CHAMBER TIMELINE
Since its formation in 1924, the Midland Chamber of Commerce has served as a
catalyst for growth. With its diverse membership and resources, the Chamber has acted as a launch pad
for many organizations that continue to serve our community today. Among those are Keep Midland
Beautiful, MOTRAN, Midland Development Corporation, the Permian Basin Petroleum Association and United
Way of Midland.
The Chamber has also provided collaborative support for the establishment of key
facilities which have truly transformed our city - Midland College, Midland International Airport,
Midland Memorial Hospital, and the Midland Center (now rebuilt and known as the Bush Convention
Center).
■ 1924: Formation of Midland Chamber of Commerce
The Midland Chamber of Commerce came into being in the spring of 1924 with the help of B. Frank Haag,
replacing the former Commercial Club which served the community for a number of years.
■ 1931: Chartered as a Corporation in the State
of Texas
The Midland Chamber of Commerce filed to be a chartered corporation with the State of Texas. They
received government approval in 1931, officially making them a legal entity.
■ Early 1940’s: Bringing Commercial Flights to Midland
The Midland Chamber of Commerce took the lead in bringing commercial airline services to Midland.
Continental Airlines was the first carrier to serve Midland in 1944 (Pioneer Airlines) from what is now
Midland Air Park, with American Airlines coming in 1947 making Midland the center of aviation for the
Permian Basin.
In 1987, the Midland Chamber established an “International Port of Entry” status for the
then Midland Regional Airport, thus creating the Midland International Airport.
■ 1946: M-Squad Ambassadors
The mission of the M-Squad is to represent the Midland Chamber of Commerce as goodwill ambassadors. The
original M-Squad was created in 1946, consisting of 10 ambassadors. The program has continued and
flourished since, with members sporting their signature royal blue blazers.
■ 1947: United Way of Midland
The United Way of Midland, formerly known as “Community Chest,” was created by the Civic
Affairs Committee of the Midland Chamber of Commerce in 1947. They were able to raise $25,000 for six
agencies. Eventually, Community Chest established its own board of directors and became its own
nonprofit organization. In 1967, it was renamed the “Midland United Fund.”
■ 1950: Midland Memorial Hospital
Midland Memorial Hospital, a four-story 75-bed facility, opened in Midland in July of 1950. The idea
for Midland Memorial Hospital came into being at a Chamber board meeting. Funded by private donations
and a government grant and built on 7 acres of land donated by two families, ground was broken for the
hospital in 1948.
■ 1961: Permian Basin Petroleum Association
The Permian Basin Petroleum Association was proposed by a “group of oilmen concerned about the
federal government’s growing regulatory role.” Midland and Odessa Chambers of Commerce set
up procedures to be followed in gathering economic information. In 1961, the Permian Basin Petroleum
Association was officially born.
■ 1972: Midland College
In 1958, the Midland Chamber coordinated a survey to gauge public interest for a college in Midland.
Once public interest was heard, the eventual passing of Senate Bill 19 allowed the citizens of Midland
to hold an election to secede from the Permian Basin Junior College system. In December 1972, the $5.1
million bond issue to support the creation of Midland College was passed.
■ 1978: Leadership Midland
The Midland Chamber’s Leadership Midland program was founded in 1978, with the first class taking
place the same year on November 9. Just as the program is run now, students spent a full workday once a
month for eight months to familiarize themselves with areas of Midland, including health, government,
commerce, education, and various service agencies. Today, there are over 1,300 graduates and community
leaders that have come out of the Leadership Midland program!
■ 1980: Midland Center
The interest for an auditorium in Midland began in 1963. The Midland County Commissioners Court
commended the Chamber of Commerce and its Coliseum-Auditorium Committee on their stand that citizens of
Midland County should have the opportunity to have their ideas incorporated into a proposed coliseum.
After many delays, the Midland Center officially opened for business in 1980. Under a management
agreement with the City of Midland, the Chamber provided administrative services and management
oversight of the Midland Center until it was demolished in 2017 to make room for a new facility.
■ 1983: Keep Midland Beautiful
Keep Midland Beautiful, originally known as “Clean Midland, Inc.,” was established in 1983
as an initiative of the Midland Chamber of Commerce. Its primary purpose was to make Midland cleaner and
more attractive and to promote various ongoing litter-reduction programs for business, civic, education
and community groups. Today, it operates as a separate local nonprofit!
■ Mid 1990’s: MOTRAN
In 1993, TXDot studied the extension of I-27 to I-20 and I-10. Community and business leaders in the
Permian Basin united to promote a Permian Basin Route. MOTRAN (Midland/Odessa Transportation Alliance)
was officially created in 1997 and supported by the Midland and Odessa Chambers of Commerce, the Cities
of Midland and Odessa, and Midland and Ector Counties in efforts to encourage the development of Highway
349 and FM 1788 with local and state representatives, as a part of the La Entrada Al Pacifico.
■ 2002: Midland Development Corporation
In 2002, the Midland Development Corporation (MDC) was established to “promote business
expansion, job creation, and capital investment to diversify and strengthen the Midland economy.”
Later that same year, MDC selected the Midland Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Division
to manage the new economic development program, funded by a quarter-cent economic development sales tax.
Today, a board appointed by the Midland City Council governs the Midland Development Corporation.
■ 2015: National Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational
procedures and community involvement. While there are over 7,000 chambers of commerce in the U.S., only
3% (just over 200 chambers) are accredited. This achievement highlights the Chamber’s dedication
and commitment to be the best resource possible for Midland’s business community.
■ 2019: Bush Convention Center
New renderings of the Bush Convention Center were created with the decision to demolish the old Midland
Center. The Bush Convention Center opened its doors in the fall of 2019, hosting the Midland Chamber of
Commerce’s Annual Meeting for their first official event. Continue the agreement with the City
that was in place for the Midland Center, the Chamber continues to provide administrative services and
management oversight of the Bush Convention Center.
■ 2020: Centennial Park
In 2020, Centennial Park officially opened in the heart of Downtown Midland. The Midland Chamber was
honored to have the opportunity to assist in its beginnings by aiding in managing the park during its
first year of operations. Located next to the Bush Convention Center, this premiere greenspace is
operated, programmed, and managed by the Midland Downtown Park Conservancy to transform two central
blocks in downtown Midland into a vibrant outdoor destination.
■ 2020: 4-Star Accreditation from US Chamber of Commerce
In 2020, the Midland Chamber was honored with four-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber.
■ 2024: 100th Anniversary
In 2024, the Midland Chamber celebrated its 100th Anniversary. The year was filled with celebrations
related to our deep history and our bright future.
