OneSpartanburg, Inc. named finalist for prestigious U.S. Chamber of the Year award

OneSpartanburg, Inc. has been named a finalist for the 2026 U.S. Chamber of the Year Award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), alongside the Greater Des Moines Partnership in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, in Mobile, Ala.  

The award, sponsored by GrowthZone, is the most prestigious and competitive award in the industry, recognizing excellence in operations and community impact. Finalists are selected from across the United States and represent the highest-performing organizations in the industry. 

OneSpartanburg, Inc.’s submission spoke to its collective model, economic impact, record of job creation, and advocacy efforts to improve Spartanburg’s infrastructure. Its successful application was heavily weighed on the advancement of two community and economic development priorities under the OneSpartanburg Vision Plan:  

• Power Up Spartanburg, a small business development initiative in partnership with Spartanburg County that has engaged 2,835 small businesses, providing access to capital, physical space, contracts, mentorship, subject matter experts, social capital, and educational offerings.  
• Advancing economic mobility through college and career connections, including EDGE, which connects students to high-value careers through work-based and career-connected learning, and Re: Degree, which helps adults advance through degree completion and high-value certifications, both part of Movement 2030.  
  • More than 600 paid internships have been pledged by more than 100 employers for students in summer 2026. And since launch, Re:Degree has helped 592 people reenroll, while 74 people have completed a degree or high-value certification. 

"This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our Executive Board, partners, and dedicated team members who work every day on behalf of the people and businesses of Spartanburg County," said OneSpartanburg, Inc. President and CEO Allen Smith. "Being named a finalist for U.S. Chamber of the Year is an honor that reinforces what can be accomplished when a community remains focused on collaboration and results over divisiveness and misinformation." 

Chamber of the Year award winners will be announced on Tuesday, July 21 during ACCE’s Annual Convention in New Orleans. 

“Being named a Chamber of the Year finalist is a powerful reflection of leadership, innovation and measurable impact,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “We congratulate these outstanding chambers on this well-deserved recognition. They are not only serving their members, they are shaping stronger economies, building more resilient communities and setting a high standard for the chamber profession.” 

Organizations interested in competing for the award must first qualify, meeting minimum thresholds in key performance areas in ACCE’s Annual Chamber Operations Survey. Qualifying organizations enter the competition with a written application addressing all aspects of organizational operation and programmatic work. Experienced industry professionals score applications and interview finalists. 

As the Carolinas only consolidated business, economic, talent, and tourism development organization, OneSpartanburg, Inc. serves as a catalyst for Spartanburg’s economic vitality and regional competitiveness. The organization leads initiatives focused on talent pipelines, economic diversification, and place-making, while fostering collaboration among businesses, nonprofits, and local governments.  

OneSpartanburg, Inc. was named U.S. Chamber of the Year in 2021, primarily based on the creation of its unique model and its economic recovery efforts during COVID-19.  

"To be recognized among the nation's leading chambers is a testament to the momentum we have built together throughout Spartanburg County," said William Gray, Principal at McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture and Chair of the OneSpartanburg, Inc. Executive Board. "This achievement belongs to our entire community and reinforces our mission to create an environment where businesses and people can thrive."