In the KNOW!

November 17 | 2025

A Year-End Opportunity to Invest in Your Employees

As we head into the final stretch of the year, I want to remind everyone that there are only six weeks left to enroll in the Care to Grow Childcare Program, which officially closes on December 30. If your business has a little room left in the 2025 budget, this is an ideal moment to make an investment that creates real, lasting impact for the people who power your organization.

Through this grant, employers provide just a 20% match, and in return, your employees can receive up to $5,000 to cover childcare expenses they have already paid dating back to February of this year. For many families, this could serve as a meaningful end-of-year bonus or even the most impactful holiday gift they receive.

Beyond the immediate financial relief, participating in Care to Grow is also a strategic workforce decision. Supporting your employees with childcare assistance can strengthen retention, build long-term loyalty, and increase productivity by reducing one of the biggest stressors working parents face. It is a simple but powerful way to show your team they are valued and an investment that pays dividends in your workplace culture.

With the deadline approaching, now is the perfect time to enroll and give your team a benefit that makes a real difference as they head into the new year. Don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions about the program or want to learn more.

-Crystal

President and CEO

QUICK CLICK QUESTION

What’s the biggest challenge your business faces right now?

Hiring & retaining staff

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Celebrate Our Growing Business Community!

Join us as we welcome new businesses and celebrate local growth at our upcoming ribbon cuttings. These events are a great way to connect, show support, and help new members feel the strength of the Chamber community.

Bring a coworker, meet fellow members, and be part of the excitement as we cut the ribbon on new investments and opportunities in Shawnee. We’d love to see you there!

SAVE THE DATE

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Digital Strategies Small Businesses Can Use to Boost Sales on Small Business Saturday and Beyond

This Small Business Saturday, your digital presence can make or break in-person traffic. Discover how smart social media, online tools, and event integrations can turn digital engagement into real-world sales wins.

Learn More Here

LEADERSHIP SHAWNEE

Leadership Shawnee Explores City & County Government

Last week, Leadership Shawnee spent the day digging into how our city and county operate behind the scenes to keep Shawnee and Pottawatomie County moving forward.

The morning began with the City of Shawnee management team, who walked the class through how a city functions and the decisions that shape daily life for residents and businesses. Participants also toured the new Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment Plants for an inside look at the infrastructure that supports our growing community.

In the afternoon, the class visited with Pottawatomie County officials, hearing directly from Commissioners about how county government works. The group toured county facilities, met the District 1 team, and saw firsthand the equipment and responsibilities that keep county services running.

It was a full day of meaningful conversations, questions, and hands-on learning, exactly what Leadership Shawnee is designed to provide.

MEMBER EVENTS

Want Your Event in Our Newsletter?

If you're a Shawnee Forward member and have an upcoming event you'd like to share, we’d love to help spread the word! Please email your flyer to Daniel or Crystal at least two weeks before the event, and we’ll include it in the two newsletters leading up to your big day. It’s a great way to get your event in front of the community. Don’t miss out on this member benefit!

Miss a Newsletter?

If you missed a recent newsletter, you can catch up anytime by viewing the archives on our website here.

A Rare Sponsorship Opportunity

For the first time in a long while, Shawnee Forward has an opening for the exclusive sponsorship of In the Know.

This weekly e-newsletter reaches more than 2,900 local professionals, business owners, and community leaders who are actively shaping the future of Shawnee and Pottawatomie County. It is one of our highest-engagement communications and a trusted source for regional updates.

As the newsletter sponsor, your business will receive:

• Banner ad included in every issue

• Hyperlinked logo on our archived newsletter webpage

• One featured article per quarter to highlight your business

• First right of refusal to renew the sponsorship annually

If your organization wants consistent visibility with key decision makers, this is a smart place to be. It may be a while before this opportunity opens again.

Reach out to me directly if you’d like to claim it.

daniel@shawneeforward.com | 405-273-6092

Shawnee Forward | 405-273-6092