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

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

President and Vice President

YEARS	PRESIDENT	VICE PRESIDENT
1900-	Walter D. Foss	Example
Example	Example	Example
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- Oct 2007	Mike Lezak	Example
May 2008-	Jeff Griffin	Example
-1999	Jack O'Donnell	Example
Interm	Daryl Perrine	Example
1999-	Dwight Mathias	Example
Example	Example	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.

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)
• File:SCAN1913.JPG ‎ (← links)
• File:SCAN1915.JPG ‎ (← links)
• File:SCAN1914.JPG ‎ (← links)
• File:SCAN1919.JPG ‎ (← links)
• File:SCAN1910.JPG ‎ (← links)

Newspaper articles

Newspaper citations with no attached images

1990

• February 15, 1999: "Group Has Helped Wooster Grow for Quarter Century", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• February 18, 1999: "Rubbermaid to Expand in Wooster", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• February 24, 1999: "Technology Again Showcased at County's Business Fair", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• March 07, 1999: "City Leaders Mourn Death of O'Donnell", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• March 08, 1999: "Jack O'Donnell", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• March 11, 1999: "Good Friends Recall Great Times They Spent With Jack O'Donnell", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• June 03, 1999: "Leadership Wooster Graduates Another Class", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• July 28, 1999: "First 130 Years A Good Start For Whitaker-Myers Insurance", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• July 30, 1999: "SCORE Named Chapter of Year", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• August 16, 1999: "Wooster Chamber Picks New President", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• November 02, 1999: "City Hires Development Council", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• November 04, 1999: "Main Street Inc. Celebrates The Best of Wooster's Downtown", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• November 20, 1999: "Window Wonderland: Downtown Wooster Unveils Holiday Season", The Daily Record, p. 0.

2008

• January 24, 2008: "Wooster Chamber of Commerce Wall of Fame A Lifelong Commitment Hawkinses Saluted for Hard", The Daily Record, {Cite page.

| section = Local News | author = Bryan Schaaf }}

• January 25, 2008: "Lezack's Absence Leaves Indelible Mark on Community" by Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• January 25, 2008: "Study Shows County Has Lowest Cost of Living" by Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• January 25, 2008: "Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Wayne Savings, Hawkinses" by Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• February 23, 2008: "Wooster Unveils New Portable 'Park' Unit" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• June 23, 2008: "Walk-run for Wellness" by Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• April 23, 2008: "President's Cookbook Find Out How Your Garden Grows Annual Show is Saturday and Sunday" by Lydia Gehring, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• May 09, 2008: "Griffin Is New Chamber Director" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• May 09, 2008: "A Good Choice", The Daily Record, p. 123.

• May 12, 2008: "More Trolley Tours in Fall" by Paul Locher, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• June 20, 2008: "Giving 150 Percent Wooster Chamber Recognizes Efforts of Community's Small Business" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• July 02, 2008: "President's Cookbook Dreams Will Come True Special Olympians and Business Partners to..." by Lydia Gehring, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• July 07, 2008: "Parade Was Good for Downtown Business" by Christy Johnson, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• August 10, 2008: "Woosterfest Scheduled Sept. 26-27", The Daily Record, p. 123.

• August 27, 2008: "President's Cookbooks Cornhole Tourney Part of Woosterfest" by Lydia Gehring, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• September 09, 2008: "Wooster Growth Continues Talks with Buckeye Supply" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• September 26, 2008: "Wooster Chamber Plans to Recreate Old Photo", The Daily Record, p. 123.

• May 08, 10: "Now and Then: Chamber Recreates Photo from 1908" by Linda Hall, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• October 19, 2008: "List of Time Capsule Items", The Daily Record, p. 123.

• October 21, 2008: "No Action Yet on Job Creation Tax Credit" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• November 04, 2008: "Job Creation Tax Credit Gets OK" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• November 07, 2008: "Beall Avenue Businesses Say Project Won't Slow Them Down" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• November 21, 2008: "Wooster to Kickoff Christmas Celebration Nov. 30" by Paul Locher, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• November 30, 2008: "Next Year's Budget Back on Council's Agenda" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• December 08, 2008: "Bed Tax Revenue Up in Wooster" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• December 10, 2008: "Board of Trade Forms in Early 1900s, Meant to Shake Up Development" by Paul Locher, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• December 16, 2008: "College Students Create Business Plan for Competition" by Linda Hall, The Daily Record, p. 123.

2009

• January 23, 2009: "Instead of Trinkets, Company Gives $5,000 to Startzman Clinic" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• January 25, 2009: "Commentary: Chamber is 'Voice for Business'" by Jeff Griffin, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• January 25, 2009: "Community Commitment Hundreds Attended the Festivities Thursday Night", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• January 25, 2009: "Wayne County One of Most Affordable" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• February 17, 2009: "'Crash Course' Attracts Winemakers, Growers" by Chris Leonard, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• February 17, 2009: "Request for Products Has Tekfor Looking to Grow" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• February 25, 2009: "Wooster's Webb Atlas a Small Business Victim to Declining Economy" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• March 01, 2009: "Commentary: D. - C. to Wooster Connection" by Jeff Griffin, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• March 03, 2009: "Return Unused Gift Certificates to Chamber for Possible Reimbursement" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• March 10, 2009: "Business Successes Get National Recognition" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• March 13, 2009: "Gee Says Ohio at Turning Point in History" by Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• March 20, 2009: "Tournament Play a 'Nice Diversion'" by Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• April 05, 2009: "Commentary: Find the Ups in Economic Storm" by Jeff Griffin, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• April 19, 2009: "Preparation Begins for All-American Presentation" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• April 23, 2009: "Bogus Rumors About Buehler's Fresh Foods" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• April 26, 2009: "Commentary: Diversity at Work in Wooster" by Jeff Griffin, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• May 27, 2009: "President's Cookbook An Art to Serving the Community" by Lydia Gehring, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• June 14, 2009: "Diverse Base Helps City Weather Rubbermaid Closing" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• June 19, 2009: "Little Pieces of Each City" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• June 24, 2009: "President's Cookbook Making Dreams Into a Reality Annual Fundraiser to Benefit Special Olympics" by Lydia Gehring, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• June 24, 2009: "Recipes", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• July 17, 2009: "Wooster on CNN Money List" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• July 22, 2009: "TechniGraphics Takes a Step Toward Future with University" by Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• July 31, 2009: "Numbers for June Show Wayne at 10.7 Percent" by Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• August 02, 2009: "Commentary: Junior Leadership Soon to Be Born" by Jeff Griffin, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• August 16, 2009: "Capital Key to Economic Recovery Area Business Leaders Tend to Believe Worst is Over" by Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• August 16, 2009: "Project Aims to Keep Dollars Local, Independent Businesses Strong" by Chris Kick, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• August 26, 2009: "President's Cookbook Woosterfest 2009 Offers Family Fun Changes Coming to Beer Barrel Race" by Lydia Gehring, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• August 29, 2009: "Buildings Now Store Memories: Store Owner Says 'To See Them Close, It's Sad. We Just Have to Keep..."" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• September 13, 2009: "Campbell Named Chamber's Business of the Year" by Jane Doe, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• September 28, 2009: "Officials Cautious As Jobless Rate Falls" by Katy Ganz and Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• October 03, 2009: "Storms Didn't STop the Fun at 25th Annual Woosterfest" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• October 04, 2009: "Steins, Twists and Turns All a Part of Woosterfest" by Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• November 06, 2009: "Howey House Funding", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• November 08, 2009: "Commentary: Tradition a Part of Wooster's Future", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• November 09, 2009: "College and Community Combine Efforts to Collect Donations" by Chris Leonard, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• November 15, 2009: "Main Street Wooster had Positive Run in Past Year" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• November 19, 1999: "Bed Tax to Benefit Three Economic Development Entities" by Bryan Schaaf, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• November 22, 1999: "Streeter to Throw the 'Big Switch'" by Paul Locher, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• November 30, 2009: "Legislators Talk Recession, Recovery During Panel Discussion Breakfast" by Bobby Warren, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• November 30, 1999: "Unemployment Up Slightly, Still Better Than Average" by Bobby Warren and Christine L. Pratt, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• December 06, 2009: "Commentary: Chamber Benefits Varied and Many" by Jeff Griffin, The Daily Record, p. 0.

2019

• January 31, 2019: "No Bidders for Former Nursing Home; County Buys Larwill Properties" by Tami Mosser, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• February 22, 2019: "Gouda Closes After Defaulting on Rent" by Jack Rooney, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• March 01, 2019: "Starlin Honored as Statewide Chamber of Commerce Professional of the Year" by Jack Rooney, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• April 02, 2019: "Beaverson Leaves Lasting Mark on Fire, EMS Community" by Emily Morgan, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• April 11, 2019: "Marc's 'Coming Soon' to old KMart Building", The Daily Record, p. 123.

• April 20, 2019: "Wayne County Home and Garden Show to Feature a Wine Garden and Live Entertainment" by Dan Starcher, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• April 20, 2019: "More Than 170 Vendors to Be at Home, Garden Show", The Daily Record, p. 123.

• July 01, 2019: "Chick-fil-A Food Truck Coming to Wooster on Wednesday" by Emily Morgan, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• July 11, 2019: "Field of Dreams: A Game Like No Other", The Daily Record, p. 123.

• July 26, 2019: "Chamber Focused on 'Fixers' for Small Businesses of the Year" by Jack Rooney, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• August 08, 2019: "Historic Lincoln Highway Brings Out Vendors, Cars" by Noelle Bye, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• September 06, 2019: "Rea, Weaver Award Horn Redevelopment Opportunity" by Tami Mosser, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• September 22, 2019: "Kinderplatz Returns with Fun Activities for Kids" by Linda Hall, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• September 27, 2019: "With the Keg Tapped, Woosterfest 2019 Opens", The Daily Record, p. 123.

• September 28, 2019: "Porter May is Top Dog in Weiner Race at Woosterfest" by Kevin Lynch, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• September 30, 2019: "Proposed Subdivision in North Wooster Pulled by Developer" by Emily Morgan, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• October 03, 2019: "Farmers National Bank Marks Shreve Opening with Ribbon Cutting, Open House", The Daily Record, p. 123.

• October 29, 2019: "Chamber of Commerce Produces Wooster Candidate Videos" by Jack Rooney, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• November 13, 2019: "Wooster Chamber to Honor Steiner, PRC-Saltillo" by Jack Rooney, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• November 19, 2019: "Wayne County Fair Event Center Already Booking Many Events" by Emily Morgan, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• November 19, 2019: "Wooster City Council Turns Down Fair Board Request for Share of Bed Tax Money" by Jack Rooney, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• December 05, 2019: "Quarter Century of Leadership -- Sheron Celebrated for 25 Years As Wooster Hospital's CEO" by Linda Hall, The Daily Record, p. 123.

• December 28, 2019: "Top 10 Stories of 2019: New Wayne County Event Center Offers Endless Possibilities" by Emily Morgan, The Daily Record, p. 123.

2020

• July 10, 2020: "Wooster Chamber Seeks New President for Fall" by Samantha Ickes, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• August 07, 2010: "Wooster Chamber Announces New President" by Samantha Ickes, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• August 10, 2020: "Wooster Chamber Announces New President" by Samantha Ickes, The Daily Record, p. 3.

• August 19, 2020: "Orrville Community Day, Woosterfest Canceled for 2020", The Daily Record, p. 0.

• October 04, 2020: "Downtown Businesses See Increased Weekend Traffic Thanks to DORA" by Samantha Ickes, The Daily Record, p. 0.

• October 6, 2020: "Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New President" by Samantha Ickes, The Daily Record, p. 0.

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)
• File:SCAN1913.JPG ‎ (← links)
• File:SCAN1915.JPG ‎ (← links)
• File:SCAN1914.JPG ‎ (← links)
• File:SCAN1919.JPG ‎ (← links)
• File:SCAN1910.JPG ‎ (← links)