Illinois Valley Industrial Association Records (LaSalle County)

On December 2, 1913 a group of local industrialists met at the home of F. W. Matthiessen to consider organizing a manufacturers’ club. A committee was selected to look into the matter and recommended that a club be organized at a meeting December 16, 1913. The purpose of the club was threefold: “to promote free enterprise and enhance relations between industry and business in the Illinois Valley; to provide such facilities as will better enable its members to work harmoniously for their common interest in solving their mutual problems; to assist in the solution of problems affecting this industrial area.” The Illinois Valley Manufacturers’ Club was officially organized on April 7, 1914 and received its charter as a non-profit corporation from the Secretary of State on November 15, 1914. Fritz Worm was the Club’s first president.    To accomplish its goals the Club created several committees including; legislative, labor and public relations, traffic, safety and membership. In addition, the group was involved in various data gathering activities, surveys, training programs and other types of continuing education. The I.V.M.C. cooperated with the local Chamber of Commerce and other groups with an interest in the prosperity of the region. To keep abreast of state and national issues important to the industrial sector the club was affiliated with the Illinois Industrial Council and Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. In 1964 the group decided to change its name from the Illinois Valley Manufacturers’ Club to the Illinois Valley Industrial Association and placed more emphasis on industrial activities. The I.V.I.A. disbanded in 1968.

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