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Organizational History
The Shelby County Chamber
November, 1978
First meeting of the Alabaster Chamber of Commerce.
June, 1980
Incorporation of the Pelham Area Chamber of Commerce.
Mary Sue McClurkin served as Executive Representative from 1980-1984.
The City of Pelham provided the Chamber with office space in the attic of City Hall.
1984
Gail Bailey served as Director of the Pelham Area Chamber from 1984-1990.
1984
Montevallo Chamber of Commerce incorporated.
September, 1988
CSX Transportation donates Train Depot to the Pelham Area Chamber. The City of Pelham moves the building to city property and renovates the Depot, which becomes the new home of the Chamber.
1990
Tammy Raymard served as Director of the Pelham Area Chamber from 1990-1991.
1991
Pelham Area Chamber and Alabaster Chamber of Commerce merge;
the North Shelby Chamber of Commerce is incorporated to represent the tri-communities of Alabaster, Helena and Pelham.
1992
Karen Ream begins role as Executive Director for the North Shelby Chamber. She served in this role
through 2006.
October, 1993
South Shelby Chamber of Commerce incorporated.
February, 1994
Calera Chamber of Commerce filed for 501 (c) 6 status.
May, 1999
North Shelby Chamber’s Board of Directors vote to change its name to Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce to encompass a more county-wide representation.
February, 2000
Incorporation of the Greater Shelby County Community Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 public charity, for the purpose of earmarked funding for education & workforce development initiatives.
May, 2002
GSCC announces The Partnership, a 5-year collaborative business-driven initiative.
The Partnership – Phase 1: 2003-2007
The Partnership – Phase 2: 2008-2012
July, 2005
The Greater Shelby Chamber leases office space from the County and begins operations at the Shelby County Services Building in Pelham.
December, 2006
Jennifer Trammell hired as Chamber President. She serves in this role through January 2012.
Fall, 2011
50+ Business and Community Leaders interviewed by First Community Development on questions pertaining to “where we want Shelby County to be in five years?” These conversations were the basis for the four new program areas – Business Support & Development, Community Development, Governmental Relations and Marketing & Communications.
February, 2012
Paul Rogers and David Wilson accept roles as Campaign Co-Chairs for ShelbyOne initiative.
July, 2012
Kirk Mancer hired as President & CEO of the GSCC.
Summer, 2012
GSCC announces ShelbyOne, a 5-year collaborative business-driven initiative, with a Campaign goal of $1.7 million. ShelbyOne – Phase 1: 2012-2017
February, 2013
GSCC announces it exceeded its $1.7 million ShelbyOne Campaign goal by raising $1,913,600.
October, 2014
GSCC announces collaborative partnership with the Calera Chamber of Commerce.
July, 2015
GSCC announces collaborative partnership with the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce.
November, 2015
Shelby County approaches GSCC and Shelby County Economic & Industrial Development Authority (SCEIDA) to develop and implement a collective economic development effort for the purpose of recruiting new jobs to Shelby County.
Task force made up of Volunteer leadership from GSCC and SCEIDA formed to undertake discussions.
December, 2015
GSCC announces collaborative partnership with the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce.
July, 2016
Calera Chamber of Commerce suspends operations.
August, 2016
GSCC named one of seven chambers of commerce to achieve the Accredited Alabama Chamber of Commerce distinction (AACC). Joining the Greater Shelby County Chamber in receiving this inaugural accreditation were the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Guntersville Chamber of Commerce, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.
November, 2016
Volunteer leadership and executives from GSCC, Montevallo and South Shelby Chambers begin expanded collaborative discussions.
December, 2016 / January 2017
GSCC Volunteer leadership engages Funding Solutions for phase two of ShelbyOne.
February, 2017
Announcement of the formation of a new economic development entity Shelby County with the goal of bringing more jobs to the county by bringing new employers to the area and helping existing businesses grow.
This economic development partnership is a result of efforts between Shelby County and the GSCC. The purpose of the entity is to recruit, retain and develop commercial, retail and industrial businesses.
February – March, 2017
60+ Business and Community Leaders interviewed by Funding Solutions team.
May, 2017
Funding Solutions team presents “Leadership Consensus Building Report” to Chamber’s Board of Directors and business and community leaders.
Recommendations on a potential campaign are presented to launch a $1.75 million five year campaign to fund the Chamber’s “Next Level Up” role in delivering new county-wide economic development programs and initiatives.
June, 2017
Mike Thompson and Alex Dudchock accept roles as Campaign Co-Chairs for ShelbyOne – Next Level Up! initiatives.
August, 2017
GSCC announces ShelbyOne – Next Level Up! goal of $1.75 to fund a five-year path that builds on the foundation of growing our existing companies while embracing change and expanding our business economy by:
– Increasing quality job growth throughout Shelby County by helping our existing businesses complete in
an ever-changing marketplace, and to grow and thrive here.
– Establishing a business-driven workforce readiness approach via a partnership between business,
community, our schools and our training providers ensuring Shelby County companies can recruit and
retain the employees and managers they need.
– Operating as a full public-private growth partner with 58 INC, the new countywide economic
development organization established to recruit a smart mix of retail, commercial and targeted
industrial firms.
– Serving as the leading voice for our Shelby County business community at all levels of government in
order to sustain and enhance a pro-business climate.
September, 2017
Volunteer leadership (Current Chair, Immediate Past Chair and Chair-elect) and executives from GSCC and SSCC undertake expanded collaborative discussions.
November, 2017
Yvonne Murray hired as Managing Director and Melody Whitten hired as Development Director for 58 INC., the Chamber’s new collaborative economic development partner.
GSCC announces it exceeded its $1.75 million ShelbyOne – Next Level Up! Campaign goal by raising $2,106,670.
January, 2018
Next Level Up! funding reaches $2,247,170 (128% of goal) from 70 investors to date. Ad Hoc Committee chaired by Paul Rogers, NobleBank & Trust and made up of representatives from both
Boards of Directors from the GSCC and SSCC is formed. The purpose of the Ad Hoc Committee is to explore the possibility of more closely aligning the two organizations due to the similarities and overlap in purpose and membership.
February, 2018
Following the resignation of their Executive Director, the SSCC Board of Directors contracts with the GSCC to provide staffing support for their operations and events. GSCC staffers Melanie Goodwin and Keyla Handley oversee day-to-day operations of the SSCC.
November, 2018
Ad Hoc Committee reports back to GSCC and SSCC Board of Directors the recommending consolidation vote to bring two groups together to form a new organization effective in 2019.
Both GSCC and SSCC Board of Directors vote unanimously to consolidate the two organizations in to one new organization
December, 2018
GSCC and SSCC announce the formation of a new organization: The Shelby County Chamber effective January 2019.
January, 2019
The Shelby County Chamber’s inaugural event – the January “Chamber Connections Luncheon” – is held in Columbiana.
