What a year 2020 has been. Despite the chaos, uncertainty, and lack of what we thought would happen this year, we are hopeful. We are thankful. We are excited to sit around a table with loved ones and lots of food to share what we are grateful for this year.

When this pandemic started and we sheltered-in-place, the Chamber team sprang into action to be a resource for our community, hosting dozens of webinars on everything from PPP loans to data security in remote workplaces. We published content about everything from what our members were doing to help the community to how to make a DIY face mask. Our work has made an impact on the business community during the most difficult year.

So what are we thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Most importantly, each other

The chamber staff is intentional, hard-working, and unbelievably kind. Our small but mighty teams love and care about the work they do day in and day out. Each person is grateful for the roles they play as well as the work they do to serve our community.

Job creation

We are thankful that this year has been a record-breaking year for job announcements for Opportunity Austin. Even in the middle of a pandemic, people from all over the country recognize Texas’ business-friendly climate.

And through Opportunity Austin – we facilitated remarkable job growth with Tesla and BAE Systems. We’ve recorded 35 newly located companies announcing 9,790 jobs thus far in 2020. These are real jobs for real people during a very difficult time for all of us.

The Austin community

In the middle of a pandemic, things are bound to be hard. Even throughout a toilet paper shortage, fewer social interactions, travel restrictions, and Zoom gloom, we are grateful for our city that comes together as a City of Us.