About the Chamber
Chamber membership now stands at about 340 in spite of the recent unprecedented economic downturn. Wyoming and Kentwood make up nearly 51 square miles of some of the most valuable commercial, industrial and retail real estate in West Michigan. The population of the two cities is over 126,000.
Growth potential in these two key suburbs remains high with over 4,000 business entities calling Wyoming and Kentwood home, including some of the area’s largest industrial companies. The Chamber is proud that it has been able to play a key role, along with responsive City governments, to build a better community – a better place to live, to work, to raise a family … and a better place to do business!
2021
In 2021, WKACC President of nine years, Bob O’Callaghan, passed the torch to long-time Board Chair Keith Morgan.
2015
2010
2005
2001
Also in 2001, The Board of Directors re-organized the Chamber to make it much more responsive to its memberships’ needs by organizing it into four operating Divisions: Community Relations, Financial Development, Member Relations and Membership Development.
2000
The Chamber mobilized businesses along 28th Street SW and helped build the support necessary to create Wyoming’s Downtown Development Authority. The DDA was officially formed on January 1, 2000 and has helped with a steady transformation of that valuable commercial business district.
The Chamber also worked hard to pull the businesses together along Division Avenue, from 28th to 44th Streets. That group has “spun off” and maintains a close relationship with the Chamber. Called the Division Avenue Business Association (“DABA”), the businesses all along Division are leading the way to show “Community Pride” with the physical improvements along the corridor.
1997
In July, 1997, Grand Rapids native John J. Crawford was appointed President and CEO.
The Chamber, with the strong support of its Board of Directors, has achieved much in the last decade.
1994
1981
1980
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF WYOMING AND KENTWOOD
was first organized and incorporated in August, 1980 as the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce, Inc. by a group of Wyoming’s civic and business leaders. Some of those individuals included Hy Berkowitz of Rogers Department Store, Jack Loeks of Jack Loeks Theaters, Joe Betten of Courtesy Dodge, the Cities of Wyoming and Kentwood and Delton Parks of Country Fresh.
The Chamber Mission has always focused on promoting the community and helping local businesses to profitably grow sales; we have always relied heavily on our dedicated network of volunteers who work tirelessly to support the Chamber and the local community.