Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Bonduel merchants are forming a new chamber of commerce with the dual objectives of promoting existing businesses and attracting more.
It will be the first time in many years that the Shawano County community of 1,400 will have its own chamber of commerce.
Village President Sharon Wussow said she hopes the new Bonduel Area Chamber of Commerce will persuade residents to shop locally and support their hometown businesses.
“It will show pride in the community,” Wussow said.
What started with a few preliminary meetings earlier this year culminated Wednesday in the chamber’s first public gathering. About a dozen business representatives and others gathered at Village Hall to discuss bylaws, membership dues and goals.
The first major public event will be a block party Aug. 28 in the village’s downtown, featuring live music from the band known as Rocker.
“We want to get on the map,” said Amy Thusius, one of the business representatives involved in starting the chamber.
Thusius, who works at Meadow View Estates assisted living center, said many people are surprised to learn that Bonduel has more than 200 businesses. As work progresses on getting the chamber of commerce started, she said, many business owners and employees are anxious to join.
“It’s ready to roll,” she said.
Others who have been involved in the effort include Bill Kolaske of the Red Rooster Cafe, Wayne Ort of Wayne’s Place Bar and Grill, and Lil Duquaine of World Wide Sign Systems.
Kolaske, who is president of the chamber’s steering committee, told others at Wednesday’s gathering that enthusiasm for the chamber is running high. Businesses have already donated money, others have committed to memberships and townsfolk seem excited.
The community has a chance to raise its profile and promote its businesses, Kolaske said.
“Bonduel can be a really great place, if we want to make it,” he said.
Ort said he suspects a lot of businesses in Bonduel are unknown, even to local residents. He hopes the chamber will promote the business community in a way that steers more customers to all local businesses.
“It’ll boost everybody,” he said.
Another supporter of the chamber is Tom Haase, owner of Excel Patterns Inc., a machine shop located in the Bonduel business park.
Haase said he would like to see more businesses in the park, and he hopes the chamber can elevate Bonduel as a place to create jobs and economic activity.
“I would like to see that growth,” he said.