Mission, Vision & History

MISSION:
The Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce, serving Lynn, Lynnfield, Swampscott and Nahant, is committed to developing and fostering a dynamic business environment by serving, protecting and promoting its members through valuable resources, government representation, marketing and networking opportunities.

VISION:
The LACC wants to be an influential, respected, productive and positive business and information center for the entire business community, representing over 1,000 member businesses.

HISTORY:
The Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce began in 1912 as the Lynn Chamber of Commerce (LCC). The LCC was the brainchild of then prominent businessman Ralph S. Bauer who also helped form the Lynn Board of Trade which then morphed into the LCC.

Bauer, who served as LCC president for several years, was a Massachusetts politician who served as the thirty eighth Mayor of Lynn. In addition, Bauer organized the Essex County Associated Boards of Trade, lead the fight against increased fares on the Bay State railway, he was “the big man” in the inauguration of the White Way system in Lynn which was created to mirror the “Great White Way of Broadway in New York City, made major improvements to the downtown business district and Bauer was responsible for creating Lynn Shore Drive – “considered one of the most scenic boulevards in all of America” for its time.

Like present day, the LCC membership was made up of big manufacturing and the smaller family-owned businesses. History echoes today’s issues as transportation, revenue taxes, permitting, signage, hours of operation and a “call for cooperation” were all issues of the day.

In the mid 1990′s the Lynn Chamber of Commerce changed its name to the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC). At that time the LCC was expanding its business membership into the communities of Lynnfield, Nahant and Swampscott and wanted to change its name to reflect the “area” and members which it serves.