About the Chamber
The Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce was formed to provide its members with advocacy, education resources, and networking opportunities that help businesses grow and thrive in our area.
Our mission is to: Be the voice of business by connecting, educating, and supporting our members’ communities.
The Hermantown Area Chamber is focused on its vision for the future, and our board remains committed and focused on achieving that vision. Our vision is to: Promote a strong and growing regional business climate to enhance the vitality of the communities we serve.
Our current Mission & Vision statements were updated in a collaborative effort during strategic planning sessions with the 2021 & 2022 Boards of Directors.
Adopted: May 18, 2022
Chamber History
On August 7th, 1980 Gerald Carlson, Kendall Carlson, Everil Mercil, Ervin “Bud” Ellefson, and Roger Carlson executed the articles of incorporation forming the Hermantown Chamber of Commerce. They were a group of area business leaders who took the initiative to set up a local Chamber to promote businesses within the community. Since their lead, the Chamber has continued to help promote business development in the Hermantown area.
The State of Minnesota filed the articles on September 22, 1980.
When the Chamber first began, there wasn’t a dedicated office space and Board meetings were often held at local restaurants. In February 1990, the Chamber found its first home at the City Hall Building which was then located at 5255 Maple Grove Road and now houses the Hermantown Historical Society. The Chamber has had offices in other locations over the years but has been located in Hermantown Square since 2007, with a welcoming reception area, two staff offices, and a large conference room.
We’ve grown to become the Hermantown AREA Chamber of Commerce, with over 250 members in Hermantown, Duluth, Proctor, Rice Lake, Pike Lake, and surrounding townships, as well as a handful of members in Cloquet, the Iron Range, Superior, and the Twin Cities. The Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce is led by President & CEO Kimberly Parmeter and a 20 member board of directors.
