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 The
Chamber of Commerce of Ulster County dates back to January of 1903.
At that time, a group of business owners who belonged to an
organization called the Business Men of the Rondout, met to form a
"permanent" organization.
They decided the new organization would be called The Chamber of
Commerce of the City of Kingston. Officers elected at this meeting
were: I.M. Weiner, President; P.A. Canfield, 1st VP; W.F. Rafferty,
2nd VP; J.J. Johnson, Treasurer and E.F. Mac Fadden, Secretary. Other
notable business leaders at that first meeting were E. Hiltebrant,
H.E. Wieber, H.C. Connelly, Jr., John W. Heaney, along with Messrs
Alliger, Stern, M.B. Myers and Bacharach. Annual dues were set at $1!
Among the first order of business was to find a downtown location for
the Fuller Shirt Factory. Organization records beyond this time frame
became sketchy at best.
The beginning of the "modern" era of the Chamber
crystallized in the early forties. The Chamber, then known as the
Kingston Chamber of Commerce was incorporated in 1945. Membership in
the United States Chamber of Commerce was accomplished in 1948. In
the early sixties the name was changed to the Kingston Area Chamber
of Commerce to reflect its growing role. In May of 1971 the
organization incorporated as the Chamber of Commerce of Ulster County
and remains today the largest and most influential voice of business
in Ulster County and a significant player in the region. During this
time the Chamber has had only four CEO's. The late Albert Kurdt
served for 17 years, Peter Allen 4 years, Len Cane was at the helm
for 34 years and, in 2003, Ward
Todd became President and CEO.
The Ulster County Chamber has been an integral part of a number of
exciting initiatives over the past several decades. The Chamber was
instrumental in creating both the Ulster
County Development Corp and the Industrial
Development Agency (UCDC & IDA) with the County Legislature.
The Chamber also played a major role in bringing Cornell
Cooperative Extension to the County. Working with Ulster County
Community College brought about the establishment of the Service
Corps of Retired Executives known as SCORE and, was a part in
growing the Ulster County Fair. For some ten years the Chamber was
heavily involved in attracting and hosting the Miss New York State Pageant.
Other significant Chamber programs include a 36 year, ongoing "On
the Job Training" effort that has been responsible for
putting thousands of local people into full-time, private sector
employment and the Ulster Leadership Development Institute, creating
a cadre of leaders for our nonprofit agencies. Some 150 graduates
have successfully completed this series of eight month classes. This,
in part, is the Chamber of Commerce of Ulster County. It is a vital,
growing and constantly adjusting organization representing all facets
of business and community. There is much more to come!
Len Cane, President & CEO (retired)
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