Chamber unveils Leadership Hernando Class of 2026 to build local leaders

The Greater Hernando County Chamber announced on Jan. 14, 2026 that it has named the Leadership Hernando Class of 2026, continuing an annual cohort program designed to introduce emerging and established community leaders to county-wide issues, public-sector partners and networking opportunities.

Leadership Hernando is run by the chamber as a yearlong, cohort-style leadership-development initiative. The program brings together participants from across Hernando County—including business owners, nonprofit managers and public officials—to tour facilities, hear from agency leaders and develop working relationships intended to improve coordination on local priorities. The chamber’s announcement notes the program’s focus on county-wide issues and on connecting participants with public-sector partners; details for prospective participants and general chamber contact information are posted online at business.hernandochamber.com.

For residents who want roster names or the program schedule, the chamber directs inquiries to info@hernandochamber.com or the chamber phone number listed on the post. Those details were not included in the announcement itself. Prospective applicants and employers who want to support participant release time or sponsor sessions should use those contact channels to learn about timelines and commitments.

Economically, leadership programs like this matter because they strengthen the local leadership pipeline that supports small businesses, workforce development and public-private collaboration. Hernando County’s mix of coastal commerce, tourism-facing businesses and growing residential communities requires coordinated planning around infrastructure, housing, health services and environmental resilience. A chamber-facilitated cohort that improves cross-sector relationships can speed practical problem solving, reduce duplication in public services and help align workforce training with employer needs.

For business owners and community leaders on Main Street in Brooksville or businesses along U.S. 19 in Spring Hill, the immediate benefit is access to county decision-makers and peers who can help navigate permitting, workforce issues and intergovernmental coordination. Over the medium term, stronger networks often translate into faster project approvals, better workforce pipelines and more effective advocacy for county funding priorities.

What comes next is straightforward: interested parties should contact the chamber at info@hernandochamber.com or visit business.hernandochamber.com to request the Class of 2026 roster and session schedule. The program’s success will be measured in how well participants convert those introductions into sustained partnerships that address Hernando County’s key economic and civic challenges.