Sulm's Float in the 1912 County Fair Parade.
 

The Canton Chamber of Commerce/Main Street was organized in fall of 1991. This was a combined effort of several organizations trying to establish one unity. Some of those combining their efforts were Canton First, Canton Main Street, and Canton area members of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce which at that time was an affiliate of that chamber.

There has always been a Chamber of Commerce in Canton. It has been through many changes, names and efforts. Prior to August 1990 the Chamber serving Canton was the Madison County Chamber which had offices in the Canton City Hall. The County Chamber represented each town of the county.

In August 1990 Canton First, a group of professional and business people, formed a committee to organize a Main Street program in Canton. The program was already operating on the state level with Scott Barksdale of Canton as the state director.

Canton First nominated members from various entities in town and from these the first board was selected.

Main Street operated for about one and half years when Canton First again approached members to consider forming a Canton Chamber of Commerce. This came at a time when Main Street was seeking a new director since the first director had married and moved back to South Carolina.

In late 1991 Canton First agreed to disband and Main Street agreed to become Canton Chamber of Commerce/Main Street, thus becoming a representative for Main Street businesses and the entire city.

The purpose of the merger was to have an organization in Canton working for the city since the county chamber was going to place their emphasis on county wide development.

As they say the rest is history and we have come to be the organization you have today.

About The Chamber