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Following
the establishment of Las Vegas as a planned city in 1905, the emergence
of chambers of commerce nationally as a voice of business saw merchants
form a greater Las Vegas Chamber prior to World War II. Following
the War and the chartering of North Las Vegas as a separate city in
1946, it was not many years until the smaller city's merchants felt
they would be better served with their own chamber. Thus, in 1957,
Articles of Incorporation were filed and the North Las Vegas Chamber of
Commerce formed.
As
in other chambers, members (usually businesses, large and small) and
some individuals, paid dues, elected officers and began to promote
their community and its businesses. By the early 1960s the
chamber occupied a 1900 sq. ft. building on East Lake Mead Boulevard
that had once been, in part, the small city library. Remodeling
by member contractors occurred in the 1970's and chamber membership
climbed to into the 250 range by the early 1980's.
In
the 1980's, the Chamber was active in the local legislative matters,
did an annual holiday parade each December, honored nearby Nellis Air
Force Base personnel via dinners, an annual golf tournament and bowling
tournament, held an annual planning retreat out of town each
year, sponsored a large hot air balloon three day event, and involved
members in a variety of social and economic development
activities.
By
1990, membership climbed to peak of 520. A slowdown in the economy and
other factors saw membership decline to under 400 by 1995, but the
growth of North Las Vegas and interest in the business community saw a
resurgence of members to over 450 in early 1998.
In 1994, chamber
leaders established a Chamber Community Foundation as a 501-c-3 charity. In mid 1997 it  completed
construction of a new 9,400 sq. ft. Foundation office building across
from city hall and municipal buildings in downtown North Las Vegas, and
space was fully leased by May,1998. Proceeds from the Foundation
building will support charitable activities in and around North Las
Vegas in increasing amounts as its mortgage is retired in 13 years.
A
broad range of activities characterize the current chamber, one of nine
in the metropolitan area. Look North magazine publishes monthly, a
Military Affairs committee sponsors the annual Base Picnic at nearby
Nellis AFB, a Small Business committee produces an annual Bus Tour of
North Las Vegas and a Fall Business Exposition. In 2000,
Government Affairs events, a Foundation Golf Fundraiser,
Foundation Galaxy of Northern Stars Dinner Gala, seminars, a Bus Tour
of NLV are some Chamber and Foundation features.
Coupled
with a monthly luncheon with speaker, monthly Good Morning North Las
Vegas Breakfast with speakers, and frequent member networking mixers,
the Chamber offers a full range of services to members and community. |
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