Sylacauga Chamber CEO Completes National Workforce Fellowship

Laura Strickland focused on developing local talent and jobs during prestigious program.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:30pm

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life featuring a polished metal trophy, a stack of professional certificates, and a laptop computer on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the accomplishments and ongoing work of a business leader.Sylacauga's chamber CEO brings national expertise back home to strengthen the local workforce.Sylacauga Today

Laura Strickland, the President and CEO of the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce in Alabama, has successfully completed a national fellowship program focused on workforce development. The prestigious program provided Strickland with advanced training and insights to help strengthen the local economy and create more job opportunities for residents.

Why it matters

As a key leader in the Sylacauga business community, Strickland's participation in this national fellowship underscores the city's commitment to investing in workforce development initiatives. Her new expertise can help the Chamber attract more employers, support small businesses, and prepare local talent for in-demand jobs.

The details

The fellowship program, run by a national non-profit organization, provided Strickland with intensive training over several months on topics like talent recruitment, skills gap analysis, and public-private partnerships. She was able to connect with peers from chambers across the country to share best practices.

  • Strickland completed the fellowship program in March 2026.

The players

Laura Strickland

The President and CEO of the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce, leading workforce development initiatives in the local community.

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What they’re saying

“This fellowship was an invaluable opportunity to gain new strategies and connections to better serve our local businesses and job seekers.”

— Laura Strickland, President and CEO, Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce

What’s next

Strickland plans to share her learnings from the fellowship with the Chamber's board and local government leaders to inform new workforce programs and partnerships in the coming year.

The takeaway

Sylacauga's Chamber of Commerce is taking proactive steps to strengthen the local economy by investing in the skills and talents of its workforce, positioning the city to attract new employers and retain existing businesses.