About Us
Misson
To enhance economic growth in the Brown County area by focusing on education, promotion and collaboration of the business community, recruitment and development of emerging community leaders, and those areas of the community affecting business.
About Us
About the Brown County Chamber of Commerce
The Brown County Chamber of Commerce was founded in the early 1980s by a group of passionate local leaders dedicated to promoting tourism, business growth, and the unique assets of Brown County.
“We would meet monthly at a restaurant on the golf course called Lakewood,” recalls Stan Purdy, one of the Chamber’s founding officers. “We recognized the county’s underutilized assets, such as Georgetown being the home of a U.S. President, its location along Morgan’s Raiders’ path, and its rich history in the Underground Railroad. At the time, there was a Georgetown Chamber, but we were advised to establish a county-wide Chamber to promote Brown County as a whole.”
In July 1983, the Brown County Chamber of Commerce officially formed with a mission to develop, advance, and improve agricultural, civic, commercial, industrial, and tourist activity throughout the county. Clyde Taylor, another original founder, recalls that Sr. Xavier Ladrigan of Chatfield College served as the Chamber’s first President, with early meetings held at the Eagles Hall.
Like the county itself, the Brown County Chamber of Commerce has continued to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of our business community.
“Today, the Chamber serves as Brown County’s central hub for business communication, events, networking, and leadership,” said Jen Patrick, current Board Chair. “Our organization has grown to include more than 335 member businesses and organizations, with new members joining every year.”
Today, the Brown County Chamber of Commerce exists to support local businesses and organizations through economic change by championing rural communities and guiding thoughtful growth. Serving the entire county, we bring together businesses, nonprofits, public leaders, and community partners who care deeply about Brown County’s future.
We believe business success and community success go hand in hand. Through networking, advocacy, community promotion, tourism support, and economic development efforts, we work to create opportunities for connection, collaboration, and leadership.
What sets us apart is how we show up. We are welcoming, relationship-driven, and rooted in integrity. We are not an exclusive or closed network. We are a place where every voice matters and everyone belongs.
The Brown County Chamber of Commerce remains committed to fostering long-term rural vitality — supporting businesses of all sizes as they grow, adapt, and succeed, while strengthening the community we are proud to call home.