able to bolster the local economy through even the most adverse situations At the heart of Springfield’s economic success lies a tightly-knit business community, epitomized by the collaborative spirit of its award-winning Chamber of Commerce. Through initiatives like cross-industry dialogues and workforce development programs, businesses can forge strong bonds, share experiences, and drive innovation. “In my experience, our Chamber of Commerce is one of the most interactive and inviting chambers. That’s where I find a lot of interconnectedness between businesses,” says Chamber of Commerce Board Chair and Astec General Manager Avril Watt. For local businesses, the chamber has become a supporting institution for many of the solutions made to address the larger issues experienced by the economy in general. For example, according to Watt, the rising national shortages in skilled labor, some industry sectors have even started to make shifts to their hiring practices with initiatives that support individuals who are on the path to being fully qualified for certain occupations. 189 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 03 SPRINGF IELD, OR
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