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The
Waukesha Area Chamber of Commerce sign and members in 1990.
Photo
courtesy of the Waukesha County Historical Society |
WAUKESHA
— When it began operations in Waukesha, Woodrow Wilson was
president, silent movies were all the rage and a postage stamp
cost three cents.
Needless
to say, much has changed since the establishment of the Waukesha
Chamber of Commerce — forerunner of what today is known as the
Waukesha County Business Alliance — a century ago, in 1918.
Today,
the alliance’s 1,200person membership includes an array of
business leaders in a range of sectors. Representatives include
such internationally recognized corporations as GE Healthcare and
Quad/Graphics. On the other end of the spectrum are upstart
businesses just getting their footing.
What
has not changed, however, according to leaders within the
organization, is an unwavering desire to promote the importance
the business community plays in Waukesha and surrounding
communities.
“When
you look at what some of the issues were back (in 1918), you
realize they’re the same now,” said Suzanne Kelley, president
and CEO of the WCBA, which has operated under its current moniker
since 2010 when the Waukesha County Chamber of Commerce merged
with the Waukesha County Action Network.
Old
archival information from the Waukesha County Historical Society
demonstrates what was on leaders’ minds in the organization’s
first few decades.
“The
business interests, which include all taxpayers, citizens,
businessmen of all classifications, as well as manufacturers, need
an association of commerce,” then-President J. Frederick Palmer
wrote in a 1936 document.
Palmer
that same year also stated, “Waukesha and Waukesha County have
much to offer.”
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People
gather for the 1947 annual meeting.
Photo
courtesy of the Waukesha County Historical Society |
Kelley,
looking at the state of the organization today, offered similar
sentiments about the power in a “strength in numbers”
approach.
“By
bringing businesses together, the alliance creates a collective
voice,” she said.
Even
in its earliest days, as literature from those formative years
points out, economic development and a broad range of workforce
issues were guiding forces within the organization’s mission
statement.
“Things
have evolved, and they’ve changed, but those main areas of focus
really
have remained the same,” Kelley said in a recent interview with
The Freeman.
In
some instances, issues of concern also have come full circle. The
importance the manufacturing sector plays in the region, for
instance, has been a frequent topic of conversation in recent
years as reports of a labor shortage in specialized areas have
emerged.
Looking
ahead
Looking
to the future, as technology continues to transform all facets of
life, Kelley said the association’s overall mission statement
likely will remain the same for years to come.
The
business alliance’s growth and evolution in the past century
closely mirrors its surroundings. Waukesha’s resident population
has swelled. So, too, has the county’s. Commercial and
industrial corridors have followed suit.
While
the WCBA in its earliest years was laserfocused on the city of
Waukesha itself, Kelley said the organization over the years
broadened its focus to the full county.
More
recently, its influence has spilled over into neighboring areas,
as evidenced by members based in Milwaukee and Washington
counties.
Regardless
of locale or industry, Kelley points to one correlation between
each of the members.
“Our
member businesses are very engaged,” Kelley said. “They care
about the important issues and want to work together. They want to
help create the best environment for doing business.”
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