Background

Downtown Business Center. A membership organization formed in 1958, the Downtown Business Center focused on center-city activities, working to retain and recruit businesses to the downtown area and maintain its vibrancy. It also took on coordinating and hosting various downtown festivals. And for some time, it oversaw downtown parking enforcement. In recent years, its geographic focus expanded to include the hilltop-to-hilltop area from the St. Mary’s neighborhood in Lafayette to Chauncey Village in West Lafayette. In 2005, it employed two; its budget was nearly $148,689.

Greater Lafayette Community Development Corporation. Founded in 2001, this organization’s focus was encouraging property renewal for community-wide benefit. Its principal activities were operating real estate development and business loan programs and coordinating community development projects, especially those involving challenged properties, brownfields, blighted buildings and vacant land. In 2005, the organization employed two full-time; its operations budget was $218,000.

Lafayette Urban Enterprise Association. Established in 1993, the Lafayette Urban Enterprise Association worked to revitalize the designated urban enterprise zone, primarily Lafayette’s center city. Its mission was to enhance, revitalize and encourage zone businesses and neighborhoods through partnerships, programming, tax incentives and cooperation with zone businesses, residents, neighborhoods and others. In 2005, LUEA employed one as executive director and had an annual budget of $275,000.

Lafayette-West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The oldest of the organizations, the Lafayette-West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce’s roots extend to 1927. A nonprofit member organization of area businesses, the Chamber’s mission was to represent and assist members of the business community by providing volunteer leadership that promoted favorable economic, government and community development for the growth and prosperity of a diverse business community. Its activities included advocacy in community and government affairs, leadership in areas affecting businesses, and membership events, such as seminars, forums, industry programs, education support and networking events. In 2005, the Chamber employed four full-time and three part-time; its annual budget was $575,000.

Lafayette-West Lafayette Economic Development Corporation. Founded in 1983, this nonprofit economic development corporation was supported by membership. Its mission was to encourage economic development by working to retain and expand existing businesses and industries and attract new, to capitalize on technology innovations and initiatives from Purdue University, and to promote entrepreneurship. It cosponsored the Greater Lafayette Small Business Development Center and sponsored several business networking programs, the Greater Lafayette Venture Club, Life Science Research Council, Telecommunications Oversight Committee and Greater Lafayette Sister City. In 2005, it employed two full-time and one part-time; its annual budget was $540,000.

Vision 2020. This nonprofit corporation was formed in 2001 following a community visioning process that hoped to achieve a safe, healthy and accessible community that embraced history, culture and diversity, serving as a steward of natural resources, striving to balance planned growth and economic vitality, and involving citizens, government, business, social and educational institutions in working together to achieve community goals. The organization’s principal activity was serving as a community voice and partner in implementing the Lafayette-West Lafayette Plan for the Future. In 2005, Vision 2020 employed one as managing director; its annual budget was $38,500.

New Corporation Convened May 2006

The proposal to merge into a single, focused organization was then taken to the boards of directors of the six organizations, who ultimately voted to merge.

In May 2006, 25 individuals were named to serve as the convening board of directors of the newly organized Lafayette-West Lafayette Development Corporation. They included seven designated members, who serve because of their government or education posts; 12 chosen by the boards of the six organizations who merged to form; and six others. An interim chief executive was also named.

In June 2007, the corporation hired its first president and chief executive officer.

In September 2008, the Lafayette – West Lafayette Development Corporation revealed at its Annual Dinner a new name and logo: Greater Lafayette Commerce.