Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce

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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

City Directories

Directory


President and Vice President

YEARS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT
1900- Walter D. Foss Example
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Example John Ziegler Example
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- 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.

Slogans

Historical documents

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Gallery

Business Letterheads

Business Photos

Newspaper articles

Newspaper full-text articles

Newspaper ads

References


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