ESCANABA — Delta County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the beginning of its 100th anniversary (1921-2021)

Happy New Year from the Board of Directors and staff of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce. 2021 is a special year for the Chamber as the organization celebrates 100 years of dedication to its members and the community.

According to the July 2, 1921 edition of the Escanaba Morning Press, the most inspiring meeting ever conducted for any purpose in Escanaba was held the previous evening at the Strand Theater when it was announced that business interests of the city were backing a modern Chamber of Commerce plan.

Prosecuting Attorney T. E. Strom presided as chairman of the first Chamber meeting and appealed to an enthused audience (that packed nearly every seat in the Stand theater) for cooperation on the part of the people of the community to make the Chamber of Commerce movement a decided success.

Some of the leading firms and corporations that answered Atty. Strom’s call and were the first to commit to membership included Escanaba Paper Company, Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad, Escanaba Manufacturing Company, National Grocer, I Stephenson Co. Trustees, State Savings Bank, National Pole Company, Delta Hardware Co., Fair Savings Bank Department Store, J.K. Stack Estate, Birdseye Veneer, Delta Hotel, Escanaba Motor Company, A.J. Kirstin Company, Ed Erickson Co., Greenhoot Bros., The Escanaba Morning Press, Kurz Bros., and the William Bonifas Lumber Co.

The meeting on July 1, 1921, took place more than 150 years after the first Chamber of Commerce in America, the New York State Chamber of Commerce, was organized. The Chamber of Commerce idea is a concept found only where private initiative and free enterprise exist.

Today, the Chamber of Commerce vision is to be a community leader in fostering a healthy business environment; to promote integrity, good faith, and fair business practices. The Chamber represents interests and issues affecting the community; supporting initiatives that make Delta County a better community to call home, visit and conduct business.

Since its inception in 1921, not a single year has gone by where the Delta County Chamber board of directors and members, a voluntary federation of almost 700 business and professional people, haven’t worked together to help build a healthy economy and to improve the quality of life in our waterfront community.

With 100 years in the rear-view mirror, we’re looking forward to the future and a continued commitment to ensuring a vibrant and prosperous community for future generations.

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Vickie Micheau is executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce