of Clean Energy Tax Credits.

By bringing real-world economic insights directly to Capitol Hill from business leaders in states including Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Illinois, it was clear: clean energy tax credits are vital economic development tools for sustaining growth and opportunity.

Hours after the delegation departed, more than a dozen Republican members of Congress issued a public statement urging changes to the proposed legislation that closely aligned with the points raised by chamber leaders during their visits, signaling bipartisan recognition of the importance of clean energy investment plays in strengthening American competitiveness.

This bill is far from final, and CICE will continue convening chamber and economic development leaders to share research, elevate business perspectives, and support informed decision-making on Capitol Hill. We anticipate returning to DC next month for additional conversations.

If you’re a chamber or economic development leader interested in joining us in a future DC fly-in, our analysis of the proposed changes to these economic development tax credits, or supporting clean energy in your community, please contact Rob Bradham, CICE’s Director of Policy, at rbradham@chambersforinnovation.com.

Now is the time to make sure clean energy policy continues working for American businesses and communities.

Seminole County Chamber Sparks Clean Energy Discussion

In early March, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) helped facilitate another key conversation about the future of energy in Florida—this time with the Seminole County Chamber taking the lead.

The Chamber convened a panel for its monthly breakfast, Good Morning Seminole, to explore a wide range of energy topics, including EV-charging roads, federal incentives, utility-scale solar, and landfill gas. The discussion was then broadcast through its podcast network.

“The diversity of this panel showed how new forms of energy, driven by increased technology in renewable energy, can help communities continue to grow their economy,” said Alan Byrd, Florida outreach director, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy. 

The panel featured five leaders working to meet Florida’s growing demand for energy:

• Sharon Arroyo, vice president, Duke Energy, which had just announced four more utility-scale solar projects throughout the state

• Chris Cucci, executive vice president, Climate First Bank, which specializes in helping finance renewable energy projects

• Ben Pauluhn, president, Optimus Energy Solutions, which works to install EV chargers and commercial solar throughout the Southeast

• Kristine Richmond, senior director, sustainability, Waste Management, which provides energy through gases emitted at landfills

• Bryan Homayouni, director of intelligent transportation systems, Central Florida Expressway Authority, which is building the first highway that will charge EVs as they drive

This is not the first time that clean energy has been a focus of the Seminole County Chamber.

It was the first chamber, in partnership with CICE, to offer members no-cost EV chargers and hosted a 2022 event focused on EV charging infrastructure and market trends. Last year, the chamber shared the business community’s desire for fewer regulations on EV charger permitting with the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.

“Our membership expects programming that helps them learn about issues that could affect them, and energy is certainly one,” says Rebekah Arthur, president & CEO, Seminole County Chamber. “This high-level panel was insightful and clearly showed how communities like ours that have a significant technology industry need to look at how they will address the growing energy demand.” 

To listen to the discussion, visit the Seminole County Chamber’s podcast site or search Seminole County Chamber on your preferred streaming platform.

CASE STUDY: Rebuilding Dalton: How Clean Energy Diversified the Local Economy

Overview

Nestled in the foothills of Northwest Georgia, the city of Dalton has long been known as the Carpet Capital of the World. Located 30 miles southeast of Chattanooga and 90 miles north of Atlanta, Dalton’s textile legacy began in the early 20th century when local artisans revived the Southern tradition of tufted bedspreads. What started as a cottage industry evolved into the invention of modern tufted carpet, transforming Dalton into a textile powerhouse.

For nearly 70 years, Dalton thrived as the corporate and manufacturing home to a $10 billion industry. Despite being virtually recession-proof for decades, the Great Recession shattered that perception. Between 2007 and 2009, unemployment shot from under 4% to over 14%, making Dalton one of the hardest-hit communities in the country. The downturn exposed the risks of overreliance on a single industry and forced local leaders to rethink Dalton’s economic foundation.

Context: 

• Whitfield County population - 100,000

• Greater Dalton Chamber Membership - 1,600

Seizing the Opportunity for Diversification

The Great Recession made it clear that Dalton’s economy was too dependent on a single industry: floor covering. In response, the Greater Dalton Chamber and local leaders fully funded an economic development initiative, the Dalton/Whitfield Joint Development Authority (JDA). This effort was jointly financed through private funds raised by the Chamber and matched by public funds from Whitfield County and the City of Dalton. Additionally, the Whitfield County Commission invested $5.25 million to acquire 150 acres along Interstate 75 to establish Carbondale Business Park—marking the first time the community had an industrial park to market and an economic development team tasked with the job.

Strategic Planning for a Stronger Community

In 2016, the Greater Dalton Chamber commissioned a study to guide a community-wide strategic planning process that the Chamber would go on to spearhead. The study confirmed that Dalton’s economic dependence on one industry was a significant problem, but also showed that Dalton was far behind peer communities in the Southeast on a host of other issues, including lagging market-rate housing, educational attainment, and median family income. The most concerning statistic: 62% of those earning more than $40,000 in Dalton chose to live elsewhere. Diversifying the local economy and making Dalton a more desirable place to live and work became the basis for the strategic plan, called Believe Greater Dalton.

As industry recruitment continued around Carbondale, the community worked to revitalize its downtown, create an entrepreneurial ecosystem, adding single and multi-family market-rate housing, and bolstering educational attainment.

Attracting Economic Investment

The Greater Dalton Chamber and JDA team began proactively marketing the community to site selectors and economic developers, while simultaneously building relationships with state economic development teams. 

Success did not come immediately. It took time for economic development projects to start looking at Dalton. When they did, Carbondale—the county’s new industrial park—didn’t show well. As JDA Executive Director & Chamber Vice President of Economic Development, Carl Campbell liked to say, “It looked like a good place to hunt.” Hilly and tree-covered, it was difficult for development prospects to see the potential. Eventually, the County Commission addressed the challenge by grading a large site and having it certified as a Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) “shovel-ready” site. Prospect activity increased dramatically, but the community was still unable to close a deal—until Hanwha QCells visited in 2017.

QCells proved to be the right project at the right time. While Dalton was actively recruiting QCells, the city was also making progress on broader economic and community development initiatives through Believe Greater Dalton. When QCells announced a $200 million investment and 600 new jobs in 2018, it was a breakthrough for the city.

QCells was eager to move quickly, and after nearly a decade of preparation, Dalton was ready. The partnership ensured swift construction, and QCells produced its first panels within a year of the announcement. As of 2024, QCells employs over 1,800 people and has invested over $500 million in Dalton.

Economic Benefits

Together, the recruitment of QCells and the Believe Greater Dalton strategic plan have yielded significant economic benefits:

• Over 900 new market-rate apartments built, with more in the pipeline, representing the first sizable multi-family investments in the community in over 20 years.

• Three market-rate subdivisions built in the first in 30 years.

• QCells has expanded its footprint, with total investment exceeding $500 million and over 1,300 employees onsite.

• Carbondale Business Park is effectively full, with QCells acting as the anchor business.

• Over $15 million in private investment in downtown Dalton.

CASE STUDY: San Francisco Chamber Leverages Sustainability to Drive Economic Growth

The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce is proving that sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s a catalyst for economic development.

Opportunity

Like many metro chambers, the San Francisco Chamber faced the challenge of revitalizing its downtown in response to shifting economic conditions and commercial real estate trends. Recognizing an opportunity to position the city as a leader in sustainable business innovation, the Chamber said ‘yes’ to Yes SF, an urban sustainability challenge aimed at transforming the city.

In collaboration with UpLink—an open innovation platform from the World Economic Forum—and Chamber members Deloitte, Salesforce, and Citibank, the Chamber launched Yes SF, a startup incubator designed to help startups scale innovative solutions while strengthening the city’s business ecosystem.

Through a competitive process, Yes SF selected 14 climate tech startups from over 150 applicants in its inaugural 2023 cohort. These companies receive grants, mentorship, and access to an extensive business network to help them scale, attract investment, and create regional jobs.

Sustainability as an Economic Development Strategy

Recognizing the economic power of startups, the San Francisco Chamber granted all 14 Yes SF participants complimentary chamber memberships, integrating them into the city’s business community from day one.

Rodney Fong, President and CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the broader vision: “Our long-term goal is to contribute to the city’s resurgence by providing a dynamic environment that fosters sustainable innovation, economic growth, and community connection.”

To provide a physical hub for collaboration, the Chamber established the Yes SF Headquarters, a coworking, networking, and cafe space in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Opened in September 2024, the space serves as a central hub for business leaders, investors, and climate innovators, hosting regular events focused on economic revitalization and sustainability.

The Chamber’s Leadership

As a driving force behind Yes SF, the San Francisco Chamber is doing more than promoting the program—it’s leading it.

By leveraging its network, the Chamber facilitates connections between startups and established businesses, fostering collaborations that drive innovation. Posh Energy, a Yes SF startup, exemplifies this. Its Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) help businesses reduce electricity costs, enhance energy reliability, and meet sustainability goals. Companies across the Bay Area are already benefiting from its technology.

To ensure the program’s success, the Chamber has dedicated staff to support Yes SF startups, offering participants access to advisory services, introductions to key stakeholders, and integration into UpLink’s global innovation network.

Emily Abraham, the Chamber’s Director of Strategic Initiatives and chamber lead for the Yes SF Partnership, explained, “We have learned a great deal about how to support the startups in ways that increase the likelihood of success. They need specific help in understanding state and federal tax incentives, introductions to folks in city government and in our member community, and like all small businesses, support for infrastructure, such as employee benefit programs.”

Results & Impact

Since launching, Yes SF has hosted over 70 business and investor events, spotlighting climate tech startups and their role in revitalizing the city. The Yes SF Headquarters has become a vibrant hub for collaboration, drawing entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors together in one space.

While investment and job creation numbers are still emerging, Yes SF demonstrates a model for urban transformation and how chambers can integrate sustainability and innovation into their economic development strategies to drive community revitalization.

Lessons Learned

For chambers of commerce looking to drive economic growth, attract investment, and support local businesses, Yes SF offers key takeaways:

• Leverage existing networks: Chambers can connect startups with established businesses to speed up market adoption and drive innovation.

• Build strategic partnerships: Large corporations and global platforms like UpLink provide funding, credibility, and expertise.

• Create a physical hub: If possible, establishing a coworking or event space fosters collaboration and visibility for emerging industries.

San Francisco leads the U.S. in climate tech investment, attracting $8.8 billion since 2020, but this opportunity extends beyond the Bay Area. Cities like Houston ($1.6 billion in climate tech investment) are also capitalizing on sustainability-driven economic growth. 

For chambers in any region, integrating sustainability into economic development strategies can create business opportunities, attract new industries, and support entrepreneurs in their communities.

For more information, visit yessf.org.

St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce Sustainability and Resilience Efforts Aid Hurricane Aftermath

In 2023, the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce in Florida set out to learn how to prepare for a major hurricane. At the time, the Fort Myers area had just been nearly destroyed by Category 4 Hurricane Ian. While all of Florida is at risk, the Tampa Bay region, with St. Petersburg on its western shore, is considered one of the most vulnerable places in the United States for hurricane strikes.

The chamber organized a two-hour trip south to Fort Myers, bringing local business owners, executives, and elected officials. They coordinated with several chambers of commerce and government officials in the area to gather key lessons learned and how the St. Petersburg area could prepare.

The trip was covered by Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and the Tampa Bay Times. 

Since then, multiple tropical systems have significantly impacted the St. Petersburg region.

• Category 4 Hurricane Idalia sent four feet of storm surge into the area as it passed west of Tampa Bay in 2023. 

• Category 1 Hurricane Debby started the 2024 season with a three- to five-foot storm surge into St. Petersburg in August.

• Category 4 Hurricane Helene sent a six-foot storm surge into St. Petersburg as it traveled west of Tampa Bay in September 2024.

• Finally, Hurricane Milton made landfall just south of Tampa Bay two weeks after Helene. This time, the surge was minimal, but St. Petersburg experienced sustained winds over 100 mph. 

Many areas of St. Petersburg experienced significant damage, especially during Milton. The roof of Tropicana Field made national news, as did a crane crashing into one of the city’s high rises, the Sundial Building. The chamber offices were flooded during the storm, and many staff members also faced flooding in their homes.

“Our building is aging and had existing structural issues,” shares Christie Bruner, vice president of advocacy at the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. “We initially had damage from Debbie and another early season no name storm from water coming in our walls and floors. The destruction from additional water intrusion with Helene and Milton hit additional offices not previous affected.  Our staff is working in co-working spaces, and we don’t have a board meeting room or conference room right now.”

While the damage is significant, the chamber used the knowledge it learned from the Fort Myers trip to help the community prepare and recover. For example, one of the biggest issues in disaster recovery is navigating federal regulations.

“We talked about FEMA issues, and just the knowledge of the issues with FEMA helped in recovery,” Bruner says. “For instance, governments have to remove debris a certain way or they don’t get reimbursed. We also knew about the FEMA 50 percent rule for our residents and businesses to make sure they were ready for the FEMA inspections.”

The “50 percent rule” has been a recurring issue in flood-ravaged areas throughout the Southeast. In simple terms, the rule states that if the damage to a building in a flood zone exceeds 50 percent of its market value, reconstruction must bring the building fully up to code, including elevating the building above the flood plain. The rule, intended to make communities more resilient for future storms, often prevents homes from being rebuilt. ABC Action News in Tampa Bay provides a helpful explanation.

Another key takeaway from the Fort Myers trip was avoiding duplication of resources and information. The chamber focused on business recovery, including webinars on bridge loans and other key efforts. In addition, the chamber created a flyer with recovery resources.

For the St. Petersburg Chamber, leadership on issues like sustainability and resilience is standard practice. The chamber’s standing Sustainability + Resilience Committee works to dispel myths, highlight leaders, and inspire action on issues like clean energy.

“This effort highlights the power of coordination, knowledge-sharing, and building momentum for sustainability initiatives,” says Danielle Bodalski, founder and principal, Philotimo-HR, and co-chair of the Sustainability + Resilience Committee.

Small Business, Large Array: Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Solar Investment

One of the prime roles of any chamber of commerce is to help its members as they celebrate major accomplishments.

This month, the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce in Florida held a ribbon cutting for SS Designs, a large apparel manufacturer, as they flipped the switch on a massive solar array, providing enough energy to power the company’s entire 100,000-square-foot facility.

The event featured community leaders and clean energy executives. While guests were not able to get on the roof to see the nearly 1,200 solar panels, it provided a great showcase of how businesses are turning to clean energy to cut expenses.

“What SS Designs has done to help their business’s bottom line is very impressive and can be a model for other businesses as well,” says Betsy Cleveland, president & CEO, Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce. “Our team was simply thrilled to help celebrate this accomplishment with the team at SS Designs.”

The process to install the solar array started more than a year ago. The company teamed with Optimus Energy Solutions to apply for a U.S. Department of Agriculture REAP grant. Those grants target making energy improvements to rural areas, like Winter Haven, located midway between Tampa and Orlando.

The company was awarded a grant valued at nearly $1 million.

“This opportunity was truly unexpected when we started this journey, but now that we are powered by this system, we are glad we invested in solar,” says Cindy Zimmerman, president and CEO, SS Designs. “Anything we can do to remain competitive and sustain our company for the next 45 years is a tremendously positive advancement.”

The installation is part of a larger campaign by SS Designs to enhance sustainability and energy efficiency in their operations—a move driven by requests from major clients like Universal Studios and the Walt Disney Company.

“Frankly, our customers look for supplier partners like us to find ways to become more sustainable in our operations,” Zimmerman says. “While this cuts expenses, it also pairs with other programs that can be simple for many businesses, like switching to energy-efficient light bulbs.”

In addition to the solar array, SS Designs also enhanced their operations by:

• Introducing a cardboard baler to recycle and monetize cardboard waste.

• Deploying a custom ERP system to streamline and manage workflows efficiently.

• Utilizing screen cleaner machines for environmentally friendly cleaning.

• Upgrading to higher-efficiency dryers.

“Throughout the country, businesses are finding very unique ways to find the resources to match and exceed their investments in energy infrastructure,” says Ben Pauluhn, president & founder, Optimus Energy Solutions.

This also allowed the Winter Haven Chamber to provide an outlet for Board Chair Nick Plott, regional manager for local government, community relations, and economic development at TECO Energy, to showcase his company’s commitment to clean energy, particularly in this part of Florida. The company is utilizing the area around Winter Haven for multiple solar farms.

“Our solar facilities here can power more than 100,000 homes in Polk County,” Plott told the crowd at the ribbon cutting. “As more businesses and homes come online in Polk County, having more energy sources is important and SS Designs' commitment to this large solar array is important not just to them, but to the community as a whole.”

In addition, hosting this event allowed the chamber to identify others in the community who are using solar energy for business. For instance, County Commissioner Bill Braswell attended the ribbon cutting because of his interest in solar. His blueberry farm is in the process of installing a solar array.

“Frankly, the turnout for this ribbon cutting showed the importance of solar energy to all types of businesses in our membership,” Cleveland says. “This was a great way to showcase the innovations of our business community.”