This North Texas chamber of commerce the smallest to earn a five-star national rating

Proving you don’t have to be a giant entity to receive a nationally recognized honor, the East Parker Chamber of Commerce recently made history.

EPCC President and CEO Lisa Flowers said the organization became the smallest ever to be honored with five-star accreditation from the United States Chamber of Commerce. They received the award for their sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community.

EPCC, which serves the eastern part of Parker County, including Willow Park, Hudson Oaks and Aledo, is also one of just four such accredited chambers in Texas and one of only 128 across the United States.

“This is a huge accomplishment that could not have been made possible without the help of the chamber board of directors, chamber foundation board members and staff,” Flowers said.

In order to receive accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs and technology. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation, representing the interests of more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit its local economy and positively influence its community,” said Raymond P. Towle, U.S. Chamber Vice President of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”