About the Chamber of Commerce

The Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce proudly serves Oak Cliff and Southern Dallas with a membership base approaching 600. We offer a multitude of programs and services in support of our diverse membership base. The Chamber, created in 1920, is one of the oldest in the Dallas area, and is known throughout the area for actively promoting positive economic development and quality of life.

The leadership of the Chamber includes an active Board of Directors presided over by the Chairman of the Board. Our standing committees are involved in economic development, business resource, education, transportation, urban affairs and the beautification of Southern Dallas County. Timely communications with our members is a priority. Our members receive newsletters by mail (newsletters are also archived on our website). We email or fax a weekly calendar, and have a friendly staff to assist our members and community. Our ambassador group hosts ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, networking and member appreciation events. Our luncheon speakers focus on timely issues and allow for member networking.

I encourage you to support our local business community — your support keeps the local community vibrant and promotes growth. A vibrant local economy is critical to a strong
educational system, a healthy housing market and recreational opportunities. I also encourage the community’s continued support of the Chamber through participation in Chamber sponsored events throughout the year.

We are proud of our Chamber’s accomplishment and dedication to helping the local business community through a unified voice over these past 85 years. We will continue to promote mutually beneficial interaction between the business community, local and state government, the DISD school system and library, the police and fire departments and community residents.

Happy 85th Anniversary to the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce!

Joel Sontag
President

Oak Cliff Foundation

The Oak Cliff Foundation was established as a 501c(3) organization to assist in making Oak Cliff a vibrant, healthy and attractive southern Dallas community in which to work, live, conduct business and visit. The Foundation will lead the effort to make Oak Cliff, with an emphasis on Jefferson Boulevard, a place that is attractive and secure for the unique diversity that makes Oak Cliff stand out in southern Dallas; a place that offers a variety of retail, business, residential, cultural and entertainment opportunities for the community.

The Oak Cliff Foundation entered into an agreement with the City of Dallas to be the organization to restore the Texas Theatre and oversee the adaptive re-use of this city landmark as a live performance venue for southern Dallas. The Dallas City Council awarded funding of $1.6 million to this project through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Neighborhood Renaissance Partnership program.

In August 2001, the Oak Cliff Foundation purchased the Texas Theatre. In October 2001, the Texas Theatre was designated a city landmark, and the position of Executive Director was filled in order to manage the development and construction process.

Komatsu Architecture, Inc., Fort Worth, and Phoenix I Restoration and Construction, Dallas, were selected in November 2001 as project architect and contractor, respectively. Phase I of the project is projected for completion by fall of 2005 for use by the Dallas Summer Musicals and the Oak Cliff Community. Phases II and III will include interior and exterior restoration of the historic theater. The Oak Cliff Foundation is currently raising funds of $1 million plus to fulfill its agreement with the City of Dallas for Phase I and to acquire the funds to complete the restoration of the Texas Theatre.

Details of the project and contact information are posted at www.texas-theatre.org.

Chamber Mission

The Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce is a 500-plus member non-profit corporation. Rich in history and tradition, the chamber is actively involved in promoting positive economic development and the quality of life for the Oak Cliff and metro Dallas business community.

The leadership of the Chamber includes an active Board of Directors presided over by the chairman of the Board.

Our members receive bi-monthly newsletters and weekly calendar faxes. We host ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, networking and member appreciation events.

The Chamber’s mission statement is to promote economic development and the quality of life. We consider people to be our most valuable resource. We strive to be a progressive results-oriented organization that meets our members short and long term goals. You can contact the chamber staff at www.oakcliffchamber.org or call 214-943-4567.

We are working hard to ensure that we live up to our responsibility to our membership and to our community.