Announcement
November 1, 2024
Today, the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Akron Chamber announced a new partnership focused on increasing access to resources, services, and support for both organization’s members.
The Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce (CFCC) has been a driver of relationship building, local business connectivity, and small business support and education. It plays an important role for the City’s businesses in a growing community.
The Greater Akron Chamber (GAC) is the region’s metropolitan chamber serving Summit, Portage and Medina counties with regional advocacy, economic development support, and member services for its more than 2,300 members and the broader employer community. GAC works to catalyze economic growth and success for the Greater Akron region.
Each organization has goals that the other can support. GAC wants to continue increasing the services and support it brings to smaller businesses in the region by establishing dedicated staff and increasing programs and resources to expand its portfolio of services and support. GAC is also driving connectivity among the region’s broader business support ecosystem with tools like the Greater Akron Business Navigator, developed with a broad set of partners through the Elevate Greater Akron initiative. CFCC seeks to increase the reach of its members with relationships locally and regionally, and continue to deliver the opportunity for its members to engage in regional advocacy and economic development initiatives.
As a result, this partnership will create a unified membership for businesses that provides the benefits, programs, and resources of both organizations for a single membership investment; create access for its members to both regional resources and a concentration of local programs, events, and support delivered in Cuyahoga Falls; and jointly invest in upgrading CFCC’s Business Gateway at 111 Stow Ave. in downtown Cuyahoga Falls to become a premier destination for business co-working, meetings, events, and small business programming.
“Cuyahoga Falls has been riding a wave of growth and opportunity in the region and is a vibrant center of activity and opportunity for Summit County” said Steve Millard, President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. “We are excited to be able to help create a destination for activity and support of the small businesses that are so important to the city and the broader region.”
“About a year ago, the Board of the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber began a process of thinking about how it could best serve its members in a changing landscape of resources and opportunities,” said Ned Parks, Interim Managing Director, Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce. “The willingness of GAC to work with us on an approach that emphasizes the best of CFCC’s history of supporting the businesses of our city and our desire to connect them with opportunities, relationships and initiatives that extend outside its boundaries has been exciting.”
The affiliation of CFCC and GAC is in effect as of November 1, 2024, and represents a new kind of local and regional partnership that the organizations feel better fits the more connected, interdependent and opportunity-oriented mind set of small businesses focused on connecting with each other to grow their businesses.
Planning for renovation of the Business Gateway at Cuyahoga Falls is underway, with a goal to re-launch the renovated space in the first quarter of 2025.
Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce / Greater Akron Chamber Partnership FAQs
What’s happening?
The Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Akron Chamber are entering into a partnership to create a single membership structure and to work as a single team to bring their combined support, benefits, programs and services to their combined membership.
Why is the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber entering this partnership?
The Board of the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber has spent the last year working to find a way to bring more value to the members and to secure the continuity of the support of Cuyahoga Falls businesses that the Chamber has provided over the last 25+ years. With multiple staffing changes, a shift in the way business is done and new tools available for business support, CFCC believes that partnering with GAC both better supports and expands the relationships and opportunities for CFCC members.
How will this new partnership benefit my business?
GAC provides a variety of regional programming and connection opportunities that can help broaden the reach of CFCC members. CFCC members will have an opportunity to get involved in GAC’s work to influence government policy, drive workforce development initiatives, and engage in business attraction and retention efforts. CFCC members will also have access to more than 50 additional programs and events designed to support, strengthen, and connect businesses, in addition to several small business products and services to support their success. GAC and CFCC are investing in the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber Business Gateway at 111 Stow Avenue by renovating the space and developing small business programming.
Will this new partnership change my membership dues?
All CFCC members will have an opportunity to renew their memberships at their current Cuyahoga Falls Chamber membership rate through their annual anniversary date in 2026 if that renewal takes place before May 31, 2025. After that, CFCC members will pay the GAC business membership rate ($450) reflecting the broader set of services and resources being provided. Members who renew at the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber rate before May 31, 2025 will pay the GAC business membership rate of $450 at their 2027 renewal.
Will the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber continue to provide the same programs and benefits?
Yes. Many of those same benefits will continue, including access to networking events and programming such as After 5’s, State of the Chamber, State of the City, California Dreamin’ scholarship event, lunch and learns, and Goldmine Groups. We will make some tweaks to the number of programs we are offering and coordinate on programming similar to what GAC is offering. We are also exploring additional small business programing that will be added to the programs listed above.
What additional benefits will I have access to through the Greater Akron Chamber?
A grid of all the membership benefits available through GAC can be found at greaterakronchamber.org. In addition to continuing the benefits of CFCC membership, members will also have access to GAC’s programming and events including the Morning Buzz, Women’s Network Leadership Institute, Small Business Roundtables, Swap 25, PeerSpectives, and other event series. GAC offers a number of small business benefit programs including health, life, vision, dental, 401k and workers compensation group benefits. GAC is seeking active engagement in its government affairs efforts with regular dialogue and discussion on policy with elected officials and other members. GAC’s workforce team can help with training reimbursements for employer upskilling through Ohio’s TechCred program and support members with setting up work experience opportunities to attract talent. The Polymer Industry
Cluster work, powered by GAC, is another place for members in that industry to get engaged. Please refer to the Membership Brochure for more information.
Will GAC members be invited to events in Cuyahoga Falls?
Yes. A good partnership is built to benefit everyone. GAC members will be invited to attend and be involved in the programs held in Cuyahoga Falls. This two-way benefit street will allow you to connect and grow your network with other business around the region.
Why is the Greater Akron Chamber interested in working with the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber?
GAC believes that regional collaborations are the best way to effectively serve and support the region’s businesses. The combination of local connections and regional support allows for better growth and connectivity of the region’s businesses. GAC is also interested in enhancing the good work of CFCC with small businesses as it increases its attention and focus to do more for these companies and their owners. GAC will hire a dedicated small business leader to improve and grow on the work both organizations are doing. GAC will contribute to upgrading CFCC’s Business Gateway as a center point for business connections, meetings, events, and co-working.
You said I’ll have a chance to extend my membership at the Cuyahoga Falls rate. How do I do that?
You will receive a communication specific to your membership status and renewal date from CFCC. Every member will be able to extend their membership through their 2026 renewal month at the CFCC rate if they act to do so before May 31, 2025. After May 31, 2025, renewals will be at the GAC business membership rate of $450.
If I am currently a member of both CFCC and GAC, will I be paying for two memberships?
Absolutely not! You’ll have a few options to consider – reduce your out-of-pocket cost to maintain a single membership at the $450 partnership rate or apply the total spend you have today to either upgrade your level of membership or applying funds to sponsorship, advertising, or event fees. A GAC membership team member will reach out to outline your options as your CFCC renewal date approaches.
Will there continue to be a Board of the CFCC?
Yes. Once the partnership is finalized, an Advisory Board will be put in place to advise on the work being done in Cuyahoga Falls. That Board will ensure a strong, continuing connection to the needs of the businesses that call Cuyahoga Falls home as well as the many other stakeholders that rely on the Chamber to support the city.
Who should I call with questions?
Call the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber Business Gateway at 330-929-6756. You can also attend the CFCC membership meeting on Wednesday, November 20 at 11:30 a.m. at the Natatorium.