Greater Cleveland Growth Association

Founded in 1848 as the Board of Trade. It was reorganized and renamed the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce in 1893. It merged with the Greater Cleveland Growth Board in 1968 to form the Greater Cleveland Growth Association. Its goals have always been to provide a forum for businessmen to discuss ideas and problems, to stimulate investments in the local economy, and to make Cleveland a better place to live and work. The organization was active in many areas of progressive reform in the early 1900s, including housing codes, bath houses, and the organization of charitable activities.

From the description of Records 1881-1971. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 17644788

The Greater Cleveland Growth Association was founded in 1848 as the Board of Trade in Cleveland, Ohio. It was reorganized and renamed the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce in 1893. It merged with the Greater Cleveland Growth Board in 1968 to form the Greater Cleveland Growth Association. Its goals have always been to provide a forum for business leaders to discuss ideas and problems, to stimulate investments in the local economy, and to make Cleveland a better place to live and work. The organization was active in many areas of progressive reform in the early 1900s, including housing codes, bath houses, and the organization of charitable activities.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Greater Cleveland Growth Association

The Greater Cleveland Growth Association began as the Board of Trade in 1848. In 1893 the Board was completely reorganized and became the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. Finally, in 1968, the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce merged with the Greater Cleveland Growth Board to form the Greater Cleveland Growth Association. Throughout its history, however, the goals of the organization have essentially remained the same: to provide a forum for businessmen and businesswomen to discuss their ideas and problems; to stimulate investments in the local economy; and to make Cleveland, Ohio, a better place to live and work.

Activities to promote Cleveland businesses have been numerous and diverse. For years the organization has worked to raise money and support for lakeshore and harbor improvements. In 1909 and 1927 it organized industrial expositions to display the manufactures of Cleveland and through its Convention Board successfully persuaded organizations and associations to come to Cleveland and display their own products and services. The Cleveland Chamber of Commerce helped to start the popular national air shows in Cleveland during the 1930s. Over the years, the organization has provided business people with information about the local, national, and world economies.

Civil activities of the Greater Cleveland Growth Association have also been numerous and diverse. For instance, in 1899 the Chamber of Commerce raised money for a monument to Moses Cleaveland; in 1900 it organized a Committee on Benevolent Associations to better coordinate the efforts of private charities that in 1913 was organized into the Cleveland Federation for Charity and Philanthropy, the forerunner of the United Appeal and the United Way.

From the guide to the Greater Cleveland Growth Association Records, 1881-1972, (Western Reserve Historical Society)