ABOUT THE CHAMBER

The organization was founded as the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce on July 11, 1904 when "a mass meeting of citizens of the town of Rocky Mount was held in the Mayor’s office." From this, a committee was appointed to nominate a Board of Directors and to submit a constitution and bylaws. The first Chairman of the newly formed Chamber was Mr. J.C. Braswell. At the time, the population of Rocky Mount was 3,400, and The Chamber staff was comprised solely of volunteers.

Many of the early Chamber programs were agriculturally oriented, but in 1940, the emphasis shifted to industrial development. A narrative by William E. Bobbitt dated August 1, 1949, described the goals and objectives of The Chamber in words that mirror today’s Chamber Mission Statement: "The Chamber of Commerce is constantly and continuously working for the agricultural, cultural, industrial, and civic development of Rocky Mount and its two adjoining counties of Nash and Edgecombe,". . .

In keeping with that commitment to serve the broader geographic area, The Chamber changed its name to The Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce in August 1978.

Since that time, the organization has embarked on an aggressive agenda addressing issues in Member Services, Education, Business Development, Business Recruitment, Welfare Reform, Government Relations, and Community Investment.

In 2004, The Chamber celebrated its 100th year of service to the area with a "Night of Notables" featuring several esteemed native sons and daughters. The program and other yearlong promotions brought statewide, regional and national exposure to the organization.

Today’s Chamber membership is 750 strong, and the organization boasts a 14-member Executive Committee, a 27-member Board of Directors and a staff of seven. The "Twin County" region of Edgecombe and Nash County that is served by the Chamber has a population of some 145,000 people.