In September 1924, the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce was chartered by a group of businessmen in the community. The Chamber will celebrate 100 years representing business in Wilson County and working for the betterment of the community with the opening of a newly constructed replica of the chamber building in Fiddler’s Grove on the Wilson County Fair Grounds property. It will be open to those attending the upcoming Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair happening August 15 through 24, 2024.
“We wanted to make sure that we could have that happen during the Fair because we felt like a lot of people would want to join us [in celebrating],” Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Melanie Minter told the Lebanon Democrat.
Located across from the Bay’s Southern Bread building, the replica Chamber of Commerce building will sport front and back porches, as well as, displays celebrating the accomplishments of the 98 presidents and chairmen of the board who have led the way. Past presidents have even donated funds to complete the building.
Over the years, the Chamber office has been located in a number of different places. It was originally located in the arcade building found on the southeast side of Lebanon’s downtown Square. From there it moved to West Market Street, and then to its current location at 149 Public Street.
The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce has a long history of helping its members build prosperity while aiding in the building of a better quality of life through its work in the community and its various programs. Currently, education-supporting programs include Books from Birth, Tennessee Scholars and their Teacher Grant Program; their Economic Development arm addresses workforce development and livability; Government Relations provides leadership training and the development of better private-public communication; and they promote and develop local community events.
From as early as 1768, when the New York Chamber of Commerce was formed, business leaders in various communities have banded together to work for the betterment of their cities and towns and to strengthen their local economy. Today, representatives from the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce serve on boards and in leadership roles affecting everything from agriculture and industry to disaster relief, education and the arts.
Beginning with 60 members who paid $60 each to join — about $1,100 in today’s economy, which was quite an investment for the time — these business leaders believed in the mission of the Chamber of Commerce and it has endured. Two of the first members were Cumberland University and The Lebanon Democrat, which are still members, according to The Good News Exchange.
Those early members of the chamber focused on many things that are still of concern today, including better schools, transportation, and growth and economic development, although how the chamber approaches these issues has certainly changed over the last 100 years.
“The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce still has the same values from the past while being innovators to assist in making a difference for our community in the future,” Minter said to The Good News Exchange.
Minter hopes visitors to the Fair from all over will visit the Chamber display at the Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair. She wants them to see how the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce has contributed to the growth, development and prosperity of the area.
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