Alabama Chambers

Alabama Chambers “Did You Know” …A Historical Perspective Celebrating Alabama Chamber of Commerce Week – October 14-18, 2019

Chambers of Commerce have played an important role in the development of our nation and the state of Alabama. Whether openly or with a silent hand chambers have guided policy and taken action to affect change in our state and been present at many famous and infamous places throughout our country’s history. At each strategic inflection point of your community and this state, if you look closely, it is a safe bet that the chamber of commerce was present.

Chambers were instrumental nationally in projects including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Hoover Dam as well as the creation and deepening of several ports around the country to improve commerce.

Alabama Chambers “Did You Know” …A Historical Perspective

In his book The Magicians of Main Street, author Chris Mead chronicles the work and accomplishments of chambers of commerce throughout American history.

Following are a few items of the highlights of initiatives that Alabama Chambers of Commerce have been a part of. Did you know local chambers were responsible for or had a hand in:

• Establishing the Wright Brothers’ pilot training school at what is now Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery
• Locating the first North American automobile manufacturing facility for Hyundai in Montgomery
• The local chambers in Bessemer, Birmingham, Brewton, Demopolis, Mobile, Montgomery, Mount Vernon and Tuscaloosa all contributed to help build the headquarters for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
• Building the booming space industry in Huntsville
• Bringing America’s first “Wave Pool” to Point Mallard Park in Decatur
• Forming what is now the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama in 1937 as representatives from local chambers of commerce united to “foster the commercial, industrial, and recreational welfare of the state”
• Helping land Mercedes-Benz U.S. International as Alabama’s first automotive plant
• Since 2012, through partnerships and the leadership of local chambers of commerce, economic and community development activity in Alabama has attracted more than $36 billion in investment and more than 120,000 jobs
• Helping develop the famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail to 11 trail sites, 26 courses, and 468 incredible holes.
• Raised funds for the famous Vulcan Statue to display at The World’s Fair
• In 2003, created the first joint partnership between local chambers of commerce (CCAA) and the state chamber (BCA), with the establishment of The Partnership.

As a chamber member or citizen of a community benefiting from the work of your local chamber of commerce, your money, how and where you get to work, how the country or this state was settled, even possibly the existence of this country as we know it has something to do with the chambers of the past. This remarkable history provides us with great hope for the future of our country and this great state.

Thank you to the chamber of commerce, the professional staff and volunteer leaders that work every day to make our communities great places to live, work and play. October 14-18, 2019, is Chamber of Commerce Week in Alabama. Please take a moment to celebrate the success of chambers in Alabama as we look with eyes of anticipation to what is to come.

Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to take a closer look at our chamber of commerce. We work very hard for you throughout the year and hope you will partner with us for a stronger city and business community. For more information, please contact Sandra McGuire, Executive Director, at 205.699.5001.