​Richmond, IN – The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that it will be hosting the Local National Civics Bee for the second consecutive year. This exciting event will take place on April 25, 6PM at IU East - Whitewater Hall.

The National Civics Bee provides students with an opportunity to showcase their knowledge of civics, history, and government, while also fostering an understanding of their role in shaping their communities and the nation. The Chamber is honored to provide a platform for these young scholars to demonstrate their commitment to civic engagement and learn the importance of being informed and active citizens.
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Here are the 20 students, in no particular order, participating in the 2025 Local National Civics Bee Competition, along with 2 alternates. These students proudly represent three schools in Wayne County: Hagerstown Middle School, Hibberd Middle School, and Northeastern Middle School.

The Leland Legacy – March 18, 2025 – The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday, March 18th, recognizing over 50 local businesses that reached significant milestones in their membership for 2024. Honoring businesses with anniversaries ranging from 5 to 50 years, the event celebrated their lasting contributions to the community. These milestones reflect the businesses' dedication and success in the area, highlighting their role in shaping the local economy and fostering growth throughout the years. The celebration was a reminder of the importance of supporting long-standing businesses that continue to make a positive impact on Wayne County.
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Celebrating their 50 years of Chamber membership, Kevin Ahaus shared, “Ahaus has been a chamber member for three generations and we believe a good chamber strengthens the community. 50 years as a member is a great accomplishment, but we appreciate the Wayne County Area Chamber working for all of its businesses with advocacy, marketing and communication to help the Richmond area grow.”
 
Ahaus Tool and Engineering, Inc. - 50
Porter Advertising - 45
Richmond Baking Company - 45
Fennimore & Associates, PC - 45
Richmond Art Museum - 40
United Way of Whitewater Valley - 40
EDC of Wayne County, IN - 35
Berry Global, Inc. - 35
Achieva Resources Corporation, Inc. - 35
Arbor Trace - 35
Richmond Civic Theatre - 35
Richmond Gymnastics Training Center, Inc. - 35
Thor Construction Company - 35
Office 360 - 30
Oler Fence, Inc. - 30
Perfect Circle Credit Union - 30
Productivity Fabricators, Inc. - 30
Bethany Theological Seminary - 30
The Office Shop - 25
Coldwell Banker Lingle - Kyle Tom - 25
Coldwell Banker Lingle - Marc & Rhonda Duning - 25
City of Richmond - 25
Burke & Schindler - 25
Jeff Plasterer - 20
Eckart Supply, LLC - 20
YMCA - 20
Bowman Superior Genetics - 20
LifeSpring Church - 20
Civic Hall Performing Arts/Richmond Community Schools - 20
Osborn International - 20
Wayne County Historical Museum - 20
Buffalo Wild Wings - 15
Empire Title Services - 15
Wilco Custom Electronics - 15
Richmond Rose Garden - 15
Gary Saunders - 15
Allen Painting Company, Inc. - 15
Richmond 40 Bowl - 15
Seton Catholic Schools - 15
ProSource - 15
The Excel Center - 10
Miller's Wood Specialties, Inc. - 10
Indiana Municipal Power Agency - 10
Hagerstown Plastics, Inc. - 10
Animal Care Alliance - 10
Main Street Centerville - 5
US Aggregates - 5
Town of Centerville - 5
Cochran & Associates, Inc. - 5
Main Street Cambridge City - 5
The Local Chapter NAACP #3066 - 5
Sankey  Angus - 5
Corner Café at the Leland - 5
Amigos, The Richmond Latino Center - 5
Central United Methodist Church - 5
Cruise Adventure & Travel - 5
Henry Community Health - 5
Town of Hagerstown - 5

Cheri and David Jetmore were honored with the 2023 Art Vivian Distinguished Community Leader Award at the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce's 2024 Annual Dinner. Nominated by Roxie Deer, Executive Director of Richmond Neighborhood Restoration, for their unwavering dedication to the entire county, demonstrated through their impactful work with Richmond Neighborhood Restoration, Richmond Civic Theatre, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and numerous other organizations they have contributed to over the years.

“They have both had successful careers, but it is the work they continue to pour into this community, in ‘retirement’ that stands out to me,” said Roxie Deer, “by rolling up their sleeves and getting the work done with their friends and peers.”

The Art Vivian Distinguished Community Leader Award is the highest recognition given by the Chamber, celebrating individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership, community involvement, and a commitment to the betterment of Wayne County. The award criteria highlight the importance of active participation in both business and civic affairs, along with a reputation of integrity and respect.

John Faas, a colleague at the Richmond Civic Theatre, praised the couple, saying, “They are both truly remarkable people, and I personally believe that they are the very embodiment of dedication and philanthropy.”
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Throughout their careers, Cheri and David Jetmore have embodied these values, giving selflessly to improve the lives of those around them. Their philanthropic spirit mirrors the essence of Wayne County, making them worthy recipients of this prestigious honor. Their enduring impact serves as an inspiration to all who strive to make a difference in their communities.

Read the rest of the Annual Report on our home page: wcareachamber.org

The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted the 2025 Career Exploration Fair at the Wayne County Fairgrounds on March 4th and 5th. This marks the 8th year that the Chamber has organized this highly anticipated event, which saw over 1,200 students in attendance. Shawntel Baker, the Director of Membership and Education for the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce, expressed her enthusiasm about the significant growth of the event, stating, “I’m incredibly proud of how much we’ve been able to expand and improve the career exploration fair, creating even greater opportunities for both employers and students. This year’s event was our largest yet, and we’re excited to continue building on this success as we move forward!”

On Tuesday, juniors had the opportunity to participate in an engaging day designed to help them better understand their career interests. The day began with students taking the True Colors assessment, which helps them discover their personality type and how it relates to various career paths. They also attended a session on the importance of first impressions, an essential skill for any professional setting.

The following day, Wednesday, seniors kicked off their visit with a career interest survey, which allowed them to explore fields that align with their skills and aspirations. Afterward, they had the valuable opportunity to engage directly with professionals from various industries, gaining insights into potential career paths.

“The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Career Exploration Fair was an incredible success. Richmond High School was honored to be part of such a valuable opportunity for our students,” said Josh Amyx, Director of CTE, Alternative, and Adult Education at Richmond High School. “From Career Interest Surveys to a diverse array of Wayne County businesses, our students had the chance to explore the full range of opportunities available in the area. The volunteer speakers were both engaging and informative, and all the vendors were incredibly accommodating, sharing their knowledge and passion in a way that truly sparked interest in students throughout Wayne County. Bringing together the education and business communities in this way will undoubtedly have a lasting positive impact on both Richmond and all of Wayne County.”

Both juniors and seniors had the chance to explore over 50 booths from a wide range of employers located throughout Wayne County. These booths showcased the variety of

career options available to students right in their own community. In addition to speaking with employers, students were able to immerse themselves in hands-on experiences from VR headsets to sewing stitches that provided a deeper understanding of different industries.

Highlighting the success of the Career Exploration Fair, Chris Campbell of Blue Buffalo shared: “This was by far the best attended Career Exploration Fair that I have participated in.  So many engaged local students with such inspiring futures ahead of them.  Kudos to the Chamber for all their hard work putting this event together!”

In addition, Julie Arnold, Guidance Counselor at Hagerstown High School, shared, “The businesses did an excellent job of engaging with our students. They created interactive activities (or brought fun swag!) to draw students to their booths. Once they had their attention, they provided valuable information about their companies, the job opportunities available, and the qualities they seek in new hires. A big thank you to the Chamber for providing this invaluable real-life experience for our students!”
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The Career Exploration Fair serves as an excellent platform for students to not only interact with potential employers but also to explore their career interests, connect with local industries, and gain insight into the diverse opportunities that Wayne County has to offer.

Interested in being a part of the next Career Exploration Fair? Click Here for more information.

Find all pictures here: Career Exploration Fair
                                   Employer Pictures