business backgrounder | economy
Building Alliances
AWB launched its local chamber of commerce Grassroots Alliance
this January as a way to improve local and state issue advocacy
and build a dynamic statewide outreach network.
Bobbi Cussins
Composed of 42 chambers of commerce across Washington, participants serve as the community voices on state
and local policy issues that promote job growth and retention, prepare the next generation workforce and encourage
legislation to authorize a comprehensive transportation infrastructure funding package.
Three days before a critical hearing on a proposed $15
billion transportation funding and reform package, the
newly formed Grassroots Alliance was activated. Word went
out via email and a private social network, telling members
of the Alliance about the date and time of the hearing, and
equipping them with one-page issue briefs.
On the day of the hearing, nine members of the Grassroots
Alliance showed up in person to testify before lawmakers.
“I’m pleased to be here today joining AWB and my
counterparts throughout the state,” Lori Mattson, president
and CEO of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce,
said as she urged members of the Senate Transportation
Committee to support the package.
The strong showing of support from Mattson and other
Grassroots Alliance members was exactly what AWB
President Kris Johnson and Rich Hadley, the former
president and CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated,
envisioned when they began talking about building the new
partnership. It also complements the work of Opportunity
Washington, the initiative that launched in January to
promote prosperity throughout the state.
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