In late 1947 or early 1948 four former directors of the then non-functioning Chamber of Commerce met to re-organize, re-vitalize and re-establish the Chamber of Commerce.

They felt it was impossible to stand still after the war, although a small group in town insisted this was the best thing for the town. In talking to several young men who had just returned from the armed services, it was found that they agreed that the town must grow, population, industry and businesswise. To stagnate would result in other communities growing at our expense. After considerable discussion it was decided that we should act.

The first thing was to organize the Chamber. No membership list existed and only a few individuals that had served as officers previously were left.

A slate of candidates was established and ballots were handed out at a Washington's Birthday banquet being held at the local High School gym. They were presented only to Columbiana and Fairfield Township residents. They were collected and tabulated and a slate of officers was established.

• K.P. Murphy, President
• Maurice Lehman, of Lehman's Hardware, Vice President
• Attorney John Hutson, Secretary
• David Holloway of Holloway and Son, Treasurer

Organizational meetings were held every two weeks and committees were formed. They were an extremely active group that accomplished much in the first year. Chamber committees were successful in promotion of Columbiana and what it had to offer and two new industries were brought in to utilize the existing railroad access.

Signs were erected to promote Columbiana as the "Biggest Little Town in Ohio", brochures were written to promote the town and what it had to offer. The first uniform Christmas decorations and lights for Main Street were designed by the Merchants Committee and paid for by the Chamber of Commerce.