About Us#CHAMBER_MASTER_HEADING#
How can one individual or one business speak with the power of nearly 600 voices? By teaming up with one of the region’s most powerful business forces, the Aurora Regional Economic Alliance.

We all come from diverse backgrounds—from independent contractors, entrepreneurs, small businesses and large corporations, to family-owned, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses. United, we become a single, unifying force with the power to shape the future of the Aurora region. 

Why the Aurora Region?

Aurora, Illinois’s second largest city, is ideally situated along the historic Fox River. Founded in 1857, Aurora is rich in history. The city’s strengths are its strategic location in the Fox Valley and Chicagoland area, its robust talent pool and workforce, and its wide range of affordable and flexible commercial real estate options that make it a prime location for a variety of companies.

Aurora is built for business. Aurora’s economy is bolstered by a diverse collection of large- and small-scale companies that employ our highly educated workforce across industries, including professional, scientific, technical services, transportation, logistics, and warehousing, and healthcare. Leaders in Aurora’s public and private sectors work together to build a sustainable, economically friendly business environment. From internationally recognized companies to innovative local startups, Aurora is where thriving businesses choose to be. The goal of the Aurora Regional Economic Alliance is to promote economic development in this unique community that we call home. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Members

600+

Members
Year History

119

Year History
Counties

5-Star

Accredited

History

2025
The Aurora Regional Economic Alliance (Alliance) officially launched on January 31, 2025, unveiling an ambitious vision to transform the region into a premier hub for innovation and technological advancement. The organization was established to form an umbrella organization that provides the collaborative structure necessary for greater impact. It became officially operational in January 2025.
2022
The Aurora Regional Chamber was re-accredited as a 5-star chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in December of 2022. 5-Star Accreditation is a distinction earned by only 1% of the nearly 7,000 chambers in the United States. The Aurora Regional Chamber achieved the highest level of accreditation for four consecutive cycles dating back to 2007.
2020
With an amazing 100 years of history, the Aurora Regional Chamber has its sights set on the next 100 years of prosperity. In June 2020, the Aurora Regional Chamber rebranded its logo and colors to reflect a more modern design that better reflects today’s technological and digital world. The circular brand mark takes inspiration from the definition of the word aurora, simply put, small lights in the sky, along with the idea of connection and working together.
2017
The Aurora Regional Chamber was re-accredited as a 5-star chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in June of 2017. 5-Star Accreditation is a distinction earned by only 1% of the nearly 7,000 chambers in the United States.
2015
The Aurora Regional Chamber was recognized as the 2015 Illinois Outstanding Chamber of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
2014
The board of directors approved changing the name to the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, to emphasize the regional impact of both Aurora and the Chamber.
2012
The Aurora Regional Chamber became 5-star accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in June of 2012. 5-Star Accreditation is a distinction earned by only 1% of the nearly 7,000 chambers in the United States.
1980s
In the early 1980s, the Greater Aurora Chamber established a committee of chamber members to focus on increasing tourism within the area. This committee was the forerunner of today’s Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Also during the 1980s, in partnership with the City of Aurora, the Greater Aurora Chamber established the Aurora Economic Development Commission. Its goal was to bring industrial and commercial development to the economy of our community.
1956
The Board of Directors approved changing name to the Greater Aurora Chamber of Commerce in November 1956. Even 53 years ago, the foresight of the Chamber Board of Directors and staff realized the growth potential of this community and the impact the Chamber of Commerce could—and would—have on that growth.
1920
The Aurora Chamber of Commerce was organized in January 1920. Since then, the Chamber has been working effectively for the civic, commercial and industrial welfare of the entire community.
1913
The Aurora Commercial Club was established. Its primary focus was purely set on the commerce of the community. According to all reports, the Commercial Club had done great work, but it was not fully equipped to meet the City’s civic and commercial problems created by new conditions.
1906
Aurora’s first Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1906.

Strategic Plan Goals

What Informs the Strategic Plan?

The strategic plan is grounded in direct engagement with stakeholders—businesses, community leaders, educators, and Alliance staff—through focus groups, interviews, workshops, and surveys. TIP Strategies is combining this input with market research to conduct an economic assessment, benchmarking Aurora against peer regions and analyzing key industries. These insights will shape tailored strategies and best practices to move the Alliance forward and elevate the region’s economy.

Project Goals

  • The strategic plan will prepare both an economic development roadmap and an organizational framework for the Alliance. It will:

    • Define clear goals and objectives for the new organization.
    • Recommend strategies and a business plan for launch.
    • Outline approaches for recruiting, retaining, and expanding high impact industries.

Objectives

The objectives of the strategic plan include the following:

1 3Community Engagement: Engaging with community, business, and academic leaders to identify key priorities for the new organization

2 3Action Planning: Designing initiatives, action steps, and metrics to advance the priorities identified by the stakeholder engagement

3 3Economic Research: Researching and analyzing industries that currently influence Aurora’s economy, identifying assets and challenges, and drafting an economic development strategic plan with specific outcomes

4 2Future Industry Readiness: Creating strategies to position Aurora for success with the industries building the economy of tomorrow that include quantum computing and artificial intelligence

5Talent Alignment: Preparing recommendations for the Alliance as it relates to the talent needed to accomplish the goals and objectives set forth in the strategic plan

Key Outcomes

The strategic plan will deliver a clear, actionable framework to guide the Alliance’s work and strengthen the Aurora region’s economy—these are the key outcomes you can expect from this effort.

  • Clear Vision & Strategic Direction: A roadmap defining the Alliance’s mission, goals, and economic leadership role in the region
  • Stronger Support for All Businesses: Expanded services for local businesses with a focus on training, advocacy, and MWBE support
  • Data-Driven Priorities for Growth: Strategic focus areas informed by regional data and community engagement
  • Alignment of Workforce & Industry Needs: Talent strategies that connect employers with a future-ready, inclusive workforce
  • Framework for Impact & Accountability: Measurable goals, timelines, and tools to ensure follow-through and progress