Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce

Current Contact Information
Address	377 W. Liberty St.
City, State, Zip	Wooster, Ohio 44691
Phone	Phone: (330) 262-5735
Contact Person	Michelle Rothgery
Contact Title	Administrative Assistant
Last updated	2020-11

Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce

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Type	Chamber of Commerce
Industry	Other Services
Fate	Active
Predecessor(s)	Wooster Board of Trade; Wooster Chamber of Commerce
Founded	Wooster, Ohio (1908 (1908))
Headquarters	Wooster, Ohio, United States
Number of locations	377 W Liberty St., Wooster, Ohio
Key people	Justin Starlin, 2013-2020; Samira Zimmerly, 2010-Present ; Katie Foster; Lauren Behrednsen; Michelle Rothgery; Angela Withrow-Chenevey; Alyssa Cramer
Services	Networking, Advocacy, Visibility, Professional Development, Opportunities, Credibility
Website	woosterchamber.com

Locations

• 377 W. Liberty St., Wooster, Ohio 44691

Directory

Annual Dinner Meeting Business After Hours Business Awards Field of Dreams

Leadership Wooster Manufacturing Day Wall of Fame Wayne County Home & Garden Show

Wayne Economic Forum Winter Wonderland Woosterfest Young Professionals

Newspaper Citations

President and Vice President

PHOTO	YEARS	PRESIDENT	VICE PRESIDENT
	1900-	Walter D. Foss	Example
	Example	Example	Example
	Example	Example	Example
	Example	Example	Example
	Example	Example	Example
	Example	Example	Example
	Example	John Ziegler	Example
	Example	Example	Example
	Example	Example	Example
	Example	Example	Example
	Example	Example	Example
	Example	Example	Example
	-Oct 2007	Mike Lezak	Example
	May 2008-2012	Jeff Griffin	Example
	-1999	Jack O'Donnell	Example
	Interm	Daryl Perrine	Example
	1999-	Dwight Mathias	Example
	July 2000-	Al Miller	Example
	2013-2020	Justin Starlin	Samira Zimmerly
	2020-	Samira Zimmerly	Michelle Rothgery

Comprehensive History

Wooster Board of Trade In 1900, Walter D. Foss, President of Wooster Brush Company, The served as the first President of the Wooster Board of Trade.

Wooster Board of Trade Band

Wooster Chamber of Commerce In 1950, Wooster Board of Trade members voted to change the name to the Wooster Chamber of Commerce.

Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce In 1982, with the scope of activities now being initiated by the Wooster Chamber of Commerce necessitated the change in name to the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce.

Historical documents

Highlights to the Official Minutes

• Excerpts of Minutes from 90 Years of Looking to the Future: 1900-1990

1950

• Chamber members voted 320 YES, 8 NO to change the name of the Wooster Board of Trade to the Wooster Chamber of Commerce.
• A committee composed of Chamber and service club members was appointed to raise money for the July 4th fireworks, "since the Mayor was unable to get clubs to contribute because slot machines are out."
• A Truck Rerouting Committee was formed to seek an alternate route around Wooster for through truck traffic.
• The Chamber entertained the new teachers on their first day in Wooster, showing them points of interest and taking them to dinner.
• The downtown one-way traffic plan, tried during the Christmas season to speed up traffic and provide more parking, worked so well, this Chamber recommended plan was made permanent by city ordinance in February 1951.

1951

• Borg-Warner negotiated an option with the property owner for 30 acres of land west of Wooster.
• The Courtesy Fund for parking meters began. Police put a nickel in the expired parking meter and an envelope on the car windshield asking return of a nickel to the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber started this fund with $10.00, and after $20.00 was deposited in meters, had $9.50 remaining.
• Two hundred thousand seals, commemorating Wooster as "the home of the first Christmas tree," were given to members and the area public. A lighted Christmas tree was placed at the tomb of August Imgard, who erected this "first tree" in Wooster in 1847.
• A list of assets indicated the Chamber still owned a total of 80 acres of land in various Wooster locations.

1952

• Mr. C. E. McCarley was selected as the next Executive Secretary, following the resignation of Mr. Barker.
• The telephone company proposed the installation of a dial telephone system in Wooster, and a substantial rate increase.
• Don Noble reported that a Safety Council would soon be formed for the industrial group. The first Safety Council Awards Banquet was held April 25, 1954.
• An Annexation Committee was appointed to seek areas that should be annexed, and to encourage such annexation.

1953

• Formation of a Tree Commission was recommended to City Council by the Civic Projects Committee. The Chamber donated $500 toward the initial tree survey, and in 1955, when the Tree Commission was established to plan a shade tree planting and replacement program on city owned or controlled land, the Chamber appointed the first members to serve on this commission.

1954

• The success of a 6-week adult education course, sponsored by Borg-Warner and the Wooster Rubber Co. in the fall of 1953, led to the Chamber's five-year involvement with Adult Education. The Chamber began by offering, at the College of Wooster, one 13-week course open to the general public. Within five years, this program had grown to 16 different courses with over 350 adults participating. In 1958, feeling this adult education program should become a permanent part of the community, the Chamber so notified the Board of Education, and relinquished sponsorship.
• In May, following a short concert at the board meeting by a group of boys ages 16-25, Lee Parker announced the J. C.s would like to sponsor these musicians, and their immediate need was drums. After being given $200 by the Chamber to purchase a sufficient number of drums, the Junior Chamber Community Band was practicing weekly at the radio station.
• An October luncheon welcomed executives of the Mardigian Corporation.

1955

• The formation of Wooster Parking, Inc. addressed the need for additional downtown parking lots. The majority of $37,000 worth of stock in that corporation was sold for the purchase of suitable downtown properties.
• The Chamber gave support to the Arbor Day program which resulted in the planting of over 3,000 dogwood trees in the city, voted to furnish 1st and 2nd prizes for the Soap Box Derby, and decorated downtown for the Miss Ohio Contest.
• The Solicitation Committee "kept strict guard on and screening of off-color, out-of-town promoters who strike at our community almost daily."

1956

• Following extensive remodeling of the old Straub's Meat Market on the northeast corner of Public Square, the Chamber invited guests to an open house celebration at their new office there in April 1957.

1957

• If enough effort was put forth, the board felt that a United Fund for Wooster could be established. The Chamber spearheaded the groundwork to make the United Fund a reality.
• At the request of the Manufacturers Association, the Chamber circulated petitions to put the issue of "fast time" on the May ballot.
• A committee was appointed to talk to the Mayor regarding the lack of street repair in the city.
• The Board of Directors voted favoring a celebration in connection with the city's 150th anniversary. Executive Secretary McCarley was named Vice Chairman of the celebration planning committee.

1958

• Projects that needed to have the Chamber's support at once, and were given top priority in the Chamber of Commerce work program, included: parking, airport improvement, and the by-pass.
• In July, an option was taken on the Shapiro lot downtown. This lot was to be cleared off immediately and put in shape for Dollar Day.
• In December, when the owner of another downtown parking lot property refused an option extension, the Chamber borrowed the money to purchase this property, and held it until repayment could be made by the city.

1959

• After assessing the inadequacies of the present airport, Les Gigax, Chairman of the Airport Committee, recommended that a site be secured for a new airport. However, a closed door meeting with city officials produced the decision to, at this time, raise funds to make improvements at the present location.
• Under a program being supervised by the State Department, the Chamber was asked by the Bolivian Chamber of Commerce to formally invite some industrialists from La Paz to visit Wooster. Following their visit in March 1960, a letter of appreciation was sent to all of Wooster "who so cordially received the group."
• Livingston Furniture Co. was welcomed to Wooster with a reception given by the Chamber.

1960

• A house and lot, the first house south of the old Y.M.C.A., was purchased by the Chamber for the city's use.
• Twenty-four acres of

Timeline

• 1892 - The Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station moved from the University of Columbus, to Wooster, Ohio led by proactive lobbying efforts of the Wooster Board of Trade.

• 1900 - Wooster Board of Trade was organized by Walter D. Foss, as the first President.

• 1908 - December 14, The Wooster Board of Trade is officially founded as an organization. Incorporated in State of Ohio as a not for profit organization.

• 1912 - The Wayne County Fair Board asked that the businessmen of Wooster close their places of business for two days during the Wayne County Fair.

• 1913 - The Good Roads Committee was successful in securing paved routes through Wooster; now known as The Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30) and State Route 3.

• 1917 - Board of Trade committed to raising one million dollars for the University of Wooster, which would support the expansion of its campus in Wooster.

• 1918 - Contracts are closed by the New Industry Committee with the Akron Brass Company and the Wooster Rubber Company (Rubbermaid).

• 1921 - The Board purchases property in the Christmas Run Valley, and retains an architect to design what is now "Christmas Run Park."

• 1928 - 127 acres, on the northeast end of town is purchased by the Board at a cost of $11,500, for the purpose of establishing a County airport.

• 1941 - To alleviate the pressing need for parking spaces in downtown, the Board purchased two lots for business owners to park during business hours.

• 1947 - The Board of Trade established a new railroad sighting that attracted Silver Brothers Inc, the Wooster Rubber Company, Gerstenslagers, Wooster Brass, International Paper Company, and Bauer Manufacturing Company.

• 1950 - Wooster Board of Trade members voted to change the name to Wooster Chamber of Commerce.

• 1952 - The Chamber was approve by the State of Ohio as one of the first organizations with a recognized Safety Council, formed to support industrial members.

• 1965 - Serious ramifications facing the city, due to lack of income, led to the formation of a Chamber resolution that a city income tax was essential. Voter approval of this issue was due in large measure to the Chamber's efforts.

• 1966 - The board purchased a 45 acre parcel of land on Old Mansfield Road. The land was successfully sold to Frito-Lay, Bell and Howell, and Akron Brass Company.

• 1974 - Wooster Chamber plays an intricate role in securing the All-American City Award for the City of Wooster, by sending a delegation to San Diego, California.

• 1977 - The Chamber strong opposed the city's first flood way zoning ordinance, city the legislation could cause the lost of vital industrial and commercial investments.

• 1978 - The newly created Wayne County Community Foundation was housed in the Chamber office until it could become self sustaining.

• 1982 - The Wooster Chamber changed its name to the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce to better identify the increased involvement and range of projects being undertaken.

• 1983 - Realizing the economic impact of the tourism industry, the Chamber played a major role in the creation of the Wayne County Visitor & Conventions Bureau to provide ongoing promotion of Wayne County as a tourist destination.

• 1984 - Chamber's Directors named a Downtown Revitalization Committee to address downtown concerns.

• 1986 - The Chamber actively worked with City Officials in extending utilities to Venture Blvd, which assisted the relocation of Seaman Corporation from Millersburg to Wooster.

• 1988 - Assistance was granted to Scot Industries of Lone Star, Texas in the construction of a 105,000 sq. ft. facility just west of the Wooster corporation limits.

• 1991 - Chamber led leadership recognized the important of continual and concentrated Economic Development efforts, by founding the Wayne County Economic Development Council, a county wide ED agency for Wayne County.

• 1992 - Developer Jerry Baker's northend development (now Wooster's large retail area) receives strong public support from the Chamber Board and Membership.

• 1994 - Efforts to secure public support for the new Wooster High School is successful, as the door to the new facility open to study and public a like.

• 2004 - Expanded efforts in Community and Economic Development are a top priority for the Chamber and City Officials, as the creation of the Community Tax Incentive District is downtown is created.

• 2008 - The demolition and subsequent redevelopment of the Freedlander site is realized through strong public support efforts.

• 2014 - Chamber hosts CEO Joe Kanfer of Gojo Industries Inc and the Chamber's Wayne Economic Forum, such efforts and connections lead to further exploration into the company expanding at the former Rubbermaid Facility.

• 2016 - Chamber delegation travel to Germany to meet with Schaeffler Board and Ownership to discuss their long time growth plans for Wooster. The trip secures a significant expansion and develops a closer relation with Wayne County's largest employer.

What Links Here

• Wooster Chamber of Commerce ‎ (← links)
• Template:Newspaper article ref ‎ (← links)
• Wayne County Common Good Linkage Team ‎ (← links)
• Wooster Board of Trade ‎ (← links)
• Jackwood Law Office ‎ (← links)
• Stanley R. Welty Jr. ‎ (← links)
• Albert Burney Huff ‎ (← links)
• Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce. Business Awards ‎ (← links)
• John Herman Ziegler ‎ (← links)
• Arden Daniel Ramseyer ‎ (← links)
• Joseph Lloyd Retzler ‎ (← links)
• Wooster Brush Presidents ‎ (← links)
• Gallery of Wooster Brush ‎ (← links)
• Wooster City Hall (1887) Gallery ‎ (← links)
• GERSTCO Media Gallery ‎ (← links)
• File:Chamber of Commerce display window cropped.jpg ‎ (← links)
• File:StitchSCAN1911-SCAN1912.JPG ‎ (← links)
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