Vision Statement
To be the leader of collaborative efforts to advocate a community vision, to promote business retention, growth and development, and to be a catalyst for higher education to meet the workforce development needs of Lima and Allen County employers.

Mission Statement
Serve, Represent and Enhance Business Growth and Success.

About Us:

Founded in 1887, the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce is the community’s leading advocate and champion for business. Its primary objective is to create a climate of growth and success in our community.

The Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce provides leadership and business-building initiatives focusing on the critical priorities of the community. Leveraging the support, talent, and resources of our members, we are one of the leading organizations helping to improve the economic vitality and quality of life for the region.

As an advocate for businesses and our communities, we are living and breathing “Real American Strength” in our everyday programs, efforts, and initiatives. We encourage our local businesses and community members to evaluate how they demonstrate “Real American Strength” in their everyday activities.

Community and economic development are essential for a growing community. The Chamber has taken under its umbrella, the Common Threads “Allen 2020” project. Through this effort, 10 task force teams organized and developed a community vision focusing on the planned growth of the Lima/Allen County community. These efforts have now developed into a partnership with the Regional Planning Commission and is now called the Sustainable Communities Initiative.

The Chamber has continually focused our efforts on identifying and advancing opportunities to support economic development of small business. In collaboration with Diversified Management and the Small Business Development Center the Chamber formed the Walter C. Potts Entrepreneurial Center. The purpose of the Center is to provide economic stability and to enhance the community’s quality of life by encouraging small and minority business to stay, invest and participate in the Lima/Allen County community.

Working together through the Lima Area Chamber Foundation, the Chamber, Allen Economic Development Group, Lima/Allen County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Downtown Lima, Inc., Allen Lima Leadership, Walter C. Potts Entrepreneurial Center and the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center were able to rehabilitate a historic building in downtown Lima, to form the Center for Business Services. The selection and renovation of the historic Schnorf-Wagner Building was a $2.4 million investment in the redevelopment of the downtown business district. The Center for Business Services created a unique ballroom to accent the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center as well as become a catalyst for economic development.

Enhancing education is a priority of the Lima/Allen County community. Several organizations have joined efforts with the Chamber to work with city and county schools to increase the number of students and adults striving to achieve a post secondary education. The Chamber and United Way of Greater Lima have partnered to identify social and educational gap areas – addressing those outside influences preventing students from obtaining a post secondary education. It is our goal to overcome those hindrances and improve the quality of the workforce in Allen County and surrounding region.

Building relationships and retaining talent among the young professionals within the greater Lima area continues to be an optimist goal of the Chamber. Today, the Lima Young Professionals organization is making a difference and getting involved in several events, service and civic organizations, as well as providing outlets in which to impact the sustainability of the Allen County community. New to the program the Lima YP has developed an Executive YP branch which is a leadership intensive arm offering mentorship, skills building, and community service. The Lima YP has also stepped up and is taking a stand on behalf of the community by forming the “I Love Lima” movement. The I Love Lima movement was formed to help combat negativity and help promote our community… not only to visitors but also to our own residents. The Lima YP has been nominated for The Good Neighbor Award for their work with the I Love Lima movement.