Bremen Area Chamber of Commerce
Minutes of the February 26, 2026 meeting
Accessible text version of the official minutes. The text is reproduced verbatim from the signed record; only page footers and layout artifacts have been removed. The original PDF is also available.
Attendance
Those present: Marilyn Boyd, Lydia Carter, Vince Carpico, David Foltz, Toni Harper, Sue Henwood, Jacqueline Howard, Laura Kennedy, Rich Lines, Jessica Martinez, Lynn McCandlish, Rick McCandlish, Dee Mowry, Ray Meese, Sue Schmitz, Linda Ward, Heather Yontz and speaker Will Roberts.
Program
President Rich Lines called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. and led the group in the pledge of allegiance. Pastor Linda Ward offered an invocation, and the ladies of the Bremen Community Methodist church served lunch. Will Roberts, area SOCA representative, began by reminding us that chambers of commerce predate the country’s founding as the United States. SOCA is a non-profit coalition that seeks to maximize chamber membership by finding and maintaining good members and to make cost savings programs available to them. Benefit plans include:
- health care - a quality plan through Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield which may save employers 20% to 40% on costs as well as attracting and retaining employees. Where once 500 employers were using the plans, there are now over 8000 involved.
- Hunter Consulting - a third party administrator for Workers’ Com. can save a business up to 53%.
- Community Energy Advisors provide education and suggest changes for utility cost management.
- Payroll Partners provides a local representative rather than a corporation for payroll, talent, time and scheduling services and a free 3 month trial.
- 401K plan - which over half of Ohioans don’t have access to currently but which may become required by law.
SOCA has a podcast, CHAMBER ON.
Business meeting
In the business meeting, the secretary’s report of the January meeting was approved on a motion by Dave Foltz, seconded by Heather Yontz.
The treasurer reported the following account balances:
| Checking | $ 3 429.70 |
|---|---|
| Money market. | 6 365.22 |
| CD | 13 625.61 |
| CD | 15 078.70 |
| CD | 5 560.24 |
A motion to receive the report was made by Dee Mowry, seconded by Marilyn Boyd and carried. The chamber made donations to local events totaling $5 407 from the Community Fund (Money Market account) in 2025.
Old business
In old business, SIGWORK of New Lexington will be in charge of the chamber signage currently at the intersection of state routes 37 & 664.
A new location for the sign is still being sought. WEB CHICK will administer a chamber Facebook page at no additional cost. It can be viewed through the chamber’s web site.
New business
In new business, Marilyn Boyd moved to donate $50 towards the Bremen Easter parade; it was seconded by Heather Yontz and carried. A letter of appreciation for the chamber’s donation to the Lions’ Club Golf Outing in 2025 was read by Ray Meese. He also offered chamber members access to the Lions’ facility, due to the Lions chamber membership.
Announcements
- Thursday, March 26, Save the date for FairHope Hospice’s CELEBRATE LIFE event to benefit their memorial fund: 5:30-8:30 at the Mill Event Center
- Friday, March 27, 10:00 to 2:00, Perry County Senior Expo at the Mt. Aloysius Community Center
- April 28, 5:30 p.m., Friends of ADAM-H Annual Fundraiser and Awards Dinner at Grace Fellowship in Pickerington.
- Free business spotlight ad in the TOWNE CRIER for this quarter is still available - talk to Rich or Dave
Adjournment
Next month’s speaker will be village administrator Billy Robinette, Motions to adjourn made at 12:52 by Dee Mowry, seconded by Dave Foltz and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Schmitz, secretary