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.

• Greater Spokane Inc. (Wash.)
• Texarkana USA Chamber of Commerce (Texas)
• Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce (Okla.)

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.

• Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce (N.C.) with Wake County Economic Development
• JAX Chamber (Fla.) with JAXUSA Partnership
• Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce with Milwaukee 7

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.

• Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce (Ga.) with Macon Economic Development Commission as separate entity with its own organizational branding and board.
• Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce (Kan.) with Go Topeka as separate entity with its own organizational branding and board.
• Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce (Mo.) with Springfield Business Development Corporation (SBDC) as separate legal entity but with common organizational branding

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.

• Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce (Ohio)

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.

• Columbus Chamber of Commerce (Ohio)

Fully Separate Entities

Chamber and EDC are completely separate legal entities. They may share common board members but have no governance or management connection.


Chamberpedia Home | Economic and Community Development | Chamber - EDC Structure Options

Last Updated: 4/9/2018