Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce

The chamber of commerce is a private, voluntary, nonprofit – 501 (c)(6) – business organization dedicated to improving the economic environment of a community and fostering the development of business growth and prosperity. Today’s chamber of commerce focuses its efforts on four major areas:
•    Economic Development
•    Community Development
•    Public Policy
•    Membership Services
This corporation of voluntary membership invests time and money to carry forward programs that are relevant to members’ needs and which affect the orderly growth and development of the community. It is the catalytic agency that brings together all of the forces, both public and private, through which common goals can be resolved.

The basic mission of a chamber is to create and promote a climate where business can operate in a productive and profitable manner.

History of Chambers of Commerce

Chambers of commerce got their start in France in the 16th century and in the United States eight years before the Revolutionary War. Today, nearly every city and town across the nation has some form of organized chamber of commerce. While many chambers have their basic roots in the “town booster” type organization, most chambers have a long history of involvement in economic development and serving as a business advocate.

In the 1950s and 1960s, chambers placed major emphasis on economic activities. As we entered the 1970s with huge problems of inadequate housing, schools, community services and high unemployment, the new role for chambers of commerce expanded to socioeconomic concerns.

During the 1990s chambers started the process of reevaluating their role and focusing more on members and their specific needs. The reasons businesses invested in chambers of commerce were no longer connected to some civic obligation, but rather to a tangible, definable product, service and/or action program having a direct impact on a business community’s bottom line.

As chambers enter the 21st century, they are asking “What kind of community do we want ours to be?” and “How can the chamber be the organization that will lead the community to economic prosperity and success?” Chambers are more active in government affairs, realizing that many of the problems facing them can best be dealt within the legislative arena. As the leading association of business firms within the community, chambers have great power and influence through the factual information they provide and the ability to keep chamber members motivated to communicate regularly with their legislators.