At its recent board meeting, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded the prestigious Accreditation designation to the Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership in recognition of its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.
“Earning the Accreditation designation is an extraordinary accomplishment and a mark of excellence for a chamber’s organization, staff, and leadership,” said Raymond P. Towle, Vice President, Federation Relations and Coalition Partnerships at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Achieving Accreditation reflects the completion of a comprehensive and challenging evaluation—an extensive, rigorous review of a chamber’s policies, operations, and programming—as well as its leadership and impact in the community.
“This distinction recognizes chambers of commerce representing the very best of our industry and validates their role as advocates for their business communities. Accredited chambers demonstrate strong leadership, transparent governance practices, and an unwavering commitment to delivering impactful programs and services that help make their regions a place where workers, businesses, and citizens can thrive.”
The SCCDP is only one of five accredited chambers in Nebraska and 195 chambers nationwide.
“This accreditation is more than a recognition of our organizational achievements. It reflects the impact being made across Seward County,” said Megan Kahler, Board Chair of the SCCDP.
“Over the past three years, SCCDP has helped facilitate more than $220 million in new investment through local LB840 and Tax Increment Finance programs, supported the creation of over 131 housing units, increased childcare capacity, and advanced community initiatives that strengthen our economy and quality of life. This achievement reflects the collaborative efforts of our businesses, local governments, educational institutions, and community partners working together to move Seward County forward.”
The U.S. Chamber’s Accreditation Program facilitates continuing excellence in the chamber industry and fosters a pro-business environment across America. To receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in its operations and programs, including areas of governance, finance, human resources, government affairs, communications, and technology. This extensive self-review can take six to nine months to complete.
Local and regional chambers are rated “Accredited,” “Accredited with 3 Stars,” “Accredited with 4 Stars,” or “Accredited with 5 Stars.” The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber of Commerce board members and qualified chamber CEOs from across the country.
This designation recognizes the SCCDP as a leader in the chamber industry and affirms its ongoing commitment to serving as a resource to local businesses and advocating for a strong business community.
As a public and private partnership, the SCCDP is the caretaker and steward of fulfilling the Seward County Vision Statement 2035, which is daily carried out through chamber of commerce and economic development work.
