Chambers of Commerce

Chambers of Commerce are associations of business people attempting to promote the interests of their members and of local businesses in general. These organizations work to bring new industries to their communities and also provide information about the localities that may help those planning to move there. Chambers often work closely with the state tourism agency, convention and visitors bureaus, and economic development organizations. In 2004 there were approximately 180 chambers of commerce in North Carolina. Some communities have more than one such organization. Charlotte, for example, has the Carolinas Asian-American Chamber, a French American Chamber, and the Charlotte Chamber; Kannapolis has the Cabarrus Regional Chamber as well as a city chamber; and Raleigh has the Carolinas Association of Chambers, the Hispanic Chamber, and the Greater Raleigh Chamber. The North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry is the state affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.