February 6, 2025

Capital Credit Union certified as Platinum-Level Employee Friendly Workplace

Jack Herkowski, Manager, Economic Development, Fox Cities Chamber (center) presents the Platinum Employee Friendly Workplace certification to Laurie Butz, President & CEO, and members of the Capital Credit Union team.

Congratulations to Capital Credit Union on being certified as a Platinum-Level Employee Friendly Workplace by the Fox Cities Chamber! The honor marks the second EFW certification for the company, which was gold-certified in 2023. Reaching this top honor speaks to their dedication to continually working to make Capital Credit Union an employer of choice in the Fox Cities.

Some of the initiatives that contribute to Capital Credit Union’s certification include the option for flexible work schedules, paid time off for both full-time and part-time employees, health and wellness incentives, tuition reimbursement for employees and their children, and a culture of volunteerism. Recent advancements included expanding bereavement pay, offering pet insurance, expanding PTO and sick time benefits, and giving a logo wear allowance. These additional factors helped them level up to be a Platinum-Status Employee Friendly Workplace.

Read the full news release

Celebrate your anniversary milestones with us!

We’re celebrating our members who have achieved a key milestone in 2025! This includes ANY anniversary that ends in a 5 or 0 …. from 5 years to 200 (and more).

Click here to tell us about the milestone your company is celebrating.

By sharing your milestone with us, your company will appear on our Member Anniversary web page, and receive recognition both in The Business News and at a Chamber event.

Share your anniversary milestone

Milestone sponsorships are also available for those who want to take that extra step in showcasing their company! Contact Eric Broten for more information.

Your Business Advocate:

Legislative Update

Recently at the capitol, Governor Tony Evers delivered his seventh State of the State address, declaring 2025 the “Year of the Kid.” His speech focused on investments in children, families, and schools, including free school meals, expanded mental health services, enhanced gun violence prevention, and addressing lead contamination in drinking water. He proposed nearly $300 million for school-based mental health initiatives and $154.8 million for the “Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids” program.

While Evers expressed optimism for bipartisan collaboration under the newly redrawn legislative maps, Republican leaders pushed back, calling his proposals excessive government spending.

Read the full update

Upcoming networking opportunities with the Chamber

February 13: Business After Hours

Join us from 4:30 - 6:30 PM at Casper's Truck Equipment for our February Business After Hours! The event will be held at 700 Randolph Dr. in Appleton.

February 18: Morning Mingle

Start your morning with new connections at the Chamber from 8 - 9:15 AM. Premier Bridgewood will be providing breakfast bites!

Protect your business; attend upcoming Chamber seminar

Take the necessary steps to protect your business and learn more about cyber-safety at our seminar on The New Age of Scams, Identity Theft and Cybersecurity!

James Kilsdonk from Encompass Security will present on the realities of scams, identity theft, and cyber security, while Megan Mulholland from Compass Communications LLC will educate participants on the steps to take, both personally and professionally if your business suffers a cyber-attack.

Learn from both of these professionals on February 12 from 8 – 9:30 AM at Community First Credit Union in Neenah. The seminar is FREE for Chamber members, and $25 for non-members.

AI Summit Speaker Application deadline extended to Monday

The deadline for requesting to speak at the Chamber's AI Business Summit has been extended until Monday at 5 PM. The Summit is planned for Nov. 5, 2025 at the Hilton Paper Valley in Appleton, from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. Applicants should note that this is an informational program, and all presentations must be educational in nature. No sales pitches or self-promotion is allowed. The Chamber is open to speaker format options, from presentations and case studies to panel discussions and workshops. Apply here! Questions can be addressed to lwiegert@foxcc.net.

Claim your booth at Future Fox Cities Career Expo

Register for a booth at the Future Fox Cities Career Expo and connect with thousands of Fox Cities students! Fill your future pipeline and provide up close and personal career exploration to 8th through 12th grade students from around the Fox Cities.

Employers can provide information about opportunities such as job shadowing, informational interviews, classroom visits, company tours, internships, summer employment, part-time employment, school-to-work pathways, youth apprenticeships, and more.

Future Fox Cities is set for April 15 – 16 at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center in Appleton. Companies can register for an exhibitor booth here or by clicking the button below.

Meet your Fox Cities Chamber members!

A recent national Chamber poll indicated that 70% of respondents would like to know more about Chambers, including what local businesses are members. Here at the Fox Cities Chamber we are proud to serve more than 1,700 organizations. Did you know that we have a membership directory online, where you can see who our business members are? You can search by name or category to easily find a company. Check it out here or by clicking the button below.

Chamber Member Directory

Attend a free webinar on Maximizing the 2025 NFL Draft for your Fox Cities Business, on February 27 from 1:30 - 3 PM.

The Fox Cities Chamber, Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau, Appleton Downtown, Inc., and Future Neenah are partnering to bring you new updates on the impact the draft may have on our area, as well as local plans to promote the Fox Cities during the event.

Register for the free webinar here! If you are unable to attend at this time, please note that the program will be recorded.

WMC Webinar: Update on President Trump’s Tariffs

Tomorrow, February 7, WMC will be hosting a webinar to share an update on President Trump’s order for tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, and we encourage all of our members to attend! There will be a presentation by Sarah Helton - Michael Best Partner; Michael Best Strategies Chair, Trade and Procurement Practices - followed by a Q&A period. The webinar will be held from 12:30 - 1:30 PM; learn more and register here.

People Making Headlines

Prevea welcomes sports medicine and family medicine physician, Dr. Michael Tapscott.

SECURA Insurance promotes Carol Wedig to Vice President–Chief Information Officer.

What We're Reading

Wisconsin receives $100M for local road upgrades supporting farmers, forestry

US job openings fall to 7.6 million in December, suggesting the job market is slowing but healthy

Chamber Member News

HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center and Prevea Health are now offering leading-edge technology for lung cancer biopsies with the Ion® endoluminal system.

J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue is bringing its vital Exotic Pet Surrender Event back to 1000 Islands Environmental Center on March 1.

OSMS now offering Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Services in Ripon.

Registration is now open for the Miracle League of the Fox Valley, a program of Goodwill North Central Wisconsin.