Buchanan Chamber and SWM Regional Chamber announce partnership

The partnership aims to strengthen business support, expand local capacity, and position the Greater Buchanan area for economic growth.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:30am

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The Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce have announced a strategic partnership to enhance business support, expand local capacity, and drive economic growth in the Greater Buchanan area. Under the agreement, the Buchanan Chamber will maintain its local identity and governance while integrating into the Regional Chamber's operational infrastructure, allowing it to leverage increased advocacy, programming, and regional visibility.

Why it matters

The partnership formalizes a longstanding working relationship between the two organizations and builds upon the Regional Chamber's previous support for the Buchanan community. It aims to align local efforts, expand capacity, and translate momentum into sustained economic impact across the region.

The details

The partnership preserves the Buchanan Chamber's local leadership and focus while adding the benefits of the Regional Chamber's resources. It will strengthen collaboration with organizations like the Buchanan Downtown Development Authority and the Buchanan Business Boosters as the community continues to grow. The announcement comes amid significant momentum in the Greater Buchanan area, with recent public and private investments in infrastructure, placemaking, and redevelopment.

  • The partnership was announced on March 27, 2026.

The players

Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce

A local chamber of commerce serving the Buchanan, Michigan area.

Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce

A regional chamber of commerce serving Southwest Michigan.

Mark Weedon

Mayor of the City of Buchanan.

Arthur Havlicek

President & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber.

Kyle Zelmer

Buchanan Area Chamber Board Chair.

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What they’re saying

“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. It strengthens our ability to serve local businesses and positions Greater Buchanan for long-term growth and economic vitality.”

— Mark Weedon, Mayor of Buchanan

“We are thankful for the opportunity to more closely partner with the Buchanan Area Chamber and the Greater Buchanan community. There's tremendous momentum in Buchanan, and we look forward to helping this community reach its full potential.”

— Arthur Havlicek, President & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber

“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.”

— Kyle Zelmer, Buchanan Area Chamber Board Chair

What’s next

Additional details regarding new programming, events, and initiatives will be shared in the coming weeks and months.

The takeaway

The partnership between the Buchanan Area Chamber and the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber aims to align local efforts, expand capacity, and translate momentum into sustained economic growth for the Greater Buchanan area, building on the region's recent investments and development.