The Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven organization enhancing the economic vitality of Southern Essex County by fostering educational initiatives and business resources, legislative advocacy, and marketing and networking opportunities.
History
The Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce began in 1912 as the Lynn Chamber of Commerce (LCC). The LCC was the brainchild of then prominent businessman Ralph S. Bauer who also helped form the Lynn Board of Trade which then morphed into the LCC.
Bauer, who served as LCC president for several years, was a Massachusetts politician who served as the thirty-eighth Mayor of Lynn. In addition, Bauer organized the Essex County Associated Boards of Trade, lead the fight against increased fares on the Bay State railway, he was “the big man” in the inauguration of the White Way system in Lynn which was created to mirror the “Great White Way of Broadway in New York City, made major improvements to the downtown business district and Bauer was responsible for creating Lynn Shore Drive – “considered one of the most scenic boulevards in all of America” for its time.
Like the present day, the LCC membership was made up of big manufacturing and the smaller family-owned businesses. History echoes today’s issues as transportation, revenue taxes, permitting, signage, hours of operation and a “call for cooperation” were all issues of the day.
In the mid 1960′s, the Lynn Chamber of Commerce changed its name to the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC). At that time the LCC was expanding its business membership into the communities of Lynnfield, Nahant, and Swampscott and wanted to change its name to reflect the “area” and members which it serves.
In 2019, the chamber became the Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce, in order to reflect a more regional presence.