History

Limited historical records indicate that a Fremont Chamber of Commerce existed in the late twenties and early thirties. However, we are unaware of the exact reason for its folding, but speculate that the war had something to do with the non-continuation of the organization.

The Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County organized in January of 1946. At that time the Chamber had neither a permanent office, furniture, equipment, board of trustees, officers, committees nor program of work. The challenge was to build a strong and effective organization in the shortest time possible.

The organization began with a group of solicitors representing three divisions, Commerce – Service – Industry, seeking financial support across the county. The solicitors had a goal to raise $20,000 for the organization. The first executive secretary, Victor C. Ballenger, was hired in early 1946 to manage the Chamber. 

The three divisions of the Chamber each began with six men per division as their own board, with the eighteen of them making up the first board of trustees of the Chamber of Commerce.

During that first year, the organization identified ten major activities to work on. They included: 1. Housing 2. Industrial Development and Expansion 3. Health, Recreation and Education 4. Water Supply and Sewage Disposal 5. Fire Prevention 6. Local, State and National Affairs 7. Trade Promotion and Rural Relations 8. Solicitations and Excessive Advertising 9. Traffic Safety and Street and Highway 10. Improved Mail Service. 

Late in that first year, (December 23, 1946), the Chamber of Commerce of Sandusky County was incorporated in the State of Ohio, under the purpose of collecting and circulating valuable and useful information relating to the manufacturing, industrial, mercantile and agricultural interests of the County of Sandusky, Ohio; to encourage wise and useful legislation; to aid in the adjustment of controversies and misunderstandings between its members and others; to promote and maintain the general welfare of the manufacturing, industrial, commercial, mercantile and agricultural interests of said county; and generally to promote and maintain the civic, economic, educational, social and general welfare of said county. 

According to the Articles of Incorporation, the following persons served as trustees of the corporation until the first annual meeting:  Howard E. Zink, Herbert P. Tschumy, Sherman J. Bennett, Andrew J. Koch, Paul W. Kridler, and Leo W. Kenny.

A single membership into the organization was $25.  The Chamber staff consisted of the executive director and one secretary. 

During the course of the years, the organization has refined, refocused and redirected its earlier efforts. Advancements in local and state government, and other agencies, allowed some of the specific local needs and interests to be addressed by these new agencies and organizations. Economic development branched into its own organization in the county in 1984. The Small Business Development Center, established through Terra State Community College, was established in 1988. Main Street Fremont began addressing specific downtown revitalization and retention efforts as an organization in 1999. And, at some point the Fremont/Sandusky County Convention & Visitors Bureau was established with the Chamber and then separated into its own organization when a funding stream was identified.

In 1992, the Board of Trustees purchased the Lytle building and leased office space to other organizations as a supplemental funding stream. In 2014, it made the decision to sell the building to Discover Fremont, Ltd. who renovated the building to include additional office space, a modernized conference room, and studio apartments on the second floor. The Chamber entrance moved to the north side of the building changing its address from 101 South Front Street to 215 Croghan Street.

As it was in the beginning, today the Chamber is organized, funded, directed, operated and accountable to its business investors (members). From its beginning, the Chamber has been focused on developing and conducting a program of work that meets the responsibility it holds to members and to the community which it serves. Current membership benefits include incredible savings and educational programs, and opportunities to get noticed and build connections.

The organization operates under a standing committee structure rather than an issue-driven one as in the early years. The current committees of the organization include: Ambassadors, Agriculture, By-Laws, Education & Workforce Development, Executive, Finance, Health & Wellness, Legislative, Membership & Marketing, and Nominating. The Sandusky County Safety Council is also managed through the Chamber office.

Organizations that are closely affiliated with the Chamber include the Sandusky County Economic Development Corporation, Leadership Sandusky County, Downtown Fremont, Inc. and the Sandusky County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Today, our membership averages around 340 businesses and our base business membership rate (business with up to 3 full-time employees) is $250 with special rates for educational institutions and home-based businesses. The Chamber staff consists of one full-time Director, a full-time Program & Events Coordinator, a part-time Marketing & Membership Coordinator, and a part-time Operations Coordinator.