The golden anniversary of any organization is a notable milestone. And the North Country Chamber of Commerce certainly has earned high praise as it celebrates that 100-year mark.
The organization started at the Plattsburgh Chamber of Commerce in 1912 — the same year the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was formed. In the beginning, the chamber was mostly focused on the City of Plattsburgh. Research by Vice President for Economic Development Sue Matton shows that issues in those formative years included the need for adequate water and street lighting at Underwood Paper Mills and the Plattsburgh Wall Paper Co., an industrial and agricultural exhibit at the D&H Railroad station and a homecoming demonstration in 1919 for Clinton County soldiers returning from World War I.
Over the decades, the chamber's areas of concern and its reach have been substantially expanded. The main mission of a chamber of commerce is to serve its business members. Where that, at one time, might have meant planning special events — such as the Irishman of the Year breakfast that has become the hallmark of local celebrations — the needs have a harder edge now.
The chamber has forged agreements on health insurance and other employer concerns, lobbied for or against legislation that affects businesses and lured companies and tourists by showing them the best of the North Country.
The vision to see beyond Plattsburgh has been one of the most important elements in the chamber's growth in size and stature. One by one, the Plattsburgh group has wrapped other chambers into its blanket in recent years: Indian Lake, Saranac Lake, Whiteface Region, Stony Creek, Gore Mountain, Schroon Lake, Lake Placid, Malone, Adirondack-Speculator, the Essex County Business Council, Ticonderoga, Tupper Lake and North Warren.
The resulting North Country Chamber of Commerce, with more than 4,200 members, gives those smaller organizations a more powerful voice and improved benefits. North Country is one of the five largest chambers in the state — that fact alone would demand attention, but the chamber has also earned respect throughout New York.
The chamber has, along with the entire community, faced immense challenges over the years in blows to the economy — in modern times, the closure of Plattsburgh Air Force Base, the years when the exchange rate discouraged Canadians from visiting and the recent Great Recession.
But the chamber has always been there to help the businesses in the region recover from downturns and stand up to obstacles.
Garry Douglas, who has been president since December 1992, has shown tremendous energy, leadership and vision. He has been the demanding voice that we need in Washington and Albany, raising concerns and encouraging action.
He is flanked by a hard-working, enthusiastic and creative chamber staff, all of whom have contributed to the organization's stature.
The chamber celebrated its 100th anniversary with an awards banquet dubbed "A Night to Remember," but we acknowledge the North Country Chamber of Commerce for giving this region a century to remember.
