Henry W. Vander Plaat, Sr., of Vander Plaat Memorial Home, in 1951 founded and became the first president of the Chamber of Commerce. He is credited with organizing the group of businessmen to more effectively serve the needs of the community. He was also instrumental in many other areas of public life in the Borough of Paramus.

The Paramus Chamber of Commerce is administered by the president, eighteen directors, Past presidents, executive secretary and an office staff. Over the years they have worked closely with the Borough officials in the interest of all businesses in Paramus and for the welfare of the local citizens.

Some of their accomplishments include winning an award in a national contest to clean up and beautify our towns and cities. Through their efforts in working with local and state officials, they were able to work out a Sign Identification Program for the Shopping Centers, so that motorists traveling on Routes 4 and 17 could easily find the various shopping centers. Paramus was the only borough or city in the state that the State Highway Department authorized to use such identification signs. The Chamber was instrumental in assisting the aquisition of a modern post office building in Paramus; And several years ago sponsored a very successful Miss Paramus Contest. Recently, they organized the Blood Association of Paramus to assist the residents in need of blood.

The Paramus Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest Chambers in the State of New Jersey, consisting of over 325 members. They are a voluntary organization supported by the forward looking people who do business in Paramus, and their officers are elected.

The Chamber's functions are as follows:

• Work through committees for industrial, civic, and retail on parking, traffic, national, state, county and borough problems.
• Cooperate with all community organizations and Chamber members.
• Act as an information center and handle complaints registered against its members.
• Represent Paramus business interest wherever and whenever occasion demands.
• Obtain information for our members, through cooperative agreements with 3700 other Chambers of Commerce in the United States.
• Respond to all inquiries regarding the Paramus area.
• Distribute the monthly Newsletter about our members, and the Paramus Business Community.

Paramus Chamber of Commerce is located at 58 East Midland Ave. The current Chairperson is Joseph L. Pedone of the Greater Alliance Federal Credit Union.