The first chamber in the U.S. was founded in 1768, eight years before the Declaration of Independence. Since then, chambers have helped communities grow, strengthened local economies, supported entrepreneurs, championed infrastructure, and brought leaders together to address their community's most pressing challenges… In an era when trust in nearly every American institution has fallen, local chambers have earned public trust. We do not take that lightly. Trust is not a reward for past performance, but a responsibility to continue providing the civic leadership our communities and country need.