The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce was established in 1873 by few determined early-day pioneers who came to make their homes in South Puget Sound. It is the oldest and one of the most influential of all chambers in Washington State. Through its history, the Thurston County Chamber has maintained the Olympia Area as the seat of government for the state. It also has taken on local, state, and national issues, including keeping Mt. Rainier' s name from changing, regional transportation improvements, and creating a Port District. It has also been instrumental in the creation of numerous community organizations and events, including Lakefair, the Economic Development Council, and the Visitor and Convention Bureau. The mission of the Thurston County Chamber is to build community prosperity through a unified voice to support free enterprise. With this mission in mind, the Chamber has worked diligently to improve economic expansion, new jobs, higher incomes, and a solid, well-proportioned tax base.