“All business is local.” That message came through loud and clear at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 State of American Business.
[Watch the State of American Business here.]
During the program, leaders from across industries and regions discussed how local businesses fuel innovation, economic resilience, and national progress. Through thought-provoking conversations and a spotlight on the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex region, this event explored how businesses of all sizes and industries can navigate regulatory challenges and harness opportunities for growth.
The key takeaways from this event prove that American business's future begins with supporting local entrepreneurs.
- Suzanne Clark, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the impact of businesses on their local economies and called for smart public policies to support growth and opportunity nationwide.
- Dan Hunt, President of FC Dallas and Co-Owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, showcased DFW as a thriving region driven by diverse industries, pro-business policies, and the economic impact of sports franchises.
- Local chamber leaders from North Texas highlighted their regions’ unique strengths, collaboration with businesses, and efforts to address regulatory and workforce challenges.
- Lance Thrailkill shared how his manufacturing company, All Metals Fabricating, thrives by investing in innovation, workforce development, and community engagement.
- Industry leaders called for pro-growth policies, streamlined regulations, workforce investment, and expanded global trade to sustain economic success.
Why every business is a ‘local’ one
From mom-and-pop corner stores to global enterprises, businesses of all sizes contribute to the fabric of their communities. Building strong connections within those communities is key to driving growth and opportunity.
In a keynote address, Suzanne Clark highlighted examples, including local restaurants feeding residents, tech companies enabling remote work, and energy providers fueling daily commutes.
“Wherever a company, a service, a product, or a solution originates, its impact is always local, because local is where we live our lives,” she said.
[Read more: 5 Ways to Build Community Around Your Local Retail Business]
Promoting growth through public policy
Economic growth improves productivity, expands opportunities, and enhances quality of life. Clark pointed out that while the U.S. economy grew by nearly 3% in 2024, challenges like cooling growth rates and regulatory burdens could threaten future progress.
“One additional point of growth speeds up economic advancement in people's lives by more than a decade,” Clark said.
Clark noted that a thriving economy starts in cities, regions, and states, where private enterprise and public policy work hand in hand.
“Greater growth will be driven by businesses in local communities if it's supported by smart public policy,” said Clark, who called upon policymakers to roll back excessive regulations, extend competitive tax provisions, and embrace global trade opportunities.
“The actions our policymakers take will impact our nation's prospects for growth, your community's potential for strength, and all Americans’ pursuit of their dreams,” she added.
DFW Metroplex: A model for local economic growth
Most of the 2025 State of American Business program focused on success stories and lessons from businesses and organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
What DFW is doing right
In a conversation with Clark, Dan Hunt highlighted this North Texas region as a hub for innovation and opportunity. Hunt, whose family has a long history of sports franchise ownership and growth, shared several key factors that have made DFW an excellent model for other regions that want to support business and economic growth.
- Thriving business ecosystem. With a diverse industrial base, low unemployment, and strong talent pools, DFW has become a fast-growing hub for businesses of all sizes.
- Sports as an economic driver. Franchises like FC Dallas generate significant revenue and create ripple effects that benefit local vendors, hotels, and small businesses. Being a 2026 FIFA World Cup host city will also open doors for tourism and revenue opportunities in Dallas.
- Pro-business leadership: Tax-friendly policies, incentives, and forward-thinking leadership have made North Texas a magnet for investment and growth.
- Building for the future: Expanding facilities like FC Dallas’s stadium ensures the region stays competitive by supporting new events and industries.
- Global opportunities: The area’s business-friendly climate continues to attract international companies seeking a foothold in the U.S. market.
Wherever a company, a service, a product, or a solution originates, its impact is always local, because local is where we live our lives.
Suzanne Clark, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Local chambers of commerce promote growth through community and collaboration
Stephen Waguespack, President of the Institute for Legal Reform and Senior Vice President of Federation, State, and Local Advocacy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, sat down with leaders from three local North Texas chambers to discuss how their organizations play a critical role in supporting businesses and driving economic growth.
Each leader emphasized their region’s unique assets, such as Irving-Las Colinas’s central location and safe communities, Longview’s abundant natural resources and industrial base, and Arlington’s pro-business environment that encourages entrepreneurship and corporate investment.
“We're … seeing a large growth of small businesses come back into our market,” said Kelly Hall, President and CEO of the Longview Chamber of Commerce. “It's like there's an infinite mindset that [aspiring entrepreneurs] can go out and literally pick their dreams and start their businesses.”
The leaders agreed that investments — whether it’s large corporations entering the region or foreign direct investments — create opportunities for small businesses and promote growth in local economies.
“Large businesses … want to shop local … [and] shop small,” said Beth Bowman, President and CEO of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce. “If [small businesses are] a key component of the [larger] company's supply chain, they want to find opportunities to scale their business. And so now we're seeing some of our local small businesses transition into the middle market.”
They stressed the need for federal policies that align with local economic priorities, such as maintaining competitive tax rates and reforming tariffs.
“We can't have a tax rate that chases away [investors], because when a German company invests in Longview, that’s jobs … [and] revenue that helps … our economy grow,” Michael Jacobson, President and CEO of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
[Read more: Benefits of Joining a Local Chamber of Commerce]
Local innovation with a global impact
In a brief highlight segment, Clark spoke with Lance Thrailkill of All Metals Fabricating, a family-owned local manufacturing leader who has thrived in Allen, Texas, since 1953.
Thrailkill emphasized the importance of investing in automation, STEM education, and apprenticeship programs to sustain American manufacturing. Most importantly, he emphasized that success starts with taking care of your workforce.
“If you put your people first, they're going to, in turn, put the customer first,” said Thrailkill. “You take care of them and you prioritize them and take care of their needs, then … they're going to put the business forward.”
How policymakers can support the future of American business
In the final segment of the event, leaders from various industries shared their perspectives on the policies and conditions necessary for economic resilience in their sectors. While the respondents spoke about driving growth in their specific industries — including food and beverage, healthcare, engineering, banking, wholesale distribution, and others — a few common themes emerged:
- Regulatory reform. Many respondents stressed the importance of reducing regulations that hinder growth and innovation. They believe simplifying compliance processes and creating more predictable regulatory environments are essential for businesses of all sizes to thrive.
- Pro-growth economic policies. Several respondents noted that tax cuts, competitive tax structures, and avoiding policies that increase costs could help drive investment, job creation, and overall economic resilience.
- Workforce development. Respondents called for investments in education, trade training, and immigration reform to address talent shortages and help businesses better meet future demands for skilled workers.
- Infrastructure and supply chains. High-performing infrastructure and resilient supply chains are necessary to keep industries competitive, reduce costs, and support efficient operations across many industries.
- Global trade and market access. Policies that open international markets and reduce barriers like tariffs and visa restrictions would improve growth in industries that rely on exports, international visitors, and global supply chains.
“The best thing that policymakers can do is encourage that innovation,” said Matt Seaholm, CEO of Plastics Industry Association. “Don't stifle it.”
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