Lisa Workman, Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce

Fergus Falls Chamber celebrates 135 years serving the business community

Grover Cleveland is president of the United States. The first train load of oranges leaves Los Angeles via the transcontinental railroad. A workers strike escalates into the Haymarket Affair resulting in the eight-hour workday. Dr. John Stith Pemberton invents a carbonated beverage to be named Coca-Cola.

It was 1886. The city of Fergus Falls has existed for 14 years and claimed “the coming city of the Northwest.” Sixteen businessmen, including notables Wright, Barrows, Brown, Compton, Burnham, Dahl and Chase, gather in Fergus Falls to incorporate the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce and declare in the original Articles of Incorporation:

“The general objects and purposes of this incorporation are to facilitate the buying and selling of all products, to inculcate principles of justice and equity in trade, to facilitate speedy adjustments of business disputes, to acquire and disseminate usable commercial information in the furtherance of their legitimate business pursuits and to advance the general prosperity and business interests of the City of Fergus Falls.”

Initially formed as the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce, it has also been identified as the Civic and Commerce Club, Chamber of Commerce of Fergus Falls Inc., and the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce today. Along with the desire to help businesses grow, the Fergus Falls Chamber has worked diligently to grow the community as a whole.

The role of the Fergus Falls Chamber has evolved over the past 135 years while continuing to focus its main purpose of serving and promoting local businesses through commerce. Past activities and programming have included “Five for Fergus,” fishing and singing contests, Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce), Central Lakes Trail development, downtown lighting and parking, Queen of the May Day, Winter Wonderland and Scandinavian Days to name a few. In 1936, V.H. Sprague, president of Fergus Falls the Civic and Association Annual Report writes a summary of the association which still rings true today:

“The chief value of the association is an organization representing every phase of business in the city, ready to act on any problem or activity affecting the business or general welfare of the city.”

Gravely affected by World War II in the 1940s, the association sold war bonds for the “Retailers for Victory” campaign while sharing positive messages of recovery. President O.U. Habberstad pens a letter in the 1942 annual report:

“No doubt hard years lie ahead, but I am not discouraged because we are living in a fine agricultural community and I am sure when the war is over our citizens will return, our buildings will again be occupied, and business will be better than ever.”

Over the past 18 months, it has felt similar to fighting a war battling the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our health and economy. Our local businesses have endured and overcome shutdowns, work from home, masks and mandates, social distancing, PPEs and PPP, grant applications and vaccinations. Through it all, the Chamber has stood with our members and our business community to come out stronger on the other side. We will succeed. And together, we will continue to overcome the challenges for the next 135 years.

Moving forward, the Chamber will continue to be the most recognized source for community information and keeping people connected, especially through networking events. We work to increase the awareness and importance of commerce amongst our members. We are the governmental affairs liaison and advocate for small businesses, providing a consistent voice for businesses. We positively affect local commerce through effective marketing and promotion of Fergus Falls and our members. We combat the workforce challenge by providing avenues to promote careers — now and in the future.

Our mission in 2021 is similar to that of 1886: We serve as the lead advocate and resources for our members and to develop partnerships that foster a healthy business climate.

Belong. Connect. Succeed.

LISA WORKMAN

Chamber of Commerce

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