Membership Tip of the week
The Mission of the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce is to Promote, Advocate, and Inform the Business Community.
Marathon boasts a rich history alive with fish stories and entrepreneurial spirit; both of which still thrive today.
The Chamber was founded in 1939 when William A. Parrish, fish house operator, Marathon’s first real estate broker, and former deputy sheriff, suggested the formation of a Chamber of Commerce to a group of local businessmen. By the end of that year, there were 80 merchants and also residents in the membership. Out of a population of 300!!!
Today
The Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce represents over 570 Keys businesses. We are proud to support educational seminars, community outreach programs, job fairs, affordable housing, and candidate forums. Every year, the Chamber donates to many local non-for-profits and charities such as Grace Jones Daycare, KAIR, FIRM, Habitat For Humanity; and provides local youth and also non-profit groups opportunities to raise money at the annual Marathon Seafood Festival.
We also are the official County representative to Enterprise Florida, the state of Florida’s official Economic Development agency. We work with the Governor and his staff to ensure Marathon and the Middle Keys are able to continue to be a top destination and place to live and work here in the Florida Keys.