Chamber - EDC Structure Options
This page is a guide to help chamber leaders understand the various ways regions align and structure traditional chamber of commerce and economic development functions. It focuses both on organizational structure and organizational brand.
Chambers and EDCs are as unique as the regions they serve; therefore, this short list does not fully capture the nuance inherent in any chamber-EDC arrangement. The examples are intended to provide context but may not exemplify every aspect of the model under which they are listed.
Single entity
Chamber and EDC together under one roof with one management team and one governance structure. Chamber is primary economic development entity in the territory.
Single entity with distinct ED Brand
Chamber and EDC together under one roof with one management team and one governance structure, but with a distinct organizational brand for external economic development marketing.
Principal-subsidiary relationship
EDC is a subsidiary entity of the chamber (often a legally separate 501c3). EDC has a separate board and often has its own organizational brand, but the chamber has significant control over its management and governance.
Umbrella Partnership Model
Chamber and EDC both exist as separate subsidiary divisions under a regional partnership umbrella that may also include CVB, downtown council, etc. Entities will have separate boards and management, but are tied together by one parent holding company.
- Allegheny Conference on Community Development (Pa.), comprised of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (EDC), Economy League of Southwestern PA (research) and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
- Community Development Foundation in Tupelo (Miss.), the umbrella organization for the local chamber, economic & community development, and a small business incubator.
- Greensboro Partnership (N.C.), formed in 2005 from the merger of Greensboro Economic Development Alliance, Action Greensboro, and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce (N.C.)
- Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance in Lake Charles (La.), the umbrella organization of the Chamber SWLA, the SWLA Alliance Foundation, and the Southwest Louisiana Partnership for Economic Development.
Funding Partnership
Chamber and EDC are separate entities with independent governance structures but are inextricability tied by a formal fundraising partnership where the chamber funds the EDC. Prevents two organizations from undertaking fundraising initiatives that tap the same pool of private sector investors.
Informal Regional Cooperation
Fully separate and independent chamber and EDC have clearly delineated economic development roles to complement each other rather than overlap services and roles. Chamber will often take on business retention/expansion, public policy advocacy, and/or infrastructure development while the EDC takes on regional marketing.
Fully Separate Entities
Chamber and EDC are completely separate legal entities. They may share common board members but have no governance or management connection.
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Last Updated: 4/9/2018