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Chamber of Commerce (view source)
Revision as of 21:58, November 19, 2009
, 21:58, November 19, 2009expand
A '''Chamber of Commerce''' is a local private organization that supports civic activism and economic growth in the community. Its members are local businesses and not-for profit organizations (such as hospitals and universities). The Chamber of Commerce of New York is the oldest such organization in America; it was based on the British model and its original charter came from King George III in 1768. Most commercial cities around the world have one or more Chambers, often oriented to export trade.
A '''Chamber of Commerce''' is a local private organization that supports civic activism and economic growth in the community. Its members are local businesses and not-for profit organizations (such as hospitals and universities). It represents "[[Main Street]]" (that is, locally owned businesses, but also includes branches of national chains.
Typical activities include industrial and commercial development and expansion, and dealing with problems connected with agriculture, transportation, publicity, labor force upgrading and education, charity solicitation (community chests), regulation and promotion of trade, and commercial arbitration. They sponsor statistical surveys and run websites promoting the city as an ideal location for potential business relocation. The chamber is usually linked closely to local politics, with overlapping membership with other civic organizations such as Rotary. The chambers often work with state government on issues of taxation and revenue, as well as subsidies for business that relocate there (or remain there with a subsidy, such as reduced taxes). Above all the chamber is a booster for the community.
==Origins==
The Chamber of Commerce of New York is the oldest such organization in America; it was based on the British model and its original charter came from King George III in 1768. Most commercial cities around the world have one or more Chambers, often oriented to export trade.
In many older cities such as Boston, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Cincinnati, the chamber originated from a local Board of Trade. The boards began in the early 19th century with the goal of regulating or supervising trading activities.
In newer cities the chamber was originally a group of taxpaying businessmen--a taxpayers' league or a Civic Association--united for defense against labor unions or some other threat, or to foster some civic interest.
==National Chamber==
==National Chamber==
The US Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1912, due primarily to
The US Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1912, due primarily to
the work of key government officials more than to the business community itself. The officials were concerned with expanding American trade overseas, and sought a mechanism which might bring a closer working relationship between merchants and manufacturers and public authorities. In particular these officials were located in the new Department of Commerce and Labor and its Bureau of Manufacturers, and were themselves engaged in a bureaucratic rivalry of their own with the State Department over control of the commercial attache service and other overseas economic activities.<ref> Richard Hume Werking, "Bureaucrats, Businessmen, and Foreign Trade: The Origins of the United States Chamber of Commerce," ''Business History Review'' 1978 52(3): 321-341,</ref>
the work of key government officials more than to the business community itself. The officials were concerned with expanding American trade overseas, and sought a mechanism which might bring a closer working relationship between merchants and manufacturers and public authorities. In particular these officials were located in the new Department of Commerce and Labor and its Bureau of Manufacturers, and were themselves engaged in a bureaucratic rivalry of their own with the State Department over control of the commercial attaché service and other overseas economic activities.<ref> Richard Hume Werking, "Bureaucrats, Businessmen, and Foreign Trade: The Origins of the United States Chamber of Commerce," ''Business History Review'' 1978 52(3): 321-341,</ref>
==Politics==
==Politics==
Established in 1912, the national body typically endorses Republican candidates that advocate a pro-business, pro-job growth agenda. It is dominated by large national corporations.
Established in 1912, the national body typically endorses Republican candidates that advocate a pro-business, pro-job growth agenda. It is dominated by large national corporations.