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Chamber of Commerce History
Hardin County Chamber of Commerce
Local businessmen started the Kenton Area Chamber of Commerce in the early 1900’s. Existing records indicate the Organizational Meeting of Directors was held on June 23, 1920.
While not much history of the Chamber through the years is available, we know the influential leadership of many prominent Kenton businessmen, which are included in the list below, guided the organization. The Chamber was incorporated on March 20, 1964.
The 90’s brought an era of change to the Chamber, both locally and worldwide. They are now considered proactive business advocates rather than retail promotion’s coordinators. The change began here when on February 5, 1991 the articles of incorporation were amended to change the name from the Kenton Area Chamber of Commerce to the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce. The expansion in the name and coverage was intended to better reflect how regional our world has become. The Chamber’s economic development and tourism efforts were focused on the entire county. Reflecting the increased activity in those areas, the Economic Development Council and the Tourist & Convention Bureau were formed under the umbrella of the Chamber and later incorporated as individual entities.
The Hardin County Chamber of Commerce continues to provide support, service and information for business, industry and the community. The Chamber promotes business development through seminars and training, as well as offering numerous savings plans to benefit member businesses. The Chamber Gold Gift Certificate program provides the gift of choice and generates thousands of dollars for Hardin County Businesses. For over 85 years the Chamber has made a substantial impact on the community in the areas of business, economic development and quality of life.
On September 1, 2006 the Chamber merged with EDC, TCB and Square Repair to form the Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance.
Past Chairs
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Located 3rd floor over AAA office
1914 & 15 - William Kraus
1916 - Eldon Smith
Located over Schultz store
1917 - Eldon Smith
1918 & 19 - James H. Allen Sr. 1920 & 21 - James V. Conner
1922 - C.E. Nash
Located St. Nicholas Hotel
1923 - C.E. Nash
1924 & 25- James H. Allen Sr.
1927 & 28 - Herman Neu
Moved to Weaver Hotel
1929& 30- Neil Ahlefeld
1931 & 32- L.S. Bixler
1933 &34 - John Ryan
1935 & 36- Carl Broseke
1937 - Ellis McFarland
1943 & 44 - Ralph Yauger
1945 & 46 - Howard Bailey
1947 & 48 - Walter Gust
1949 - 53 - Walker Dickinson
Located AAA office
1954 - Don Temple
1955 - Don Temple/Ted Auger
1956 & 57- John Gramlich
1958 & 59 - Bob Moser
1960 & 61- Leo Bernard
1962 - Neil Bradley
1963 - Harry Case
March 20, 1964 Date of Inc.
1964 - William Watson
1965 - Stuart Rogers
1966 - Bud Winzenried
1967 - William Furbush
1968 - William Furbush
1969 - James H. Jackson 1970 - Tony Mihely
1971 - Gene Dillion
1972 - Carl Kirkland
Moved to 8 N. Main Street
1973 - Lorain Basinger
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1974 - Holmes Stine
1975 - Gary Richards
1976 - Tom Jennings/E.R. Koch
1977 - Muriel Hogue
1978 - Gary Richards
1979 - Muriel Hogue
1980 & 81 - Jerry Rush
1982 - Jeff Barnes
1983 - Keith Gensheimer
1984 - Gordon Gatien
1985 - Randy Rogers
1986 - Robert Temple
1987 - Robert Brown
1988 - Dale Leas
1989 - Bill McClain
1990 - Tom Carrig
1991 - Chuck Dixon
1992 - Bob Szuch
1993 - Sue Harrison
1994 - Don Sabol
1995 - Anne Boston
1996 - Mariann Royer
Moved to 100 W. Franklin St.
(Liberty Bank Building)
previous location was
118 S. Main St.
1997 - Dick Conklin
1998 - LouAnn Harrold
1999 - Jalene Kin
2000 - Bob Gossard
July 8, 2001,
Moved to 809 Fontaine St.
(International Paper Bldg.)
2001 - Rose Zuchetto
Aug. 28, 2001,
Moved to 225 S. Detroit St.
(COC, EDC & UW purchased bldg)
2002 - Ruth Haushalter
2003 - Mandy France
2004 - Matt Jennings
2005 - Joyce rostorfer
2006 - Bev Bahr
Sept. 1, 2006 merged with EDC & TCB to form Hardin Co. Chamber Business Alliance
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