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Gas City Area Chamber of Commerce

316 East Main Street
765-674-7545

Mission:

To promote, nurture and develop the community and character of the Gas City Area through cooperative efforts from business, industry and education.

About Us:

In January 1992, a group of concerned business men and women met in a local restaurant to discuss the need for a Chamber of Commerce in the Gas City Area. Fourteen individuals met on that day and after a great deal of discussion, it was decided that a Chamber would indeed be an asset to the Gas City Community. These 14 individuals would serve as the distinguished charter members and prove instrumental in developing the Gas City Area Chamber of Commerce. First priorities for Chamber involvement included park development, refurbishment of the downtown area, and a city brochure.

Interim Officers were elected and a steering committee appointed. After eight weeks of collaboration by-laws had been written, the officers had filed for incorporation, a mission statement was developed, a fee structure proposed, publicity organized, membership and public relations committees appointed, and a public information meeting announced.

The Marion Grant County Chamber offered to work in cooperation with the Gas City Area Chamber. Together it was felt they would provide more benefits for the entire county. Forty-seven business leaders attended the first public information meeting. Twenty-seven businesses made application at that meeting and others stated they would be joining within the week.

The membership goal at the inception was 40 charter memberships. By March the membership goal would be far surpassed and a new goal of 100 members was set with the target date being the annual April meeting.

The first formed meeting of the Gas City Area Chamber of Commerce met at 6:30 p.m. at Hontz Hall. Fifty members attended. The Board of Directors and its Officers were elected on May 14, 1992.

The Gas City Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met in various businesses until an office was established for the Chamber, adjacent to Good Neighbor Pharmacy, September 29, 1994. At this time, the Chamber had 132 members.

In January, 1999, the Chamber moved to 316 E. Main Street, Gas City and were 168 members strong with a new goal of 200 members in 2000!

Two hundred and seven (207) members comprise the Gas City Area Chamber membership today (2004). Membership in this “small town” Chamber provides its members with an ongoing flow of business and government information, the opportunity for business exposure and the knowledge that together we are strengthening our business community.