On Sunday, February 21, 2021 the Greater Stockton Chamber marked 120 years of being the voice for business in the region. The mission of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is to aggressively develop and promote an economically vibrant business community.
“The 120-year-old Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce has historically been at the forefront of scores of important issues that have had a positive impact on the business community and the community as a whole. Your Chamber has never shied away from taking a stand for the benefit of all and will forevermore pledge to do so!!” stated Chamber CEO Doug Wilhoit.
Over the past 120 years the Stockton Chamber has had some major accomplishments that have helped shape our region. Here are a few highlights from the long list:
College of the Pacific/University of the Pacific: From 1921 to 1923 the Chamber Board of Director’s and Chamber members successfully led the campaign to bring the College of the Pacific (now the University of the Pacific) to Stockton from San Jose in 1924.
Port of Stockton: In the late 1920’s and early 1930’s the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce worked hand in hand with many others on the “Deeper Water To The Sea” and later coined “32 Feet To The Sea” campaigns, which successfully brought the Jewel of Our City and Region, The Port of Stockton, to reality in 1933, as the first deep water port in California.
CALIFORNIA HEALTH CARE FACILITY (CHCF): In our more recent history your Chamber stepped up to make sure the planned “prison hospital facility” in Stockton was not a drain on our community. Your Chamber Board, members and staff sued the State of California to make sure when it opened in 2013 it was indeed a good neighbor and integral part of our entire community and region. Through the lawsuit settlement the Stockton Chamber was able to secure:
- $337 Million to local contractors through local bid requirements for Design Build Package 1 and Design Build Package 2.
- 1,000’s of construction jobs for Design Build Package 1 and Design Build Package 2 through local hiring requirements.
- $171,000 widening of Highway 99 at Arch Road off-ramp and signal on Arch Road.
- $680,000 mitigation fee to San Joaquin County.
- $1.2 million for transportation improvements.
- $690,000 mitigation fee to Stockton Unified School District and to local government.
- Funding for San Joaquin Delta College to expand its accredited program to train psychiatric technician aides needed by CHCF.
- The California Prison Health Care Services entered into a multi-year contract with San Joaquin General Hospital to provide care not available at CHCF.
- CDCR entered into an agreement to provide a total of $700,000 over four years to Stockton Unified School District and the Health Careers Academy High School was born.
Award-Winning Programs: The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is home to multiple award-winning programs.
- Both the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce and our Green Team San Joaquin were inducted into the International Green Industry Hall of Fame in 2013, the only Chamber of Commerce inducted in the Green Hall of Fame.
- The Stockton Chamber Apprenticeship Program (SCAP) has won numerous awards since its inception in 2000.
- Leadership Stockton is one of the oldest adult community leadership programs west of the Rockies, with the first-class starting in 1980.
- The Stockton Chamber’s ATHENA Awards program is one of the longest-running ATHENA programs in the nation, honoring local women since 1986.
About Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce
Founded on February 21, 1901, the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce speaks for thousands of local businesspeople. For these 120 years, the Chamber has been the authoritative voice in all business matters throughout the Central Valley. The mission of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is to aggressively develop and promote an economically vibrant business community.
www.stocktonchamber.org