Business advocacy team names 2021-22 public policy priorities
From equity to infrastruc- ture and small business assistance, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s business advocacy team plans to tackle timely issues that affect the region’s business community in 2021-22.
As the Dayton region’s largest business association, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce has two registered lobbyists on staff and represents the voice of the Dayton business community locally, in Columbus and on a federal level.
Biennially, the chamber advocacy team releases its legislative agenda, which details anticipated issues in the next two years, and the chamber’s public policy priorities.
“It’s important that our business community has a voice in policy decisions,” said Stephanie Keinath, vice president of strategic initiatives. “We anticipate a number of key issues to come before our elected officials in 2021 and 2022, and we’ll represent our member businesses in advocating for business-friendly legislation.
“With ongoing input from our members and volunteers, we identify policy positions based on our mission to create a better place for businesses to grow and prosper,” she said.
Some opportunities for advocacy this year stem from the COVID-19 pandemic, including pushing for addi- tional support for small busi- nesses and equitable expan- sion of broadband access.
The overall priorities iden- tified for the chamber this year include:
Ballot issue protection Equity Logistics and transpor- tation
■ Military/Veteran qual- ity of life
■ National defense
■ Regulatory and tax reform
■ Small business support
■ State budget advocacy
■ Workforce development The chamber’s Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee, made up of chamber member volunteers, works alongside chamber staff to identify priority issues throughout the year.
The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce is the lead advocacy group in the Dayton region that represents the business community.
The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s full 20212022 legislative agenda can be viewed at DaytonChamber. org.
The Dayton Metro Library Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Jeffrey Trzeciak to the position of Executive Director. Trzeciak replaces Tim Kambitsch, who retires at the end of the February.
“The Board of Trustees was so fortunate to have three qualified finalists for the position of Executive Director,” said Elaine Johnson, President of the DML Board of Trustees and member of the Search Committee. “Jeff ’s accomplishments and service have received national recognition. We are confident that he will continue Dayton Metro Library’s history of innovative Library leadership and ensure that our institution maintains a culture of trust and collaboration.”
Trzeciak is a native Daytonian who began his library career at the Dayton Metro Library while completing his undergraduate degree from the University of Dayton. He later pursued his MLS from Indiana University. Currently he is Director of the Jersey City Free Public Library in New Jersey. He has held senior positions at Newark Public Library, McMaster University (Ontario), and Washington University (St. Louis). Known for his commitment to diversity and social justice, he initiated the award-winning Documenting Ferguson project after the shooting of Michael Brown (2014) and, in 2017, received a City Citation for his commitment to the Newark Puerto Rican community. In 2018, Jeffrey received the Community Partner Award from Newark Pride for LGBTQ programming.
The new Executive Director will be only the 11th person to lead the Dayton Library since 1860. Trzeciak, who plans to start in early April, stated, “I want to thank Tim Kambitsch for his extraordinary tenure at the helm of this great institution. I’m ready to work with the leadership team, the staff and community partners to build upon Dayton Metro Library’s past successes.”