Chambers of commerce are vital proponents of local economies. They work to identify economic growth opportunities and use data to inform decision-making at the local level. In the Eighth District, the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce represents business interests, engages in policy advocacy, workforce development initiatives, and economic research across rural and metro Arkansas communities.

Randy Zook, president and CEO of the Arkansas chamber, discusses his approach to working with communities on shared economic priorities. "First thing you try to do is get everyone on the same page and get the facts," Zook says. "What are the real numbers?"

Zook describes his approach to serving all kinds of communities across Arkansas, and how data and regional insight factor into that work. He also discusses how the St. Louis Fed's research and data play a role in supporting business and community leaders' understanding of local and regional economic conditions.

Condrad Daniels is president of HJI Supply Chain Solutions and chair of the St. Louis Fed's Louisville Branch board of directors. Reflecting on his role with the branch board, Daniels shares valuable insights that deepen the Fed's understanding of business conditions. He says Federal Reserve bank boards are filled with leaders from different corners of the economy. "It is every type of business, every type of leader," Daniels says.

In this episode of Your Fed, Your Voice, Humana Foundation CEO Tiffany Benjamin discusses how improving health care access supports the economy. "Health and wealth are tied together," Benjamin tells Seema Sheth, regional executive of the St. Louis Fed's Louisville Branch. "If you're not feeling well and you're physically limited, it's hard to work." Humana Foundation's work includes funding expansions of mental health access in rural areas and improving hospital outcomes through data insights.