Chamber of Commerce: Chamber works as region's business advocate

Sonja Chasteen is business assistance manager for Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Springfield region has grown dramatically over the past century business booming, population soaring and citizens working for the betterment of their community. The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has been right at the heart of change and growth for the last 84 years, acting as the business advocate of the region.

During its decades of service, the chamber's mission statement has described its efforts: "To serve as the principal advocate for business in partnership with the community; support and assist existing businesses; act as the primary catalyst in promoting the economic health of the Springfield area, stimulating jobs and improving the quality of life." In recent years, issues have revolved around economic and regional development, work force demands and center-city resurgence. Public education, transportation, creation and development of the Partnership Industrial Centers, and business attraction and assistance have all been part of key chamber initiatives.

These priorities are the reason the chamber exists. As early as 1871, the Springfield Board of Trade focused on business and industrial activities. By 1910, the Jobbers and Manufacturers Association took center stage. Then, in 1919, business leaders formed the Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

The formation of the chamber of commerce served to unite the area's business organizations and was described in a chamber of commerce bulletin as "the biggest piece of constructive community upbuilding that ever occurred in southwest Missouri."

The financial lifeblood of the chamber came from dues paid by member businesses and that is still crucial today. According to the June 1919 edition of the chamber of commerce bulletin, the first membership campaign conducted over the first three months of the organization's existence netted 1,132 members. Another membership campaign was held the following year. An excerpt from the 1920 campaign edition of the chamber bulletin is a bit harsh by today's standards, but demonstrates the passion felt by the founders of the organization. The bulletin read, "the membership campaign will sort the sheep from the goats, so that the people will know who the men are who are willing to make their all in Springfield and give nothing in return. On which side do you stand?"

Forefront issues in the chamber's early years were a road-bond proposition, organizing the Ozark Stock Show, holding "Welcome Home" celebrations for soldiers and sailors and the Ozarks' Poultry Show. The chamber was also involved in organizing a health conference, helping pass a school-tax levy, weighing in on a telephone rate controversy, attracting conventions to Springfield, fighting a prohibitive fish license bill that had been before the state legislature, and developing an advertising campaign to encourage renewed building activity and public improvements in Springfield.

In 1926, the chamber added an airport committee to its organization. The vision of the committee was credited as providing Springfield "a prominent place in the world of air travel" and "made it possible for Springfield to have in operation a municipal airport a year before other cities in Missouri had established one."

Of course, much has changed in our community during the last 84 years. Springfield continues to grow and prosper, and the chamber's position in the community has evolved with the region.

The chamber's offices, originally housed in a building on the corner of Jefferson and Walnut, moved to a brand new home at 320 N. Jefferson in 1979. In 1996, the"Building the Future Campaign" paved the way for the chamber's relocation to the John Q. Hammons Enterprise Center.

Today, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce remains a private, voluntary, not-for-profit organization of business and professional people dedicated to improving the economic environment of the Springfield area. Nearly 2,000 members strong, the chamber represents both large and small businesses totaling more than 95,000 area employees. Organizations with 25 or fewer employees comprise 80 percent of the total membership making small business a priority to the chamber and the community. The chamber's strength lies in the number and diversity of its member investors. A board of directors continues to represent member businesses and govern chamber activities, with the support of a full-time professional staff.

And, like it was at the beginning, the chamber of commerce works to remain at the heart of the Springfield region's business community.