HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/06/2018 04Ai Yakima Chamber 125th Anniversary ProclamationBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
1
Item No. A.i.
For Meeting of: August 6, 2018
ITEM TITLE: Yakima Chamber 125th anniversary proclamation
SUBMITTED BY: Cally Price, Assistant to the City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Verlynn Best, President and CEO, Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce, will accept.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date
0 Chamber proc 7717/2018
Type
Coyer Memo
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CITY of 2'A7IgIlA
q q oCLAWATIogr
`G1'fiEWV1S, the present day Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce was established as the Commercial
Club in 1893 by a group of citizens to promote and support commercial businesses within the greater Yakima area;
and
`GWfiEAS, the Commercial Club did indeed promote and support local businesses and, in 1903, the
Club incorporated by selling 500 member shares at $100 each (appro $2,400 in today's market standards) with
the agreement to also pay a $100 per year membership fee. With this commitment of $50, 000, Club members went
to fairs, expos, and events telling the story of the fertile soil and great weather of the Yakima valley; and
WiFEWVIS, Club members went to the Alaska Territory to distribute information to entice people to
come to Yakima and start farms, orchards, and businesses; and
`G1'fiEWV1S, from that time through the 1940's the Club, which changed its name to the Yakima
Chamber of Commerce in 1925, worked on improving shipping methods by promoting train and truck,
transportation; lobbied for better local roads and pushed for the 1-90 Interstate and a useable Snoquatmie Bass
roadway; and, promoted the Yakima Armory, Yakima State `Fair Bark and strong irrigation and horticulture
laws; and
`G1'fiEWV1S, in the 1950's and 1960's, the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce was not only the voice
of the business community, but it also started the Yakima valley visitors and Convention Bureau with strong
committee workand a "we can do it" attitude and guided it into the 1960's when it became its own entity; and
`G1'fiEWV1S, the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce has created other organizations like New
Vision/Choose Yakima, Safe Yakima valley, and For a Better Tomorrow to support with pride the fruition of
these community assets; and
`G1'fiEWV1S, the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce was the guiding force behind the winning "Alf
America City" campaigns in both 1994 and 2015; and
`G1'fiEWV1S, today, the Chamber continues to be the voice of the business community and promote daily
improvement of the Yakima business environment with new business ribbon cuttings, private meetings with
potential new businesses, weekly business meetings and monthly luncheons, and hosting Business After 9fours
events; and
`GWfiEXT-AS, July 1St, 2018 marks 125 years of the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce making
business better, our community stronger, and quality of lfe the best it can be.
NOW, 2JfEUEOW,E, I, Kathy Coffey, Mayor of the City of Takima, do thereby proclaim 2018 the year
to celebrate the local business community and the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce and its efforts to enhance
the daily life of our citizens, businesses, localgovernment, and to be supportive of aft who lift, build, protect, and
create business in the Yakima valley.
Dated this 6th day ofAugust, 2018
Kathy Coffey, Mayor