Johnson City-Washington County Area Chamber of Commerce

Biography

From 1885 to 1915 Johnson City civic and business leaders founded a number of organizations which promoted the town and its commerce. On July 6, 1915, the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce met for the first time, accepting as its charge the promotion of business, industry and trade in the Johnson City area. Amzi Smith, president of Watauga Electric Company, was the chamber's first president, and Thomas I. Boone, the first secretary-manager. The chamber's office was located at 111 Tipton Street. In its early years, the chamber focused on attracting industry to the region. During the 1920s the chamber cooperated with business and civic leaders in Elizabethton, Tennessee to win the location of the German-owned American Bemberg and American Glanzstoff to the Sycamore Shoals region of Elizabethton. Over the years the chamber has expanded its activities to include promotion of tourism, community development projects and recreational activities. The chamber became known as the Johnson City-Washington County Area Chamber of Commerce in the 1970s, but at present is known as the Chamber of Commerce representing Johnson City, Jonesborough and Washington County. The chamber moved into its current office on East Market Street in 1980.

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