Chamber Action Network (CAN)

The goal of the Chamber Action Network (CAN) is to get local business people actively engaged in the political process and to build a positive economic climate.
To sign up for CAN updates or for more information about any of these programs, please e-mail Sarah Lee at slee@kazoochamber.com

Legislative Correspondence & Testimony
CAN provides all the tools necessary for members to contact their legislators or appear before committees concerning pending legislation or regulatory issues.

Chamber PAC
Funded through individual, personal contributions and governed by an independent volunteer committee, the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of commerce political Action committee (Chamber PAC) is made up of local business leaders who want to influence the makeup of governing bodies through their endorsements and financial support. Chamber PAC supports candidates and issues in city and county races, the State Legislature and state Supreme Court. It also participates with a network of other business-oriented political action committees to most effectively target contributor dollars to statewide open seats and challengers.

Action Alerts
Alerts occur when the political climate does not allow time for a meeting to disseminate information. CAN members will be alerted by e-mail or fax to take clearly defined steps for necessary political action and be provided background links to the Internet whenever possible. To sign up for Action Alerts, please e-mail rsimpson@kazoochamber.com

Candidate Recruitment
CAN encourages Chamber members to recruit and educate candidates for public office. CAN's goal is to recruit business-friendly candidates for every local election.

Bills & Analysis
Legislation is introduced every year that significantly impacts business. CAN is committed to supporting legislation that encourages job creation and economic growth. To this end, CAN will work through association networks and staff research to gain access to the most thorough reports on pending legislation for the most informed political activity.

Issue Advocacy
To enhance the region's business climate, CAN develops comprehensive issue advocacy programs that include fundraising activities and implementation of advertising and grassroots strategies needed to convey pro-business messages to residents.

Legislative Priorities
Annually, the Chamber's Public Policy Committee develops a Business & Quality of Life Agenda which is used to focus committee work and set staff priorities for the best way to affect public policy.

Kalamazoo Citizens For Families & Jobs
State Law permits Kalamazoo Citizens for Families & Jobs to accept corporate, as well as individual, contributions to support or oppose ballot questions, fund litigation that affects the political rights of business and conduct polling on policy issues. It does not support candidates.