Global Talent Chamber Network

About

NAE’s Global Talent Chamber Network brings together chambers of commerce from across the country who see immigrant integration as an economic growth strategy. Through this network, NAE offers research, technical assistance, and strategic advice to chambers on issues of immigration, immigrant integration, and economic development. Members of the network have access to the following support:

• Tailored economic reports highlighting the contributions of immigrants to a metro area, congressional district, or state;
• Communications and messaging guidance to frame immigration as an economic issue and an opportunity for growth;
• Policy analysis of federal, state and local immigration legislation and its projected impact on chambers through webinars and individual engagement;
• Plug-and-play advocacy opportunities and campaigns coordinated by NAE’s political and public affairs teams in the field (e.g., national fly-ins and days of action, state legislative campaigns, etc.);
• Best practices in local immigrant integration and economic development strategies; and
• Online resources and toolkits that highlight the work of chambers of commerce in communities across the country.

Economic Reports	Advocacy & Policy Analysis	Best Practices

Chamber Resources

Map the Impact

An interactive data map showcasing immigrants’ contributions in all 435 congressional districts, the 100 largest U.S. metro areas, all 50 states, and across industries. Learn more at www.maptheimpact.org.

Gateways for Growth

A digital toolkit highlighting chamber leadership on regional strategic planning to enhance immigrants’ economic contributions.
Learn more at www.gatewaysforgrowth.org/map/chamber.

GTCN Resources Hub

A clearinghouse of resources with toolkits, research, and advocacy materials available exclusively to members of the Global Talent Chamber Network and attendees of our annual chamber convening. Access it at newamericaneconomy.org/gtcn-resources.

Founding Members

Chamber Network Updates

COVID-19 resources for chambers of commerce and small businesses

We know that the current crisis is especially hard on small business owners, of which immigrant entrepreneurs represent an outsize share. Small businesses can apply for economic injury disaster loan assistance directly through the Small Business Administration for a one-time emergency loan of $10,000. Small businesses can also apply for a loan through the recently passed Paycheck Protection Program. This grant will cover 2.5 months worth of payroll up to $10 million for businesses with less than 500 employees and can be used on employee compensation, healthcare benefits, rent, utilities, and more. The loan will be fully forgiven if expenses are spent on maintaining or quickly rehiring full staffing and salary levels. Proof of loss of income or employee work authorization will NOT be required. 

On a local level, chambers of commerce are already leading the way as a resource for their members. From promoting local small businesses to analyzing the recent federal stimulus package, answering FAQs, connecting members and sharing best practices, chambers of commerce are proving to be the first line of defense for our local small businesses. If you’re interested in learning more about strategies and what other chambers of commerce are doing during these uncertain times, feel free to reach out to the NAE team.

Additionally, many states are stepping up to provide small businesses with the resources they need to get through these challenging times.

More Than 50 Chambers of Commerce Call on Congress to Protect DREAMers

Ahead of SCOTUS arguments on November 12th, NAE organized more than 50 chambers of commerce to call on Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to create permanent protections for Dreamers. In an open letter, the business leaders recognize the important role DREAMers play in keeping our workforce young and competitive, contributing to the tax base, and creating jobs for all Americans. Read the entire letter here.

LA Chamber Hosts Annual Global Talent Chamber Convening

In April, NAE and the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) hosted leaders from 16 chambers of commerce in Los Angeles, CA for our 3rd-annual Global Talent Chamber Network Convening. Over the course of the one-day conference, business leaders shared lessons about how to get involved in immigrant integration and advocacy work locally. We also visited Koreatown Youth and Community Center to learn about innovative ways the business community can support financial inclusion, education, and housing services for immigrants.

GTCN leaders at the 3rd annual Global Talent Chamber Convening in Los Angeles, CA, April 2019

Chambers Join Five State Compacts on Immigration

Since February, we’ve supported business and industry leaders in Iowa, Texas, Florida,  Utah, and Colorado as they launch State Compacts on Immigration, with hundreds of signers—including dozens of chambers—across the four states. Each compact offers a set of guiding principles calling for smart, common-sense immigration policies that support economic growth and keep each state’s economy competitive. We’re working on more compacts this year, and if you’re interested in championing one in your state, please reach out to the NAE team.

Chamber Advocacy in the News

Check out some recent op-eds highlighting members of the Global Talent Chamber Network:

• Immigrant dreamer: ‘I want to make sure families like ours can stay together’
• Ahead of SCOTUS Arguments More Than 50 Chambers of Commerce Call on Congress to Protect DREAMers
• GLI voices opposition to futher caps on refugee resettlement
• Kentucky Business community urges support of Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act
• CEO of Ft. Bend Chamber of Commerce: ‘Dreamers benefit Texas’ [Opinion]
• Iowa business leaders call for immigration reform to spur economic growth

• Iowa’s leaders are putting jobs before politics

• Ben McAdams and Derek Miller: A new generation of leaders stands for the principles of the Utah Compact