In the Upstate, our vision for a globally competitive regional economy won’t be met by settling for the status quo, but by demanding bold, practical policies that allow our businesses to succeed and our people to prosper. As the president and CEO of the Greenville Chamber, I have the privilege of representing thousands of employers who understand that the “way we’ve always done it” isn’t good enough for the future we are building together.

In Arkansas, we know that success isn’t just about having a good idea; it takes hard work and also the right tools to see it through. As someone who has spent over 30 years working in economic development, I’ve seen firsthand how access to credit has changed the game for businesses large and small, in cities and in rural areas, helping entrepreneurs turn their good ideas – their dreams – into reality.

For decades, the story of the American economy has been one of expanding opportunity. In Tennessee, we’ve seen firsthand how access to credit has evolved from a luxury for the few into a vital tool for the many.

Gone are the days when a small farmer or a shopkeeper had to rely on a single local lender or, worse, a predatory “handshake” deal. Today, whether it’s a shop owner in Savannah bridging a cash-flow gap or a family farm with a vital piece of equipment in need of repair, credit cards provide an important lifeline of liquidity.

Access to credit isn’t just a financial tool — it’s a lifeline.

For working families trying to stay afloat and for entrepreneurs trying to build something of their own, access to credit is often the difference between getting ahead and falling behind.

In Arizona, our neighborhoods are shaped by the resilience of Hispanic families and the drive of our entrepreneurs. I am proud to represent an organization that has fought for nearly a century to ensure that every Latino has a fair shot at the American Dream. From the desegregation battles of the 1940s at Tempe Beach to our current advocacy for educational equity, LULAC has always known that civil rights and economic opportunity are two sides of the same coin.

For too long, the story of Black businesses in Georgia was one of “making do” with the limited resources offered to us. Decades of systemic barriers meant that access to capital was often closed off, forcing Black entrepreneurs to rely on personal savings or informal networks. The practice of redlining, which denied loans and mortgages to people in certain neighborhoods, typically those with high-minority populations, has resulted in a long-term cycle of reduced homeownership, lower property values, and limited wealth accumulation for our communities.