Jessica Tullar, President & CEO, Matthews Area Chamber of Commerce

Invest: spoke with Jessica Tullar, executive director of the Matthews Area Chamber of Commerce, about the town’s shifting business landscape, workforce priorities and regional connectivity. “Matthews feels like a small town without actually being a small town. It has a true hometown atmosphere,” Tullar noted.

As you look back on the past year, what changes or regional dynamics have had the greatest impact on businesses in Matthews?

This year felt like a milestone. We wrapped up our 45th year as a chamber and grew to about 340 members, with steady new business openings. At the same time, we’re seeing a real changing of the guard as longtime owners retire or sell and a younger business climate emerges. That mix of experience and new ideas is reshaping our business community.

Regionally, the passage of the transit tax was the biggest shift. It has the potential to improve connectivity across the county, but Matthews was not included in the light rail plan, so transportation and access remain top-of-mind. There are provisions for expanded bus routes that could help, but we already see heavy traffic and a lot of commuting between Matthews and Charlotte. Meanwhile, Charlotte continues to grow and housing demand is strong. We’re always in need of more housing in Matthews, and our focus is on growth that feels steady and manageable.

What makes Matthews an ideal place for businesses to thrive, and how does it stand out?

Matthews feels like a small town without actually being a small town. It has a true hometown atmosphere. Our downtown is walkable, with parks, green space, and local businesses where you’ll almost always run into someone you know. It’s easy for families to spend time here, and that quality of life is a big asset for employers.

For businesses, it means employees have amenities, restaurants, events, and recreation right at their doorstep, within a community that really values local enterprises. Transportation is our main pain point, and we’re candid about that, but if that’s our biggest issue, we’re still in a strong position because we have so much else to offer.

How is the chamber supporting workforce development, and are there particular industries you are focused on?

Matthews is home to major employers in healthcare, grocery, and manufacturing, alongside a large number of small businesses. All of them need people. Over the past year, we’ve focused heavily on building partnerships with our local schools.

We launched Ignite Your Tomorrow with Butler High School. Each month, local professionals speak to students about industries that align with the school’s career pathways so they can see what those jobs look like and start building relationships. We’re expanding the program to a second school, Middle College, and exploring ways to reach middle school students earlier. In 2026, we’ll also host field trips so students can visit employers like Carotek and see firsthand the types of careers they can build right here in Matthews.

How are you incorporating feedback from members into your programming so you can better support their needs?

When members talk to us, employment is always at the top of the list. That’s why the school partnerships are so important. I’ve also become more involved with CPCC and UNC Charlotte, both by hiring interns for the chamber and by connecting students with employers in our network.

I regularly get calls from businesses asking if I know anyone who wants a job. There are jobs out there. Many small businesses are hiring. They simply don’t have the time or resources to run formal recruitment processes because they’re immersed in day-to-day operations. Our role is to build bridges between schools, colleges, and employers so students can find internships or part-time work and businesses can find the talent they need.

Beyond workforce, we listen for what support they need in terms of resources and relationships. Do they want more direct access to the town of Matthews, our Board of Commissioners, or our mayor? Do they want the county to be more visible here? Those are gaps the Chamber can help close. In May, we launched an economic development program in partnership with Atrium Health that will be in its second year in 2026. It brings local and regional leaders together to walk through growth trends, projects, and policy changes that could affect our businesses.

What additional steps are you taking to support small businesses, minority-owned firms, and entrepreneurs?

That work is always on our radar. I’m developing new programming for 2026 tailored to startups and entrepreneurs. In the meantime, we’re focused on creating more direct touchpoints between small businesses and local decision-makers.

We’re launching a quarterly Coffee with Our Commissioners series so business owners can have informal conversations with town leaders. We’ll host an economic forecast event and continue our economic development initiative in May. All of these are designed to put regional and local leaders in front of our small business community so they can be heard and help shape solutions. Just as I value Matthews being included in regional conversations, I want our small businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders to feel they have a seat at the table regionally as well.

Where are you seeing the greatest opportunities for businesses to grow in Matthews, and where is the most momentum?

One clear opportunity is space. Matthews has quite a bit of available space right now. For a small business looking to add a location or a new concept looking for a storefront, we have options, and even more retail space will come online over the next year.

For existing businesses, workforce will remain a central focus. At the same time, the landscape is changing quickly with social media, AI, and other tools. There are more resources than ever to help businesses grow, reach customers, and streamline operations. It can feel overwhelming, but it also means there is always something new to learn. The chamber can play a bigger role by sharing those tools, offering workshops, and helping members figure out what fits their goals.

The mindset of the community is another strength. Matthews has a genuinely supportive culture where people want to see their neighbors succeed. We know more growth is coming, and we’re excited about it. I’m excited for any new businesses that choose to put down roots here.

What are your top priorities for the chamber over the next two to three years, and what is your overall outlook?

We want to deepen the workforce and talent pipeline programming we’ve started and build on what’s already working. We also want to lean further into the economic development side by helping fill vacant spaces and supporting new projects. Several buildings are scheduled for completion in 2026, and our goal is to see them filled with thriving businesses and residents.

Another priority has been our public policy and legislative agenda. We’ll take our second trip to the Capitol in 2026 and continue strengthening relationships with local and state officials. I want our businesses to feel confident that if they can’t speak directly to their elected leaders, the chamber can do that on their behalf. In three years, my hope is that our business community clearly sees the chamber as that kind of leader, connector, and advocate.

Is there anything you would like to add, or anything we haven’t touched on that you want readers to know?

There is just so much happening here. Matthews is a fantastic place to be. We have great proximity to the airport, major sports teams, and entertainment. We have strong neighborhoods for families, a growing restaurant scene, and a vibrant, walkable downtown. There is something to do every weekend. Our Parks and Recreation Department does a wonderful job providing cultural programs and festivals, and I joke that there’s always something going on in Matthews.

It is a great place to live and work. Even if your employees live elsewhere, it’s a convenient place for them to commute to, with access and resources around every corner. If a company is looking to relocate to the Matthews area or expand into a new space, I would strongly encourage them to take a close look. There is still a lot of opportunity here.