History
The organization we simply call the Chamber was first chartered in 1946 as the Cookeville Chamber of Commerce. A year later, acceding to a broader vision, it was re-chartered as the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce in 1948. At some point, it assumed a hyphenated name: Cookeville Area-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce which was chartered in 1968. Finally, in 2007, it deleted “Area” from its name and settled on Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce.
Catalysts of the young Chamber were Luke Medley, president; I.C. Marchbanks, secretary; and Dero Brown, D.H. Maddux, E.H. Hooper, W.R. Whitaker Jr., Morrison Lowe, and John L. McCawley, witnesses.
The Chamber was formed for purposes that are pertinent today:
“...for the purpose of promoting, advancing and protecting the industrial, civic, commercial, agricultural, social and general interest of the County of Putnam and trade territory surrounding said County; to discover interest and locate industries and any and all institutions which might be deemed of benefit to the community; to interest the public generally in the location of industries, institutions and organizations; to interest the public in matters of taxes and other civic, legislative, and governmental subjects; touching the general interest of the community, to hold meetings and exchange ideas relating to the general and particular welfare of the community; to do any and all things that are necessary and convenient to carry out the objects of the Corporation without limiting such activities to the special matters herein set forth; to enter into any and all contracts and agreements deemed advisable for the promotion of the interest of the Corporation and the community in general.”
The mission of the Chamber is to be a world-class, regional leader, partner and catalyst by creating and retaining high quality, 21st Century jobs; protecting and improving our pro-business climate; enhancing our region’s quality of life; cultivating and supporting future community leaders; and adding value for our members' investment.
