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Click for Easley, South Carolina Forecast
November 2008
Advanced Family Dentistry
Edward Jones, Powdersville Branch
Marion Davis, Inc.

 

Chamber History, Page 6 of 7

THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY of the
GREATER EASLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1947 - 1997
EASLEY HAS A PAST TO REMEMBER AND A FUTURE TO MOLD

Researched by Chris Eldridge. Reproduced Electronically with Permission.

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Another mainstay has been the Easley Combined Utility System. Through the years they have worked hand-in-hand with the Chamber to promote and provide for growth in the city of Easley.  They were the ones who installed water and power lines for new area industry and businesses.  Easley Combined Utility System also provided the city with sewer service, doing away with the troublesome sewage lagoon system.

 

Membership grew in the 1980's under the leadership of Joe Young and Bob Dye and their campaign to recruit professionals into the Chamber of Commerce.  As a result, the financial situation of the Chamber cleared somewhat; more attention was paid to keeping reserve funds in the bank and, at the same time, the Chamber became more active in the community.

 

By the late 1980's the Chamber once again seemed to be floundering, and two more office moves in the meantime didn't help.  Judy Burns took over the reins of the Chamber in 1991 and breathed new life into it again. With the help of board members like Chip Amaker and Chris Christopherson, the Chamber worked closely with City Officials, Bell South and the South Carolina Department of Transportation, Easley combined Utility System and the Pickens County Legislative Delegation on a massive downtown revitalization effort that put utilities underground, produced new sidewalks and enhanced landscaping.

 

Judy Burns restarted the monthly newsletter, then added "Third Thursday" luncheons, Textile Week and The Walking Christmas Tour.  She also brought the Chamber into the computer age with equipment donated by NCR.

 

In 1994, the Chamber was informed that it would have to move again because their office space at the BB&T building on 123 had to be vacated.  Mrs. Burns had just resigned to leave for Pakistan with her husband, Jim, who had business in that country. The next Director, Dave Watson, would have the opportunity of sharing some of the greatest news in the history of the Easley Chamber of Commerce. 

 

After years of nomadic life, the Chamber would have a permanent home!  The City of Easley graciously offered to renovate space within West End Hall and make it thereafter available for indefinite rental.  Now the Chamber sits in spacious offices in one of Easley's historic sites, sharing space with the Foothills Theater, The American Red Cross as well as other area organizations.

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2001 E Main St Easley, SC 29640-3857
Open 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM  Monday through Friday
Phone: 864-859-2693 / FAX: (864) 859-1941
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