The village of Wittenberg continues to grow, thanks to the dedicated volunteers of the Chamber of Commerce, which serves the Wittenberg, Birnamwood, Bowler and Tigerton areas.
“The chamber has grown substantially and really taken a new light in the past year for sure,” said Erika VanOrder, chamber president. “We have been very involved with the communities and hope to spread even further in the future.”
The organization dates back to the 1930s. Its purpose then, as now, was to advance the agricultural, commercial, industrial and civic interests of the village and its surrounding territory.
The chamber sponsors many events, including Wittenberg Community Days, and gives annual scholarships to students in the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District. The chamber also promotes tourism with signage to highlight the village, is home to several mural created through the Walls of Wittenberg.
Each year the chamber seeks nominations for person and business of the year. In the winter there is a great skate giveaway and a chamber banquet.
Chamber members are planning fundraisers next year to send veterans from Wittenberg and the surrounding area on Honor Flights.
“We are going to start working on that,” secretary Jan Kraetsch said.
The chamber operates on a volunteer-only basis. Dues, contributions and fundraisers make it possible for the organization to continue its programs.
VanOrder said members invest countless hours in the chamber through restoration projects, advertising and promoting tourism.
“It is our goal to bring newcomers to the area and increase local spending at our local businesses, along with an awareness of what togetherness stands for as a whole in the community,” VanOrder said.
The area also has the Ho-Chunk casino and a golf course, and is a site for geocaching.
There are two business parks ready for development. Of the 72 acres, 18 have utilities and curb and gutter.
“It really has been an amazing journey, and we only see the impact being greater as time progresses for us,” VanOrder said. “It takes a great deal of planning and drive, which is certainly attainable with the team we have and the wonderful support of our area.”
Other officers are Julie Stewart, vice president, and Pauline Johnson, treasurer.
The chamber meets at 11:30 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month at different member locations.
For more information, visit www.wittenbergchamber.org, call 715-881-2111 or e-mail info@wittenbergchamber.org.
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