The Foley Chamber of Commerce was organized in 1944 and James T. Dumas served as president. Dumas said in his Annual Report to the membership that, "The businessmen of Foley and adjoining communities awoke to the fact that we were in need of a Chamber of Commerce to plan and guide our future activities."

The first chamber office was located in the Foley Hotel on West Laurel Avenue and meetings were held in the Palm Theatre next door. The first year (post World War II) there were 212 members at $12 each and bank balance of $705.45.

C. G. Cook, staff director with title of Secretary pointed out, "The multiple services rendered to our members and citizens, to say nothing of hundreds of visitors from out of the city and state who come to your Chamber of Commerce office for all kinds of information about this grand farming section, and fast developing recreational center. During this war-time period, many additional services have been given to our citizens and organizations."