Find out just a few of the benefits of being a Chamber member,
the information below gives you an overview of the Chamber and it's purposes.
If you feel that you would like to be a part of this growing group of businesses and individuals that are
dedicated to the social, civic and economic prosperity of Carroll County,
contact us and we'll set up a meeting for you to join in.

The members of the Chamber of Commerce would like to present this information to anyone that is not aware of the functions and reasons for the Chamber and about the history and founders of the only group of people that work for the entirety of Carroll County.

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce is an action agency designed to meet community needs.  It is a voluntary organization of individuals and businesses who band together to advance the commercial, financial, industrial, agricultural and civic interest of all of Carroll County.  It is a public clearinghouse, a public relations counselor, a legislative representative at the local, state and national levels of government an information bureau and a research and promotion medium.

The organization is run by a Board of Directors, nominated under the by-laws in such a way that each area of the county is represented proportionally and elected by the Chamber's members.  The Board, serving without pay, sets the policies for the Chamber.  The administrative head of the Chamber is the Executive Vice-President.  He is a full-time employee of the Chamber and is an expert in chamber activities.  He is paid, as is a full-time secretary.  The Executive Vice-President carries out the policies established by the Board under the supervision of the President of the Chamber.  

The activity of the Chamber is virtually unlimited, depending on the needs of our community and the desire and ability of the Chamber to meet those needs.  The primary -- and most important -- goal of our Chamber is UNITY.  The need for all the citizens of Carroll County to unite in a common cause of progress is imperative if our county is to survive and grow in today's competitive climate.  We believe that the organization that can most efficiently effect unity for Carroll County is a county-wide chamber of commerce, active in all areas of interest of the county:  Improving agricultural potential and developing markets - promoting a better business climate - increasing the economic position and standard of living for all our citizens - to provide a clearinghouse for community ideas, activities and information - to translate community improvement ideas into action and to always be of the most service to the most people in the county.

Action groups -- the committees -- are the backbone of the Chamber.  They are the units that accomplish the organization's goals and objectives.  They are the units that make the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce sufficiently flexible to serve all the interests of all the various areas of the county.  The needs of our community and policies of the Chamber determine the kinds and numbers of these action groups.

We all do!  Financed partly through endowments from the County Court and each incorporated town or city within the county and on a voluntary basis by it's members consisting of firms and individuals, each of us -- every citizen of Carroll County -- contributes to this Chamber.  Chamber membership is an investment in the present and future of the individual's and community's welfare.

All Of Us!  Any firm or individual sharing a common interest in community improvement is eligible for membership.  If you are interested in joining this group of progressive and community minded citizens you may do so by contacting one of our Board of Director members or the Chamber office at 731-986-4664.

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1981 after two men - James Washburn of McKenzie and Bob Greene of Huntingdon - had a vision to have a county-wide Chamber instead of individual city chambers.  Washburn was the publisher of The McKenzie Banner and Greene was the publisher of the Tennessee Republican newspaper based in Huntingdon.  Both men died within four years of founding the Chamber.

In 1981, Washburn and Greene organized the initial meeting of county leaders at Freda's Restaurant in Huntingdon.  All municipalities were represented at that meeting of 23 persons.  The main purpose of the meeting was 'unity'.

The group decided to name a chairman, Walter Butler, and appoint representatives of each town to look into organizing and chartering a Chamber.

In February, 1981, the group met at the Carroll County Civic Center and the proposed charter was read and approved.  A Board of Directors was elected with Reggie Lawrence of McKenzie elected president.  It was decided that each of the towns would pay pro-rata membership fees based on population.  At that time, Huntingdon's active Chamber dissolved to support the county chamber.

In the early days, the meetings were held at the Carroll County Board of Education building. In September, 1981, a membership drive was conducted with 131 members signing up. A temporary office was opened in McKenzie in a vacant office in the McKenzie Banner building.  Retired McKenzie School Superintendent, W.O. Warren served as the part-time executive with Betty Haugen serving as part-time secretary.

The office was moved to the third floor of the County Court House in Huntingdon.  Retired minister and Huntingdon Mayor, Jessie Pinckley served as part-time executive.

LaRenda Scarbrough of Huntingdon was selected as the first full-time executive.  Scarlet Barger of Trezevant served as her assistant.  The office was relocated to rental space in the former Production Credit building in Huntingdon.  Soon after the move, the building was sold and the Chamber had to find a new home.  The office was relocated to Main Street, Huntingdon adjacent to the former Tennessee Republican newspaper office.  The former Chamber office is now occupied by Merle Norman Cosmetics.  At that location, William Earl O'Neill of McLemoresville built the conference table, the chairs were purchased at salvage stores and Mr. Greenway - owner of G&C of Atwood donated the computer.  The desk made by Mr. O'Neill now sits in the front lobby of the new headquarters.

Bill Hayworth served as executive director for six years, ending his tenure in early January 1997.

Brad Hurley was appointed to serve as interim director in January, 1997, while a search for a new director was to be conducted.  That search was never conducted, as the Board of Directors was pleased with Hurley's leadership.

The Chamber built its new headquarters in 1997.  The County of Carroll and Carroll Bank & Trust donated the land, the Town of Huntingdon forgave the cost of utility connections and many other persons pledged contributions to make the 3,000 square foot, $300,000 building a reality.  A total of approximately $200,000 was pledged over a three-year period.  Banks throughout the county worked together to provide the financing and most additionally made generous contributions.  The permanent home of the Chamber gives more stable presence while providing a location to hold many Chamber functions and community meetings.  The theme of the Chamber that year was 'Building For The Future'.  Where the building is situated was once the home to a radio station and paint store, both were destroyed by fire in the 1980's.

In 1998, the Chamber established another county-wide initiative to recruit new industry.  With passage of a one-half cent sales tax, each of the municipalities and the county pledged to fund a pro-rata share of a $100,000 economic development program.  That program has been successful with the landing of Norandal, Behlen and KimRo and additions to Associated Rubber, Bill Sills Sportswear, Republic Builders, New Generations Furniture, Nestaway and Colorite (Precision Porous Pipe).  These additions were in cooperation with various industrial boards and state and federal agencies.

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