The United States Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday awarded the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce with accreditation for its &8220;sound policies, effective organizational procedures and positive impact on the community,&8221; according to a news release.

&8220;Accreditation recognizes chambers for their high standards of practice, full accountability to members, and steadfast commitment to community,&8221; said Thomas J. Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. &8220;We applaud these organizations for advancing these principles of free enterprise.&8221;

Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. To receive accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs and technology. This extensive self-review can take three to six months to complete, the news release states.

&8220;Accreditation by the United States Chamber of Commerce provides our members with the assurance that we continue to perform at a high level,&8221; said Randy Kehr, executive director of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. &8220;Of the 6,936 chambers in the United States, only 306 of them are accredited placing us in the top 4 percent of all chambers in the U.S.&8221;

Local chambers are rated &8220;Accredited,&8221; &8220;3 Stars,&8221; &8220;4 Stars,&8221; or &8220;5 Stars.&8221; Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce was rated &8220;Accredited.&8221;

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world&8217;s largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce continues to pursue its mission statement: &8220;Promote and develop a healthy and positive business climate and improve the quality of life in the Albert Lea-Freeborn County area.&8221;