The Sanford Area Growth Alliance is a merger between the Sanford Area Chamber of Commerce and the Lee County Economic Development Corporation (EDC). This merger of these two organizations was a result of the need to broaden the economic development program of Lee County and capitalize on the synergies and strengths of each organization. The EDC historically focused on industrial recruitment, and the Chamber focused on retail development and quality of life. Both organizations saw a need to form a comprehensive approach to economic development in order to better support long-term, sustainable growth.