Kansas Chamber of Commerce (KCC) is a statewide business and industrial coalition in the state of

Kansas Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the ...

History

KCC was founded in 1924 by representatives of 40 local chambers of commerce, who met in

Hutchinson, Kansas Hutchinson is the largest city and county seat in Reno County, Kansas, United States, and located on the Arkansas River. It has been home to salt mines since 1887, thus its nickname of "Salt City", but locals call it "Hutch". As of the 2020 cen ...

. The founders focused on improving the state's highways. Its initial name was the Kansas Association of Chambers of Commerce.Kansas Historical Society
/ref> In 1925, it was renamed the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. The group adopted a new constitution, and expanded to also promote the development of agriculture, waterways, and natural resources; advertising Kansas and its resources; and assisting member organizations. In 1927 Chamber headquarters moved from

Kansas City, Kansas Kansas City, abbreviated as "KCK", is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas, and the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is an inner suburb of the older and more populous Kansas City, Missouri, after which it is named. As of ...

to office space in the capital of

Topeka Topeka ( ; Kansa: ; iow, Dópikˀe, script=Latn or ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the seat of Shawnee County. It is along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, in northeast Kansas, in the Central Un ...

for proximity to Kansas legislators. The chamber created a number of committees in 1930: agriculture; industry; tourist travel; advertising and publicity; research and conservation; forestation and recreation; and education. The group changed its name to the Kansas State Chamber of Commerce in 1938; it adopted the name Kansas Association of Commerce and Industry in 1972. In 1987, it took the name Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It 2004, it returned to its 1925 name, Kansas Chamber of Commerce.

Mission statement

The Kansas Chamber of Commerce "is to continually strive to improve the economic climate for the benefit of every business and citizen and to safeguard our system of free, competitive enterprise. Join us in making Kansas the best state in America to do business."Kansas Chamber of Commerce
/ref> The chamber says it aims to represent the interests of small, medium, and large employers from all industry sectors. It strives to build meaningful coalitions and collaborative partnerships that influence Kansas legislation, according to the organization. Its annual legislative agenda is based upon member input. Major programs under the Kansas Chamber Education Foundation include the Kansas Retail Council, Kansas Manufacturing Council, and Leadership Kansas. It also has a Chamber Political Action Committee which focuses on recruiting, supporting, and endorsing candidates who are committed to the free-enterprise system and support Kansas Chamber policy objectives. .

Board of directors

The Kansas Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is composed of members around the

state of Kansas Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the ...

and represent various industries and professions. They oversee the operations of the organization.

References

External links

Official Website
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History of Kansas 1924 establishments in Kansas