The Great American Business Tradition

 The first Chamber of Commerce was founded in Marseilles, France in 1599.

In the United States, Chambers of Commerce preceded the American Revolution.

Around 1770 the first Chamber of Commerce was founded for the State of New York to rally against the Stamp Act of 1765.

In 1773, the first local Chamber of Commerce was formed in Charleston, South Carolina. By 1890 the number of local Chambers increased to forty. These early Chambers were associations of tradesman organized TO PROTECT AND PROMOTE COMMERCE.

The emergence of the Chamber as a true community organization came much later as businessmen began to realize that their own prosperity depended on the development of a prosperous community.

In the 50's and 60's many Chambers placed a major emphasis on industrial recruitment and job creation activities.

Today there are over 5,000 Chambers of Commerce in the U.S.

In the last 35 years Chambers of Commerce have expanded their role to become more involved in city development, urban renewal and planning, while still maintaining the original mission of promoting and protecting commerce.

We invite you to become part of the Great American Business Tradition by joining the Livonia Chamber of Commerce!