The Tulare Chamber of Commerce hosts a ribbon cutting ceremony for the inaugural Tulare Marketplace event at Zumwalt Park on Aug. 6. Courtesy of Tulare Marketplace

As several Central Valley chambers of commerce reported budget growth and steady leadership this year, others struggled with internal problems — or shut down entirely.

The contrast plays out across the region. The Fresno Chamber of Commerce grew its foundation and civic programs while smaller chambers in Firebaugh, Hanford and elsewhere disbanded. The numbers behind those trajectories appear in The Business Journal’s annual Chambers of Commerce list.

Stable success

In the past year or so, the Fresno Chamber has been leaning into its foundation and its civic educational programs for local high schools and colleges.

“Our Chamber has been growing and our budget has been growing, and I think it has a lot to do with pivoting to what the community needs and what businesses are really focusing on,” said Scott Miller, president and CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce.

One thing the Fresno Chamber does that others don’t, Miller said, is staying engaged with politics, public affairs and public advocacy.

As an entrepreneur involved in four different businesses operating in the City of Fresno, Miller said he has real-time knowledge of what businesses are going through and can speak the language of chamber members.

The Fresno Chamber’s budget held flat at $1.3 million between 2022 and 2024, then dropped about 7.7% in 2025 and settled at $1.2 million in 2026. Its annual membership fee was $465 in 2022, dropped to $400 in 2024 and rose back to $465 in 2025. As of 2026, the annual membership fee is listed at $488. Miller remained the top executive as CEO throughout the period, and Gena Behrens joined as chief operating officer in 2025.

Growth across the region

Other chambers posted gains of their own.

The Tulare Chamber of Commerce saw the clearest growth. Its budget was not listed for 2022 but ran $600,000 in 2023 and 2024, climbed to $625,000 in 2025 and jumped to $725,000 this year — up $125,000, or 20.8%. Its membership fee range moved from $300 to $10,000 in 2023 and 2024 to $350 to $10,000 in 2025. Donnette Silva Carter has been CEO since 2016.

The Madera District Chamber of Commerce grew its budget from $261,400 in 2024 to $300,000 in 2025 and 2026 — an increase of $38,600, or 14.8%. No figures were listed for 2022 and 2023. Its minimum membership fee rose from $205 in 2024 to $230 by 2026. President and CEO Debi Bray has been with the chamber since 1986 and assumed her current role in 1989.

The Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce saw the largest one-year percentage increase, with its budget rising from $54,000 in 2025 to $150,000 in 2026 — up $96,000, or 177.8%. Its membership fee tiers went unchanged, ranging from $200 to $950. Niko Madrigal is president, with Rosie Sepulveda as secretary, Santino Delacruz as treasurer and Patty Grissom as vice president.

The Clovis Chamber of Commerce held steady, reporting $750,000 in each year from 2023 through 2026. Its 2022 budget was not listed. President and CEO Greg Newman leads the chamber.

The Visalia Chamber of Commerce budget held at $750,000 for four straight years before falling to $600,000 in 2026, a 20% drop. Its disclosed membership fee changed from a $475 to $25,000 range in 2020 to “varies” starting in 2023. Leadership shifted several times: Gail Zurek served as president and CEO from 2022 to 2023, with Sue Summers as vice president in 2022 and CFO from 2023 to the present. Matthew Mingone took over as president and CEO in 2024. Jena Rodriguez became director of operations in 2025 and began leading the Visalia Chamber in 2026.

Trouble in the chamber

Not every chamber weathered the period. Some faced internal problems among staff, budget and fraud issues and low community involvement — and for several, it wasn’t simply ups and downs.

The Firebaugh Chamber, the Hanford Chamber, the Sequoia Foothills Chamber and the Woodlake Valley Chamber all disbanded this year.

In July, the Sanger Chamber of Commerce moved out of its offices in the city annex building after 39 years but will continue serving the community. As of July, the chamber had no location to move to because annual contract negotiations with the city of Sanger had not been completed. The city expanded its police department services and needed the office back from the chamber.