The Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce actively collaborates with local community and business-focused organizations to advance initiatives that strengthen our region. Through these strategic partnerships, we work collectively on projects and programs that support economic growth, workforce development, and overall community vitality.
Activate Allen County
The Chamber is working on several initiatives with Activate Allen County. Activate Allen County is a public health initiative committed to reducing obesity and smoking in Lima and Allen County by promoting healthy eating, active living, and a tobacco-free lifestyle. In addition to educating and inspiring people to make healthy choices, Activate Allen County educates people about the relationship between policy, environment and community design to their health and well-being. Activate Allen County focuses on changes that remove barriers and increase access to healthy behaviors. Working in partnership with health initiatives across the County and State, Activate Allen County aims to provide everyone living in Allen County access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity in places that they live, work, worship, learn and play.
Downtown Lima, Inc.
The Chamber’s Agri-Business Committee worked with Downtown Lima and the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District to re-establish the Farmers Market in Downtown Lima. The Chamber works collaboratively with Downtown Lima on the goals of having a vibrant Downtown through working with business and participation with their economic restructuring, business enhancement, and downtown property managers committees.
Legislative Forums, Debates, and Actions
The mission is to develop an awareness and understanding of emerging local, state and federal issues that could cause a change in the business/quality of life climate; develop a position to inform members and the community; and, when advisable, develop a strategy to resolve the issue. Lobbied against decreasing the Bureau of Workers Compensation Group Rating Discount, against Minimum Wage increases, Card Check, Cap & Trade, discussed Allen County Sales Tax, Issue 2, and other legislation impacting business. Lobbied for the High-Speed Rail Study and continued to support the Downtown Lima Corridor Project. Organized targeted legislative topical forums, receptions, debates, and breakfasts. Annually attend legislative meetings with state legislative representatives at the Ohio Capital to discuss significant Lima/Allen County issues. Provide legislative updates twice a month in the legislative Advocacy e- report, periodically for the Wake, Rattle and Roll event and the Chamber’s monthly news conference.
Walter C. Potts Entrepreneur Center
The Walter C. Potts Center exists to provide the education, resources, and support necessary to help small and minority-owned businesses start, grow, and thrive. By equipping entrepreneurs with practical tools and guidance, the Center strengthens job creation, promotes economic stability, and enhances overall quality of life throughout the Lima/Allen County community.
Through a collaborative partnership with the Northwest Ohio Minority Business Assistance Center at the University of Toledo, expanded services are available to minority- and women-owned businesses. This partnership provides access to free one-on-one consulting, assistance with federal, state, and local certification applications, and referrals to financial assistance programs for minority and underutilized businesses across 17 counties in Northwest Ohio.
Together, these efforts ensure that diverse entrepreneurs have the support, connections, and resources needed to invest in and contribute to the continued growth of the region.
Center for Business Services
The Center for Business Services represents a strategic collaboration among the Allen Economic Development Group, Visit Greater Lima, Visit Downtown Lima, Inc., Allen Lima Leadership, and the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce.
By operating together under one roof, these partner organizations align their expertise, resources, and networks to better serve businesses, entrepreneurs, visitors, and community leaders. This unified structure fosters collaboration, strengthens communication, and enhances efficiency across economic development, workforce initiatives, tourism promotion, downtown revitalization, and leadership development efforts.
The result is a true “one-stop shop” — a Center for Business Services designed to streamline access, reduce barriers, and provide coordinated support that drives business growth and regional prosperity.
Task Force Lima
Task Force L.I.M.A. was created in March of 2011 in response to a potential three-year gap in the production of the Abrams main battle tank as well as the threatened cancellation of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) program at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC). The Task Force is a coalition of local elected officials, economic development and business associations including the Chamber, labor organizations, media, and other community leadership, which have assembled in order to communicate with state and federal officials about the strategic importance of the JSMC, its unique and essential manufacturing capabilities, and its portfolio of world-class armored vehicles and products.