Asheboro Randolph Chamber of Commerce Celebrates Legacy of Success
asheboro and randolph county, chamber of commerce, community, george gusler, success, summerfest,
Asheboro and Randolph County have seen a lot of growth since 1926‚ much of which can be attributed to a dedicated Chamber of Commerce staff and active membership.
The 674-member Asheboro/Randolph Chamber will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year with festivities during the Chamber’s annual membership meeting in January and July 4 at Summerfest.
Expansions of existing businesses as well as relocation of new businesses to the area have not only brought in jobs but “add to the variety of purchasing opportunities available to our citizens‚” says George Gusler‚ executive vice president of the Chamber for the past seven years.
“ Nowhere is the success of the Chamber’s efforts to promote our community any more evident than in the continued growth of our overall retail sales‚” Gusler says.
“ Total retail sales have increased nearly 50 percent to just under $1.5 billion annually. This has generated additional annual sales tax revenue of over $8 million to local government‚ therefore reducing the property tax burden on our citizens.”
A big push for the Chamber in past decades has been the drive to persuade state officials to build the North Carolina Zoological Park in Asheboro. Opened in 1974‚ the zoo now provides several hundred jobs to the area and attracts about a million visitors each year.
The Downtown Business Partnership is another Chamber priority.
Working alongside city officials‚ the Chamber helped raise support for renovation and revitalization of historic downtown Asheboro.
“ All storefronts are occupied‚ and a very attractive park and community gathering area are in place‚” Gusler says. “The city continues to move forward with plans and construction of an additional parking area‚ new sidewalks and an improved streetscape.”
Gusler says the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce is especially interested in supporting the youth of the community. The Chamber sponsors Junior Achievement programs in both the city and county school systems.
“Another youth program is Student Leadership‚ which takes 26 junior and senior students and exposes them to the actual workings of a real community‚” Gusler says.
“ The classes include a team-building exercise‚ complete with high- and low-ropes courses‚ as well as visits with community and business leaders.”
Gusler says the Chamber will continue to advocate programs and projects that are vital to the community’s future‚ such as construction of the new Asheboro post office and Interstates 73 and 74.
Not only will the Chamber be celebrating 75 successful years in 2001‚ members‚ staff and area citizens will be looking forward to many more.
Story by Lucretia Carter
Photo by Theresa Montgomery
