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Alabama is home to some of the nation’s most vibrant and thriving business communities. To recognize and celebrate this, we have compiled a list of the top chambers of commerce in the state of Alabama. These organizations are dedicated to supporting local businesses and promoting economic growth and are considered among the most influential and effective in Alabama.

To determine our rankings, we conducted extensive research on chambers of commerce throughout the state, considering both quantitative and qualitative data. We also reached out to chamber members, local business leaders, and community members to gather their perspectives on the chambers they were most impressed by.

It is important to note that our rankings are not meant to be a definitive list of Alabama’s best chambers of commerce but rather a reflection of the chambers that we believe are making the most significant impact in their communities. This article will be a valuable resource for business owners and community members looking to get involved with their local area. So, join us as we take a closer look at the top chambers of commerce in Alabama and discover what makes them so great.

Check out the complete list below, and congratulations to all winners.

And The Winners Are:

  1. Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce
  2. Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA)
  3. Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
  4. Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce
  5. Hartselle Chamber of Commerce
  6. Enterprise Chamber of Commerce
  7. Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce
  8. Auburn Chamber of Commerce
  9. Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce
  10. Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Centre
  11. Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce
  12. Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce
  13. Calhoun County Area Chamber and Visitor Centre
  14. South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce
  15. Madison Chamber of Commerce

1. Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce

Established in 1946, the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce has been supporting the local community and businesses for over 75 years. Their main goal is to promote and assist the business community and to organize and host citywide events for everyone to enjoy. They focus on members, community, and events, and have become a major presence in the city.

Benefits of Joining

Joining the Chamber offers many benefits such as keeping members up to date with the latest news and events taking place in Trussville, education discounts, networking opportunities, publicity and growth, and events. Additionally, the chamber is really pushing their “Shop Trussville First” initiative, which aims to keep money within the community to stimulate local growth.

The Trussville Civic Centre

The Trussville Civic Centre was set up a meeting point for community events. It is featured on the Trussville Chamber website.

Cost of Joining

Corporate members (1-5 employees) can join for $150, while individual members and seniors can join for $35 and $20, respectively. The board must approve all applications.

Where To Find The Trussville Chamber Of Commerce

2. Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA)

The Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) was established in 2009 to build greater communities in the local Birmingham region. The BBA works with hundreds of partners and acts as a dedicated resource and advocate for advancing the lives of those in the greater Birmingham region.

Economic Development

The core aim of the BBA is economic development, doing business in the community and helping people who live in the local area. The BBA supports the greater Birmingham region and covers Bib, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby, Blount, Chilton, and Walker counties.

Events and Support

The BBA hosts a huge number of events each year for the community. They also provide extensive support and experience, such as a full economic development service that looks at tax analysis, partnership connection, real estate search and help navigating the regulatory process.

Get Involved

Find out more and apply on their website.

Where Can I Find The Birmingham Business Alliance?

3. Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

You might not know but Franklin county is the official watermelon capital of the country. Every year they hold a watermelon festival which brings in crowds of around 35,000 and 50,000 people. A huge number of visitors come into the county every year which shows why the Franklin County chamber of commerce continues to think of creative ways to attract people to the region to spend money and visit local businesses.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

The Franklin County chamber of commerce takes its role seriously and provides many services to the community, including advertising and newsletters, educational opportunities, common news in business referrals. Each year they give two $500 scholarships to Franklin County graduates. Membership starts from $125 if you have 1-5 employees and the maximum you will pay is $625 if you have over 351 employees. If you are a church, an individual, civic club, or non-profit, you can join for $125, $125, $50 respectively.

Why Visit Franklin County?

Franklin County positions itself as a comfortable, safe and affordable place to live, with an abundance of outdoor activities and a thriving downtown nightlife. With the annual watermelon festival drawing thousands of visitors, it’s no wonder the Franklin County chamber of commerce continues to think of creative ways to attract people to the chamber.

4. Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce

The Leeds Area Chamber of Commerce has a significant presence in the area and each year gives out numerous awards to small businesses. They recognize the work of ‘citizen of the year’, ‘business of the year’, ‘ambassador of the year’ and ‘first responder of the year.’ They also do lots in the non-profit area and work with youth in Leeds through the ‘teen volunteer of the year’ program.

Leadership

The chamber is a completely voluntary organization and is led by Sandra Maguire, who has been the executive director for more than 16 years. They also have a team of 15 who make up their corporate ambassadors. They’re also supported by a sizable board of directors to make this a fantastic chamber of commerce.

Benefits of Joining

As soon as you join your membership will include your business listing on the website, the ability to publicize your company, monthly gatherings, connections to any new residents or businesses moving to the area, and frequent email updates from the chamber. Membership starts from 125 dollars if you have less than 10 employees.

5. Hartselle Chamber of Commerce

The Hartselle Chamber of Commerce

The Hartselle Chamber of Commerce was established in 1946 by a group of dedicated volunteers, and has been serving the local community for over 76 years! The founders’ goal was to increase job opportunities, help businesses grow, and promote an orderly expansion of the community, making the Hartselle area an even better place to work, live, and play.

The Chamber’s Mission

The Hartselle Chamber of Commerce have done an admirable job of fulfilling their original mission, and continue to strive to make the Hartselle area a great place to live, work, and play.

Membership Cost

For small businesses looking to join the Hartselle Chamber of Commerce, membership costs $130. Additionally, those looking to take a more active role in investing in the local area may become a Trackman investor, with membership up to $25,000.

6. Enterprise Chamber of Commerce

The Enterprise Chamber of Commerce was set up to advocate for its members, ensuring the local area thrives through business growth, community connection, and industry. Their mission, clearly stated on their homepage, is “to foster a prosperous climate that enhances the quality of life for the community”.

7. Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce

The Decatur-Morgan Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1931 by Barrett C Shelton. The organization is run by volunteer leadership and is intended to support political, economic, and social development in the region. The chamber boasts over 750 businesses and industries, the majority of which are small to mid-size companies.

Chamber Mission and Goals

The chamber’s mission is to make Decatur-Morgan County a better place to live, work and play. In order to achieve this mission, the chamber has created a charter focused on advocating for businesses and industries, providing helpful resources, supporting workforce development, providing leadership training, connecting people in business, and attracting and retaining new industries to the region. An executive committee has also developed a business plan to support the changing demographic of both the county and the business community.

Events and Benefits

The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber regularly hosts a number of networking events each month. Furthermore, research from the Shapiro group based out of Atlanta has found that 44% of people are more likely to think favorably of a business if they are part of the Chamber of Commerce, with 63% of people more likely to purchase goods or services from such a business. As such, the Decatur-Morgan Chamber looks to connect people with one another and to make their businesses stronger.

8. Auburn Chamber of Commerce

The Auburn Chamber of Commerce plays a crucial role in the development of Auburn City and focuses its support around three key areas:

Opportunities to Connect

The Chamber hosts a wide range of networking events every year, connecting potential business partners, friends, and associates.

Opportunities to Promote

The Chamber looks to share businesses with those in the local area and beyond. They do a variety of activities, including groundbreakings, social media, and ribbon cuttings, as well as a weekly newsletter and their welcome magazine.

Opportunities to Learn

The welcome magazine is the official community relocation publication for Auburn and Auburn University. It is a beautiful place to live, and membership starts at $355 per year for businesses with 1-5 employees. There are discounts for churches and organizations and also for retired individuals. If you work for a real estate associate, the cost is between $100 and $200 to join.

9. Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

Supporting the Whole County

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce supports the whole county including Cedar Bluff, Centre, Gaylesville, Leesburg and Sand Rock. The chamber has a huge number of members and looks after the interests of 25,000 people. The chamber is known for their huge networking opportunities and is one of the most prestigious and influential business organizations in the region.

Convenient Location

Cherokee county is a great place to live is it has a small-town environment but is within a 2-hour drive of Atlanta, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Chattanooga. They promote the county as a wonderful place to live while still being able to access big cities for meetings within a couple of hours.

Local Promotion

Local business promotion is a big deal in Cherokee County. It is highly beneficial to join the Chamber of Cherokee to become a part of this amazing community. They host a monthly breakfast, have an ‘anyone meeting’ that is open to all members, and also have membership receptions to meet fellow members at a more intimate smaller event. They also have a huge referral network and make sure to refer members to newcomers, residents, visitors, and any businesses that want to do work in the region. They also offer a 20% tuition scholarship to JSU if you are an employee or a member of the Cherokee County.

10. Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Centre

Cullman has a rich history with a strong agricultural background. It acts as a go-between between agriculture, business, and industry and has been dedicated to building a county where people want to live and thrive.

Dynamic Growth

Cullman is one of the fastest-growing communities in Alabama and is ranked number one statewide for overall economic development and expansion. It also has an excellent scheme in place which encourages people to “Think Local First” and partner with local businesses in order to reinvest money back into the community.

Excellent Healthcare

Cullman is proud of its healthcare system and the community it has built, with excellent schools and a robust economy and job-ready workforce. There are also many resources available in terms of living, shopping, eating, and where to have fun in the county.

11. Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce

The Atmore Chamber of Commerce has over 300 members that are made up of small businesses operating in the area. It is a networking and events venue that can help you grow and manage your business. It is open to membership from all businesses in the Atmore area and those who wish to do more business in the area or have a strong relationship with Atmore. It has been open for nearly 75 years, with a wide range of industries, businesses, organizations and individuals who want to see Atmore thrive.

Apply to the Atmore Chamber of Commerce

To apply to the Atmore Chamber of Commerce, visit their website at https://atmorechamber.com/membership-application/. You can also find out more by visiting the #discoveratmore hashtag.

12. Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce

Guntersville is located in northeast Alabama at the southern point of the Tennessee River. It is within 150 miles of Atlanta and 150 miles of Nashville, Tennessee. Recently chosen by “Relocate America” as one of the 100 best places to live, it’s been featured in Southern Living, Sports Illustrated and Field & Stream magazines.

The Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce

The Lake Guntersville Chamber is a non-profit membership organization that creates a strong economy in the region. They offer networking events, educational seminars and a range of programs designed to make the county an even better place to live, work and play. Currently, the chamber has 590 members and represents more than 1,200 people in the area. The chamber has been open for more than 80 years.

Benefits of Joining the Chamber

As soon as you join the chamber of commerce your business will be featured and announced on social media and in one of the weekly emails. Shop local is a big part of what they do, encouraging people to buy from local businesses. You will also receive a plaque to put up in your office and benefit from chamber-sponsored events to raise awareness of who’s doing what in the community.”

13. Calhoun County Area Chamber and Visitor Centre

Calhoun County is committed to making an impact on their local area and have a number of creative ways to spread the word about their community, such as the commemorative paver scheme. The Chamber is dedicated to helping to grow the economic development of the Calhoun County region. It provides a wealth of resources to its members and those looking to invest in the region.

Four Key Focuses of the Chamber

The Chamber focuses on four key areas: advocacy, local programs, events and connecting membership to the County. The aim is to make everyone in the community feel welcome and connected. The Chamber also runs their own podcast called the Green Business program.

Benefits of Joining the Calhoun Chamber

The Chamber puts on various networking events each month, such as lunch and learns, business after-hours, and coffee with the chamber. Additionally, the Chamber organizes several events, such as the Small Business Awards, an industry golf tournament, and the original business Expo. Joining the Chamber is a great way to connect businesses in the region with businesses who want to work in the region.

14. South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce

The South Baldwin Chamber is one of the oldest on our list, having been founded in 1944. They offer a full range of memberships, from associations, corporations, and even associate members who believe in the work being done in the Chamber. The Chamber seeks to keep the community together by hosting several events annually.

Applying for Membership

Applying for membership is easy through the Chamber’s website, where you can find other resources. Member-only events and training are available once you’ve applied, as well as significant business resources and data relevant to the local area, such as licensing and permits and job listings.

15. Madison Chamber of Commerce

The Madison Chamber of Commerce offers advertising and marketing support for the area including marketing, consulting, being added in the monthly newsletter, and a radio show. This means there is extensive promotion of member activities on their social media and an extensive Madison directory of local businesses.

Educational Opportunities

The Chamber of Commerce offers timely and interactive workshops and seminars. They also have community-focused lunch and speakers to bring people together over a nice meal.

Networking and Events

The Chamber of Commerce puts on numerous events through the year, such as networking events and business expos.

Membership Cost

Membership costs anywhere from $299 to $349 per year depending on the size of your organization.”

Richard Allan

Richard Allan

Richard Allan is the founder of Capital Bean and a passionate writer about personal finance, budgeting and how to save money at home and work.

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