Our Legacy

2014

Chamber supported Design Review Team elimination as a failed experiment

Chamber supported Form Based Zoning initiative

2011- 2013

Chamber monitored land use proposals, regulations and capital expenditure proposals.

2010

Chamber supported updates to the Town sign regulations which included language to clarify and codify the Chamber’s welcome sign program in the Town’s sign regulations.

2009

Chamber supported an effort by State Senator Kevn Witkos and State Representative Timothy Legyt to pass state legislation that would have made state government less burdensome for business.

2008

Chamber supported continued property tax relief to elderly residents with a demonstrated need, while cautioning the BOS to use discretion in any effort to expand the program to avoid burdening taxpayers. The Chamber was thereafter represented on the committee created to study the matter.

2007

Chamber supported business freedoms in the debate on the then proposed Lowe’s project by issuing a statement: “The Chamber announced its continued support for sensible economic growth and commercial development in the Town of Canton. The Canton Chamber of Commerce believes that the proposed project is in the best interest of the Town of Canton, providing sensible economic growth.”

2006

Chamber supported business freedoms in opposing proposal to restrict outdoor activities

2005

Chamber receives Design Review Team report.

2004

Chamber subsequently supported a Design Review Team in an effort to streamline approvals.
(See 2014, in which our first inclination (below) was proven the correct one.)
Chamber initially opposed a Design Review Team as a further bureaucratic impediment to business.
Chamber supported business freedoms for automotive businesses in Canton.

2003

Chamber supported the Canton Shoppe’s Project as consistent with its efforts to expand the Canton business community.

Founding through 2002

The Canton Chamber was operated as an Affiliate Chamber of the MetroHartford Alliance, a consortium of local central Connecticut Chambers tied to the MetroHartford Chamber of Commerce. During this period local advocacy on the part of the Chamber was accomplished by individual member initiative rather than by Chamber staff. One reason for the eventual establishment of the Canton Chamber as a fully independent entity was the advocacy weakness of this system and structure.