Jon Ballard

Established in the early 1990s through the merger of the area chamber of commerce and the economic development corporation, Forward Janesville supports over 600 member businesses and more than 100 active volunteers by providing networking opportunities, business resources, and advocacy for pro-growth initiatives such as workforce development and government relations. Forward Janesville leads regional projects, supports specialized initiatives for Latino entrepreneurs, and provides services such as business retention and expansion, workforce education, and community outreach. The private company is based in Janesville, WI. Forward Janesville, Inc. is a combined chamber of commerce and private economic development organization dedicated to fostering local business growth, community engagement, and regional prosperity. The organization offers membership benefits including access to events, publishes resources to keep members informed, and emphasizes leadership development, community partnerships, and collaboration. It also maintains an online child care directory to assist families and employers with local child care options. Shar Hermanson has been the CEO of the company since 2024.