Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy — and nowhere is that more visible than in communities like Elmhurst and others in DuPage County. Every May, Small Business Month gives us a chance to step back and recognize what local business owners do every day: create jobs, build community, and keep money circulating where people live.
Why Small Businesses Matter
The numbers speak for themselves. According to the SBA Office of Advocacy’s 2026 Small Business FAQ report:
- 36.2 million small businesses operate in the United States — 99.9% of all U.S. businesses
- They employ 62.3 million people, representing 45.9% of the entire private sector workforce
- Small businesses account for 43.5% of U.S. GDP
- Between 1995 and 2024, small businesses created 20.7 million net new jobs — compared to 13.2 million created by large businesses
The impact goes beyond the stats.
Small businesses are what make a downtown feel like a downtown. They’re the reason neighbors become regulars, and regulars become community. When a locally owned business thrives, the benefits stay local — in jobs, in tax base, in the kind of place people choose to call home.
DuPage County is a strong example of this. The region’s economic vitality is driven in large part by the small and mid-sized businesses that line its main streets and fill its business parks — businesses built by people who had an idea, took a risk, and showed up every day to make it work.
The Challenges Are Just as Real
Running a small business is one of the hardest things a person can do. Most owners are making decisions — on marketing, hiring, finances, operations — without a team behind them. The challenges that come up most often:
- Getting visible without a big marketing budget
- Finding time to network when there’s always something else on the list
- Navigating local systems — permitting, advocacy, community relationships
- Knowing where to turn when you hit a wall
That’s not a reason to go it alone. It’s a reason to find your people.
What a Chamber of Commerce Actually Does for Small Businesses
A chamber of commerce is a membership organization built around one idea: that businesses do better when they’re connected. Connected to each other, to the community, and to the resources and relationships that help them grow.
In practice, that means:
- Advocacy — a voice in local policy conversations that affect how you operate
- Visibility — getting your name in front of people actively looking to support local businesses
- Events — networking, ribbon cuttings, and community programming that put members at the center of the conversation
- Peer community — other business owners who have been where you are and are willing to share what they know
A chamber isn’t a government agency. It isn’t funded by the city. It’s a privately funded organization that exists specifically to support the business community, which means its interests and yours are the same.
The Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry
The Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry has been serving the local business community since 1918. Today, with more than 700 members spanning Elmhurst and neighboring municipalities in DuPage County, ECCI is one of the area’s most active advocates for business growth and community connection.
“At 24 years old, I cashed in spare change to help open my first business. The moment I started making a profit, I joined the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry because I knew small businesses grow through community, connections, and visibility.” — Jennifer Veremis, President & CEO, Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Jennifer knows firsthand that owning a business can be isolating. It can also be lonely in ways that are hard to explain until you’ve lived it — which is exactly why having a strong business community matters. At ECCI, that community is built through events, programs, partnerships, and opportunities designed to help local businesses succeed, grow, and feel supported along the way.
Membership spans industries, business sizes, and geographies. You don’t have to be a large company to belong here, and you don’t have to be located in Elmhurst either.
Small Business Week: The Federal Anchor
National Small Business Week — held May 3–9 each year — is the federal observance at the center of Small Business Month. Established over 60 years ago, it’s when the U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs nationwide, hosts a free Virtual Summit, and draws national attention to the people who power local economies. If you haven’t explored SBA resources before, Small Business Week is a good time to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my business need to be located in Elmhurst to join? No. ECCI serves businesses across Elmhurst, DuPage County, and the broader surrounding area. If you do business here or want to build connections in this region, membership is open to you.
What are the requirements to join? There are few requirements to joining the Chamber of Commerce. Having a legitimate business or personal affiliation, paying membership dues, and agreeing to the Chamber code of conduct are the only rigid requirements.
How much does membership cost? We have 3 membership tiers with annual or monthly payment options. Basic tier – $480, Investor tier – $960, Advocate tier – $1,440. View our membership tiers HERE.
What benefits can I expect to see? Joining the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce and Industry connects your business to a strong local network while boosting your visibility through marketing opportunities and events. Members gain access to valuable relationships, community involvement, and resources that support long-term business growth.
If you’re building something in our area, this is where you belong.
Click here to learn more about our membership options or start the application process – https://chambermaster.elmhurstchamber.org/member/newmemberapp/