Introduced Version






HOUSE

RESOLUTION No. ___




Introduced by: Kruse


____________________________________




    A HOUSE RESOLUTION to honor the 100th Anniversary of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce.

    Whereas, the Auburn Commercial Club was organized on February 14, 1903;

    Whereas, the name of the organization changed in 1929 to the Chamber of Commerce of Auburn, Indiana;

    Whereas, in 1957 the corporate structure was reorganized and the name was changed to the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Inc.;

    Whereas, in 1903 the organization may have been the successor, to the Auburn Improvement Association which was incorporated December 5, 1895;



    Whereas, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce built the building now housing Hamilton Standard in the 1950's. The foresight of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and its predecessors have proven to be invaluable to healthy growth of the city and county;

    Whereas, in 1919 the Auburn Commercial Club built the building at the northeast corner of East Eighth and South Cedar streets for its headquarters. The building was sold in the early 1960's and the proceeds from the sale of the building have been held as an endowment for ongoing chamber activities;

    Whereas, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce has also been the nucleus of other organizations that have been beneficial to the community. The Auburn-Cord-Dusenberg Festival that started as a committee of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce under the leadership of Del Mar Johnson. This committee was split into two separate not-for-profit corporations in 1972;

    Whereas, the Auburn-Cord-Dusenberg Festival, Inc. continues to shape the festival and the Auburn Automotive Heritage, Inc., which operated the Auburn-Cord-Dusenberg Museum;

    Whereas, there were six organizations which began under the Auburn Chamber of Commerce; the Auburn Improvement Industrial Development Corporation, Inc., the Auburn Cordial Bed and Breakfast, the Downtown Auburn Business Association (DABA), the DeKalb County Visitors Bureau and the Auburn Network of Enterprising Women;

    Whereas, the Auburn Improvement Association, Inc. has been active in beautification and historic preservation and is an affiliate of Historic Landmark Foundation of Indiana, Inc., and was instrumental in having the Auburn downtown area listed as an historic district on the National Register of Historic Places; sponsors Pride Week Annually; and promotes an annual decorator showcase which is open during

the Auburn-Cord-Dusenberg Festival;

    Whereas, in 1981, as in 1904 when the Auburn Commercial Club reacted to a recession, the Auburn Industrial Development Corporation, Inc. (AIDCO) was formed to assist in recruiting industry to Auburn;

    Whereas, under the leadership of Allen Graber and other businessmen, AIDCO has been successful in recruiting several major industries to Auburn and DeKalb County. The Auburn industries included: Sealed Power Corporation, Auburn Packaging, Inc., R. J. Tower, Auburn Hardwood Moulding, Inc. and Guardian Industries;

    Whereas, the Downtown Auburn Business Association was organized to promote and support businesses in the downtown area. The Auburn Chamber of Commerce along with the DABA is a member of the National Main Street Program. Together they host events that highlight the historic downtown district;

    Whereas, during the 1980's the industrial development in northern Indiana has been successful due to the favorable tax and business climate provided by Indiana. DeKalb County's location with the state, the presence of I-69, railroads and abundant supplies of electricity and gas have all been assets that have led to the development of additional industry;

    Whereas, beginning in 1998, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce paired with the Bureau of Safety Education and Training to host industrial training seminars. The Auburn Chamber also facilitates the DeKalb County Personnel Group which meets monthly as a networking and educational tool for human resource professionals;

    Whereas, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce was the catalyst for the development of the DeKalb County Visitor's Bureau. This program encourages visitors to spend money in Auburn, supporting the local economy; Therefore,


Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the

General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

    SECTION 1. That the Indiana House of Representatives honors the 100th Anniversary of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and their continued success.

    SECTION 2. The Principal Clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to Ms. Jill Clark at the Auburn Chamber of Commerce.






RR 4527/DI cmf

2003


Figure

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