La Grange Chamber of Commerce - Overview

In 1957 the La Grange Merchants Association sponsored a yearly event called the Golden Harvest Jubilee to celebrate the bountiful harvest by the farmers and the contributions that the farmers injection into the economy thereby making their business a success. The merchants realized that the loss of the farmer’s purchasing power would be a devastating blow to their business. Each fall during the Golden Harvest Jubilee the Merchants Association contributed a pool of money and when individuals purchased goods they were given a ticket and at the end of each week a ticket was drawn and the winner was given $100.00 from the Merchants Association. In appreciation of the farmer’s contribution to the success of their business the merchants ended each harvest season with the Golden Harvest Jubilee which was held on the main street in La Grange. However, with age, the sponsors discontinued this tradition and the Golden Harvest Jubilee met its demise. In 1986, some citizens became concerned about the decline of the number of businesses in La Grange and the only visual progress was the bypass around the Town of La Grange. This event spurred the community to evaluate the survivability of La Grange and the need to promote its qualities. It was the consensus of the movers and shakers of La Grange and the contiguous areas to reactivate the festival but to change the name to The Garden Spot Festival to coincide with the town’s tag line. This event brings all citizens together to celebrate our harvest, to renew old acquaintances, to make new friends and to work together to achieve the goals of the Chamber of Commerce and the elected officials of the Town of La Grange.

The mission of the Chamber of Commerce is to unite the citizens of this small community to work together to make a difference in the lives of everyone. The La Grange Chamber of Commerce shall be the catalyst to represent and advocate business interest, promote economic growth, provide leadership in community affairs, strive to enhance the quality of life for the people of La Grange, the surrounding communities and provide services and programs for its members. The promotion of economic growth is not restricted to new business but to also promote the interest of the businesses that have made the La Grange community their home.
The Chamber is NOT restricted to businesses and 15% of the Chamber’s membership is comprised of “individual members” and “non-profit organizations”.
In the 1980’s the Chamber of Commerce was reactivated and the La Grange Chamber leadership sought the assistance of the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber. An agreement was reached whereby the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber would perform all administrative and financial services for the La Grange Chamber of Commerce. In May 2008, the Board of Directors of the La Grange Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously to separate from the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce and to become its own entity. This was a difficult decision but the Directors were sure that no person or organization could or would represent La Grange better than the people from La Grange. With little money to start its operation the Board of Directors of the La Grange Chamber of Commerce assumed all duties to insure that the separation from the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce was a success. In 2009, the Board of Directors of the La Grange Chamber of Commerce hired an Executive Director to handle all of the administrative and financial duties of the Chamber.

La Grange is poised for growth and the Chamber invites you to be a part of this growth. Please join the Chamber in this worthwhile endeavor to advocate business interest, promote economic growth, provide leadership in community affairs, and to enhance the quality of life for the people of La Grange and the surrounding communities. As the Chamber moves forward an open invitation is issued to businesses, organizations, churches and individuals.

Major Events Sponsored Each Year

January - Citizen of the Year Banquet

Chamber membership and general population (non-Chamber members) nominate citizens to receive the prestigious honor of being recognized as the La Grange Citizen of the Year. This is the Chamber’s annual meeting.

April - Operation Clean Sweep

The Chamber designates a Saturday in April and invites the citizens to join with the Board of Directors to police and pick up all trash on the roads leading into La Grange.

May - Awards Banquet

This event coincides with the national recognition of the Small Business and the Administrative Professional Awards handed out nationally. The La Grange Chamber of Commerce solicits nominations from Chamber membership and general population (non-Chamber members) to nominate citizens for this prestigious recognition. The two awards are:

• Small Business of the Year Award
• Administrative Professional of the Year Award
   

September - Reverse Drawing

This is a yearly fund raising event that helps the Chamber implement the programs to achieve the mission of the Chamber. This event is held the Thursday night prior to the Garden Spot Festival.

September - Garden Spot Festival

This is a two day event (Friday and Saturday) to bring quality entertainment and good food to the citizens of La Grange; amusement rides, and many vendors.

December - Christmas Parade

This is one of the best parades down east and the Chamber is proud of this recognition. Historically the parade is held on the first Thursday in December and begins at 4 p.m.

Throughout the Year

The Chamber purchases advertisements on behalf of the Chamber membership and encourages the general public to support the Chamber members with their purchasing power. Monies go farther when group advertising is used to advertise for a business.