Great Bend Chamber of Commerce

GB Chamber celebrates 100 years of service

Th e Great Bend Chamber of Commerce marked 2021 as its 100th anniversary being “Boosters for a Greater Great Bend.”

In June, downtown Great Bend’s Jack Kilby Square was the sight for a special ribbon cutting ceremony and the signing by Mayor Cody Schmidt of a proclamation declaring 2021 the chamber’s 100th anniversary year.

“I am so honored and privileged to be here at this important moment in history,” current GBCC President Megan Barfi eld said. “Maybe in another hundred years, they will see this amazing community that stands behind its businesses.”

In May of 1921, a band of dedicated local business owners and civic leaders, men and women, came together to form the chamber. A month later, a roster of the membership went out with such names as Charles Lischesky, Earl Moses and Will Townsley (owner of Tribune Publishing). Th ey called themselves Boosters for a Greater Great Bend.

Now, 100 years later with over 550 members, it continues to serve as the voice for businesses and growth, Barfi eld said.

Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis read the proclamation.

“Our local Chamber of Commerce unceasingly promotes our community for quality growth and development,” he read. “Th e business community, in Great Bend sees the driving force of helping educate, bring opportunity, show partnership, deliver service and lead a positive vision of the future.”

It goes on to say “the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce has sought to achieve successful results for our city in a cooperative spirit with other organizations; and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce has proudly represented the business community in Great Bend and Barton County for 100 years.”

In addition, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly also issued a proclamation honoring the occasion. “What an honor to have this acknowledgement from our state capitol,” Barfi eld said.

Th e gubernatorial statement mirrored the city’s. It also noted that the GBCC is among 144 chambers of commerce in Kansas that “distinguish themselves as the voice of business in our state, and the work accomplished by those local chambers has benefi ted our state through their service and dedication to the business communities.”

Th e COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancelation of the annual in-person banquet in February which was replaced by a virtual event.

However, plans are in the works for the 100th-annual banquet in 2022, and the anniversary will take center stage at that gala.

For more information on the chamber, call 620-792-2401 or visit www.greatbend.org.

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