Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce to celebrate125 years

In 1883, a group of business leaders joined together on Main Street in Lynchburg — the city’s hub of trade and industry at the time — and organized the area’s first chamber of commerce.

That organization is now the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a gala tonight at Lynchburg College.

The group’s name, membership base and activities have changed over the years. But Chamber President Rex Hammond said the basics are the same.

“The motivation then is the same as the motivation today. Businesses realize that their voice is louder if they speak collectively than if they speak individually,” Hammond said.

“By pooling their funds and their ideas and their energy, they can accomplish much for a community,” he said.

Art Middleton, the chamber’s executive director in the 1970s, said companies see the chamber as a way to help develop a healthy community, which is vital for business.

The chamber was organized with 50 members in 1883. Dues were set at $10 for individuals and $20 for businesses, Hammond said.

The chamber of commerce’s first office was a Main Street building belonging to its first president, James T. Williams.

Details are few about the early chamber. There isn’t even a list of the original members.

W. Asbury Christian’s book, “Lynchburg and its People,” says that early on the chamber raised money to start a cotton mill, which for various reasons didn’t get off the ground.

The chamber successfully raised money to build a “Manufacturers Loft Building to house small industries” and fill that building, according to a 1930 city directory.

In the first 60 years of the century, the chamber also raised money for Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center, Lynchburg Baseball Club (now the Hillcats), and helped develop the Plaza.

Over the years, the chamber moved to two more offices downtown. In 1964, the organization moved to its current building at 2015 Memorial Ave.

“The Lynchburg chamber had a strong, good reputation throughout the state, especially in economic development — at that time, industrial development,” said Middleton, who worked for the state chamber of commerce before coming to the local one in 1969.

Middleton said the late ’60s and the ’70s were a time of transition for the chamber. With about 600 members, it reorganized to focus more on the needs of businesses. Small businesses began to join more often, he said.

Hammond said the chamber has had a hand in starting several organizations in the community.

The Region 2000 partnership, United Way of Central Virginia, and Friday Cheers events (now sponsored by Lynch’s Landing) have roots in the chamber’s programs.

The Lynchburg Regional Airport has been one of the chamber’s priorities for years.

Airport manager Mark Courtney said it’s because they see the importance of transportation to business development.

“They’ve been very invaluable to me in … providing hands-on assistance in meetings with airlines,” Courtney said.

Having businesses involved shows airlines really how much they can gain by having flights in and out of Lynchburg, he said.

The chamber’s efforts over the years have gotten the attention of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Raymond Towle, a vice president with the U.S. chamber, said the Lynchburg Regional Chamber is one of only 306 that are nationally accredited.

There are 6,000 local chambers, Towle said.

It is also one of just 41 the U.S. Chamber ranks with five stars.

Towle did not have information on the average age of chambers of commerce. Several announce 100-year anniversaries each year, he said.

Hammond said the chamber has served as many people’s vehicle for helping the community, and it continues to do so, even for stiff competitors who serve together in the chamber.

“In our boardroom, they’re all there for the same reason: for the betterment of the community,” Hammond said. “You really see those rivalries dissolve.”

chamber of commerce facts

Year Founded: 1883

Members then: 50

Members now: 1,074

Longest Continuous Members: Schewel Furniture, L.E. Litchford — 82 years.

Location in 1883: 135 Main St.

Current location: 2015 Memorial Ave.

Planned new location: Murray Place, off Candler’s Mountain Road (formerly Billy Joe’s restaurant)