FOX CITIES, Wis. (April 8, 2026) – As part of its ongoing economic development strategy, the Fox Cities Chamber recently led a delegation of business and civic leaders to Charleston, South Carolina for a Leadership Exchange and Benchmarking Tour focused on regional development and long-term growth.

The exchange aligns with the Chamber’s role as a regional convener, bringing together public, private, and nonprofit leaders to strengthen collaboration, build leadership capacity, and sharpen a shared economic vision for the Fox Cities.

“Strong regional economies don’t happen by accident,” said Becky Bartoszek, President & CEO of the Chamber. “They are built through intentional collaboration, long-term planning, and continued investment in people and place. That’s why this leadership exchange is vital for the Fox Cities.”

Charleston was selected as a peer region because of its success as a fast-growing, mid-sized metro that has diversified its economy while maintaining a strong sense of identity. Spanning Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties, the region has aligned tourism, logistics, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and quality‑of‑place investments around a shared regional strategy.

For the Fox Cities, the tour underscored the importance of strengthening regional alignment across municipalities, institutions, and sectors. Charleston’s experience demonstrated how a clear regional narrative helps communities attract employers, residents, and investment by communicating the full strength of the regional ecosystem.

Long-Term Vision and Economic Resilience

A central theme of the exchange was the value of long-term vision in economic development. Charleston’s redevelopment of the former North Charleston Navy Yard following the loss of more than 25,000 jobs after the naval base closure stood out as a powerful example of how sustained planning and public‑private partnership can transform disruption into opportunity.

The delegation also examined Charleston’s integrated approach to tourism, transportation infrastructure, and downtown revitalization. Investments in air service, walkable downtowns, waterfront access, historic preservation, and cultural amenities were consistently framed as economic development tools, not amenities alone.

“These exchanges aren’t about copying another region,” said Bartoszek. “They are about learning how successful regions organize themselves and using that insight to think more clearly about our own path forward.” She added that participants returned home with both tactical insights and strategic questions, including:

  • How can the Fox Cities further strengthen regional collaboration?
  • What long-term vision should guide future growth?
  • How can the region better communicate its identity?

Attendees are continuing to meet after the visit to discuss these questions and action steps for continued growth in the region.

Read more about the visit at Leadership Exchange Visits – Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce.

This Leadership Exchange was part of a broader strategy to support economic vitality through leadership development, regional collaboration, and informed decision‑making. The Chamber plans to continue the series, with the next benchmarking tour scheduled for Huntsville, Alabama, February 16-18, 2027. Anyone interested can join a list to receive updates: Huntsville 2027 Interest Form