A Brief History
The St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce was organized on October 2, 1939 with 104 members, and was known as the St. Clairsville Board of Trade. The charter Board of Directors were J. Grove Amos, O.O. Bethel, W.B. Chance, Martin L. Crowen, Harold Henderson, Faris H. Johnston, Roy W. Lewis, A.A. Mills, and Issac T. Newline. The charter Executive Committee consisted of Lewis as President, Mills as Treasurer, and Cowen as Secretary. These individuals also were the founding directors/administrators of the Chamber.
The first Chamber Office was located at Lewis' office, but was then moved to Cowen's law office located in St. Clairsville. The Chamber was incorporated on August 31, 1983 and has been located in numerous areas of St. Clairsville's center city. It is currently housed at 116 West Main Street.
The Chamber currently has 300+ members and its rapid growth is directly related to high growth volume of retail and professional business in the St. Clairsville area. The Board of Directors, currently a 15-member group, oversees the daily operation, controls Chamber property, is responsible for its finances, and sets policy for the membership. The daily activities of the Chamber are furthered by an Executive Director and an Admistrator.
Mission
The St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization of businesses and professionals with the primary focus of supporting and promoting busniess, industry, and the local community. The Chamber acts as spokesperson for the area businesses and professional community and translates the group thinking of its members into action. Our goal is to maintain and strenghten a sound and healthy business to market themselves through the Chamber, networking with their fellow Chamber members and through referrals to Chamber member buisnesses made by the Chamber office to the many calls from the community. We also host monthly luncheon meetings featuring speakers on business-relevant topics, business after hours events where member businesses invite their fellow Chamber members to a party to showcase their business.
In addition to member-focused actives, the Chamber also participates in and sponsors community events including student academic achievent awards, political forums, and the annual St. Clairsville Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade.
