Necessity is the mother of many things, and perhaps caused the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce to get started.

About the mid 1960’s a group of businessmen in this area were concerned about a number of changes:

• The advent of I-94, which resulted in half of an interchange or Red Arrow Highway. This affected the traffic along Red Arrow Highway and consequently the businesses located there.

• Erosion along the lake shore threatening Red Arrow Highway, the railroad, and properties along the lake.

• The creation of the Lakeshore School District, which attracted population and area development.

• Lack of an organized group to speak for these concerns. At that time, little interest was shown for this particular area south of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph.

Some of the early pioneers of the Chamber were:
            Thomas McGrath, restaurant owner along Red Arrow Highway
            Clifford Emlong, Emlong Nurseries
            James Small, Village of Stevensville
            Bud Kerlikowski, Bud Kerly Sales and the Village of Stevensville
            Charles Yob, President of Industrial Belting & Supply

The Chamber was organized in 1966 with this in mind:
“The Lakeshore Area Chamber of Commerce is organized for the purpose of uniting as a group for the promotion of the Lakeshore Area and to tell the ‘Lakeshore Story’ for the advancement of commercial, industrial, civic, cultural and general interests of Lakeshore, and its trade area.”

The Chamber was successful in securing the full interchange. Lake erosion surveys were performed and contact made which helped save Red Arrow Highway, which is now the business route for I-94.

Chamber Activities:

• Promotion of public water and sewer
• Support of tax incentives for local industry
• Support for Stevensville and Baroda pageants, community events, and projects
• Promotional brochures
• Newsletter to members
• Forums for political candidates
• Training programs
• Cooperation and meetings with other area Chambers
• Maintain a website with member listings, calendar of events, member announcements, and member to member discounts
• Quarterly membership meetings with program designed to provide networking opportunities, information on local events, marketing, advertising, development proposals, ballot issues, and safety
• Provide tourist and area information via phone line, website, and email.
• Award an annual scholarship to a Lakeshore resident with plans to attend Lake Michigan College
• Annual Business of the Year Award