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THE CHAMBER January 2026

Annual Meeting January 22

Economic Forecast Lunch February 5

A special thank you to our

Society Members and all who invest in our

Vision / Mission / Why Society members Sorg Society

Verity Society

Tytus Society Hook Society Butler Tech Cintas Cohen Flowers by Roger, Inc. Kettering Health McGraw/Kokosing Miami University Regionals Performance Foodservice Phillips Tube Group, Inc. Robinson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Shape Corporation Spectrum Reach

Akers Packaging Service Duke Energy Essity G & J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc. Hawthorn Glen Senior Living Campus Joe Morgan Honda LCNB National Bank LemonGrenade Creative Magellan Aerospace Majestic Care of Middletown Markey’s Miami Valley Gaming Middletown Energy Center MyUSA Credit Union One Smarter OwlBridge Wellness PAHHNI Premium Alkaline Water PAC Worldwide Corporation Precision Strip, Inc. Quaker Houghton UGN, Inc. Valley Central Bank

content

SOMEWHERE ON MY DESK

events

Focus Areas

Ribbon Cutting

Workforce Update

Changing the narrative

Passport to tomorrow

Web Statistics

State of the region

Vision//

Mission//

Why//

our business community is proud, vibrant and prosperous, poised for 2 the future and prepared for sustainable success

to promote economic prosperity for our current and future members

in everything we do, we believe in fostering a prosperous business environment that builds and supports a thriving community. We strive to identify creative solutions to challenges that affect our members

somewhere on my desk Rick Pearce President/CEO As we welcome 2026, we said goodbye to two Board members, one who attended her last meeting, Sharon Drewry. Sharon (Crane Consumables) completed her 2nd term (6 years) and CoChaired our Future Ready Task Force. In the early years of getting that task force off the ground, Sharon gave a great deal of her time and talent to make that happen. We will miss her at our meetings and wish her well in the years ahead. Oddly enough, my first meeting with Sharon was the second week of March, 2020, when the world was being shut down from COVID. Chip Hitte (Huntington) was our Board Chair for 2023, and will become our volunteer Treasurer. Chip will remain on the Executive Committee and part of the Board of Directors. We also added Taylor Clarey (Custom Goods Unlimited) to the Chamber Board of Directors. We look forward to working with Taylor.

I would like to thank all past board members for their time, talent, energy, and commitment to The Chamber. Thank you for getting us to where we are today!

I want to thank all our members for their 2025 membership; your time, talent, and treasure is greatly appreciated. Your support allows us to continue our mission and we appreciate you having faith in us to serve you in the high standards that you expect of a chamber. Our members are the glue that holds this organization and our communities together.

Best in profits!

Focus Areas •

Ohio Chamber •

Resources • Legislative •

US Chamber of Commerce •

One Big Beautiful Bill, Taxes & Tariff — explained

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Rep. Warren Davidson — 8th District

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Rep. Greg Landsman — 1st District

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Sen. Bernie Moreno

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Sen. Jon Husted

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State & County Elected Officials

2024 Federal Budget Infographic

Focus Areas

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If you would like to become involved in any of the below programs, please call us, 513-422-4551 •

Passport To Tomorrow

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Adopt A Class

Focus Areas

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We are now recruiting for our 2026 CLIMB Class.

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Over the past 3 years, the average evaluation score has been 4.8/5.0

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2026 will be our 41st year

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Learn more at this link—

Workforce Update

On December 10, eight (8) high school guidance counselors from local high schools visited UGN to learn about the skills needed to obtain entry-level employment. We will be visiting Atrium Medical Center in January. •

AMS Parts

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BlueScope—Nov. 12

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UGN—Dec. 10

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Atrium Medical Center—Jan. 14

The First Financial Foundation is funding the program. We thank them for this partnership.

Participants and the UGN Team

Passport to tomorrow K-12 Industry Guide Schedule Jan. 5 – Jan. 9

Jan. 12- Feb. 20 Jan. 26-Feb 6

Amanda

2nd Semester Intro

Health

Central

2nd Semester Intro

IMES

Creekview

2nd Semester Intro

BMM

Mayfield

2nd Semester Intro

Miller Ridge

2nd Semester Intro

Rosa Parks

2nd Semester Intro

Wildwood

2nd Semester Intro

Health

Middle School

2nd Semester Intro

MHS Health – Health Services IMES – Industrial/Manufacturing/Engineering Systems IT/Com – IT/Communications/Arts BMM – Business, Management & Marketing

State of the Region The Cincinnati Regional USA Chamber released the State of the Region—2025 that was commissioned by First Financial Bank. The report is divided into 9 Sections and the links are below. I will also include the sections in the mid-month. Enjoy learning more about our region. • First Financial Comments • Chamber Comments • Population • Economics • Community & Health • Housing & Transportation

• Industry • Industry Spotlight • Looking Forward

Say it Ain’t So “Say it ain’t so”…….Last month I shared with you that Ann had decided to retire and spend more time with her grandchildren. Her last day will be March 31, 2026.

Over the years with this organization, Ann has seen a great deal of change and she has been a great asset and ambassador of The Chamber. She has made each member feel special in her own unique way.

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She as worked with 6 chamber executives and a number of interims.

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She lived through 3 name changes, 4 locations (two with The Manchester Inn) and 1 phone number.

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She has attended “countless” monthly luncheons, ribbon cuttings, golf outings, and annual meetings.

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She deserves this well earned retirement as she has given her skills, personality and life to this organization.

11 9

events

Details / Registration

events

Details / Registration 13

Ribbon cutting

Monroe Junior High School D Wing Celebrating the completion of a $2.5 million renovation project transforming the former junior high gym into two floors of modern learning space featuring eight new classrooms, small group rooms and a staff office.

SOCA BEnefits

Our Foundation

For more than 50 years, our chamber of commerce has had a 501c3 charitable foundation to help with past objectives. The foundation was created in the early 1970’s and there are conflicting stories on why and what project was their focus. Nonetheless, the Middletown Area Chamber Foundation is now doing business as The Chamber Partnership for a Brighter Future. Our focus will be on raising dollars to fund our Future Ready Workforce initiatives. •

CareerCoach/Skills2Careers

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The Workforce Institute

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Passport To Tomorrow

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Signing Day

You will be seeing more information as we move into 2026. Please consider becoming a “funder” of our objectives and be part of the solution of better preparing the next generation for the workforce.!!

Changing the Narrative Collaborating to Change The Narrative — Four (4) organizations have come together to continue to “change the narrative” for Middletown; The Middletown Community Foundation, the City of Middletown, The Chamber and Cincinnati Commercial Contracting. We will continue to take the initiative to change the narrative and share more positive stories that never seem to make it to the readers.

We hope you enjoy the stories and please share it across your social media platforms. •

Soapbox Cincinnati / Middletown Portal—

Please sign up for the mailing list and please share the posts via your social media outlets !!

Value of chambers

Members INVESTORS WE would like to send out a very special THANK YOU to our new members. • Casper, Casper & Casper • CURO BRKG • Home Instead • Injection Alloys • One Stop Tool Rental • The Reliant Group The Chamber is here to find solutions to obstacles that your business may be facing. Feel free to contact us at 513-422-4551.

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