The Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce have announced a strategic partnership designed to strengthen business support, expand local capacity, and position the Greater Buchanan area for its next phase of economic growth.
Under the new agreement, the Buchanan Area Chamber will maintain its local identity, governance and membership while integrating into the Regional Chamber’s operational infrastructure. This preserves local leadership and focus, while adding the benefits of enhanced advocacy, increased programmatic offerings, broader regional visibility, and a more coordinated approach to economic and community development.
The partnership formalizes a longstanding working relationship between the two organizations, which have previously collaborated on initiatives including the Buchanan Social District and key developments such as The Grant Hotel and McCollum’s Restaurant & Bar. It also builds upon the support the Regional Chamber has provided to area municipalities like the City of Buchanan and Buchanan Charter Township.
“The City of Buchanan has long valued the support the Regional Chamber has given to our community, and a formal partnership with our local chamber will only multiply that impact,” said Mark Weedon, Mayor of Buchanan. “It strengthens our ability to serve local businesses and positions Greater Buchanan for long-term growth and economic vitality.”
The announcement arrives amid significant momentum in the Greater Buchanan area. Over the past eighteen months, the community has attracted substantial public and private investment in infrastructure, placemaking, and redevelopment—accelerating recent economic activity.
It also marks the latest adoption of the Regional Chamber’s regional growth strategy, with Buchanan joining Niles and Bridgman in a coordinated approach across local chambers. The model is designed to align communities, expand capacity, and translate local momentum into sustained economic impact across the region.
“We are thankful for the opportunity to more closely partner with the Buchanan Area Chamber and the Greater Buchanan community,” said Arthur Havlicek, President & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. “There’s tremendous momentum in Buchanan, and we look forward to helping this community reach its full potential.”
Havlicek credited the Buchanan Chamber Board of Directors for embracing a forward-looking approach that positions both the organization and the community for continued growth.
For their part, Buchanan Chamber Board Members emphasized that the partnership reflects a renewed commitment to strengthening the local Chamber’s role in the community and rebuilding confidence among area businesses through consistent leadership, transparency, and expanded resources.
“This partnership with the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber represents a fresh start and an opportunity to reset and refocus on the mission of the chamber. Our business community deserves strong support, collaboration, and a shared vision for growth. We recognize that trust has been strained in recent years, and rebuilding those relationships is essential moving forward,” said Kyle Zelmer, Buchanan Area Chamber Board Chair.
Leaders say the new partnership will also seek to strengthen collaboration with organizations such as the Buchanan Downtown Development Authority and the Buchanan Business Boosters as the community continues to grow.
“By getting back to our roots and working alongside the Regional Chamber, Buchanan DDA, the Business Boosters, and our local business owners, we can work together to bring renewed energy, collaboration, and growth to Buchanan,” Zelmer added.
Additional details regarding new programming, events, and initiatives will be shared in the coming weeks and months.
