Friday, October 2, 2015
Chambers of commerce has existed in the United States for over 200 years. Each chamber works to attract new residents, visitors, and businesses to their community and to enhance local economic prosperity by promoting business networks and a positive business climate.
The business owners in the City of Troy formed the Troy Chamber of Commerce in 1959. Troy Chamber leaders quickly implemented programs to support the growing business community in the young city and to recognize the efforts of entrepreneurs. During the years of rapid development, the Chamber hosted an annual beautification awards luncheon to recognize exceptionally attractive commercial developments. Awards were given in five categories: office high rise, office low rise, industrial, commercial, and buildings that were at least five years old. In 1969 the Chamber also initiated the tradition of selecting a Distinguished Citizen of the Year. Norman Barnard was the first recipient of the award. Today Leadership Troy, another nonprofit organization in the City, carries on this tradition.
The Troy Chamber continues to provide a wide range of networking opportunities for businessmen and women throughout the year. These include
- Business Development Groups
- Morning J.A.M. (Just A Minute) sessions
- Evening business mixers
- Monthly luncheons
- The Nonprofit Network
- Oakland Chamber Network (OCN) mixer
- Annual events including a Mini Business Expo, Simply Shopping, Holiday Luncheon, Non-Profit Management Conference, Economic Update, and the State of the City breakfast.
To find additional information on these and other programs sponsored by the Chamber go to www.troychamber.org
This month watch for 365 Stories that highlight the current and past Executive Directors of the Troy Chamber of Commerce.
Sources:
Troy Historical Society Archive
To commemorate the City of Troy’s 60th Anniversary in 2015, we will publish a different story each day that highlights a person, discovery, or event that occurred locally, regionally, nationally, or even globally between 1955 and 2015 and that helped shape our lives and our community. We will try to post stories on important anniversary dates, but we also realize that dates are less critical than content and context. We will include the facts related to controversial stories, allowing our readers to form their own opinions. We invite you to read and comment on the stories. Your suggestions for topics are also welcome and can be posted on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TroyHistoricVillage. You can also email stories or ideas to the 365 Story Editor at ed@thvmail.org.
