Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce



	The Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce is the principal business-driven leadership organization responsible for fostering the economic growth and development of the Little Rock Region to ensure that business and industry may operate profitably and enhance the earning opportunities and quality of life for every citizen.

	Founded in 1866, the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce has provided business leadership in nearly every major area development for the past 140 years. A private organization, funded by business and organization members’ annual investment, the Chamber boasts over 1,800 members with approximately 150,000 employees throughout Central Arkansas. The Chamber’s state of the art headquarters, opened in December 2000, is considered the finest facility of its kind in the nation. Ironically, the building sits exactly one block east of the Chamber’s original, 1866 meeting place.

	“In 1866 the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce was organized with Col. Dudley E. Jones, president, and the late Henry W. Wilson, secretary. The initial meeting was held in the grocery store of the late Col. W. S. Oliver, on the east side of Main between Markham and Second. Rooms were secured in the Ditter building on the southwest corner of Markham and Rock Streets. Later the organization met in a room on West Markham.” – George R. Browne, Secretary, Written for W. W. Dickinson, Past President, Little Rock Board of Trade (1900 or 1901). (more)