​As the oldest business organization in Santa Cruz County, the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce has been a local voice on behalf of business and the community since 1889. The Chamber  works to bring together businesses, workers, residents, organizations, citizens, and local governments, continually focusing on increasing and sustaining the county's economic vitality. ​

The Chamber has played a key role in many of the major economic endeavors over the last century and a quarter:

• 100 years ago - We helped build the Santa Cruz Wharf, which provided the means for the fishing and shipping industry that created Santa Cruz as an economic center
• 50 years ago - We helped dig through the Santa Cruz Harbor, to make it possible for boats of all kinds to berth safely and productively in the area
• We were involved in constructing Highway 17 over the mountain to provide transportation means for business transit, visitors, and over time, access to employees and jobs
• We helped secure investment from Andrew Carnegie and created the public library system in the county
• We provided major support and leadership to businesses devastated by the 1989 earthquake
• And more recently, we brought together business owners, investors, and government leaders and forged the solution to build Kaiser Permanente Arena, making it possible for the Santa Cruz Warriors to relocate here.

The Chamber dedicates its efforts to matters in which it can have the greatest influence at our local Santa Cruz County level.  To learn more history about the Santa Cruz Chamber and economic development in Santa Cruz county, see Chamber Complete History.