Courtesy Photo
The Cuero Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture & Visitor’s Center is taking an exciting step toward the future with the renovation of the historic 1881 H. Runge building, known locally as the Fair Building, located at 101 West Main Street in downtown Cuero.
The Chamber purchased the building in February 2020 with the vision of creating a permanent home for the Chamber and Visitor’s Center. Two years later, the building was paid in full, allowing the Chamber to begin seeking grant funding to restore and transform the historic structure.
In 2023, the Chamber hired the CSRS consulting firm to assist with grant writing. Although the initial application was not approved, the Chamber remained committed to the project. With the help of Chamber board member and City of Cuero grant writer Rhonda Stastny, the proposal was refined and resubmitted. That persistence paid off when the Chamber was awarded a $1.2 million grant in the fall of 2024.
We are also grateful for the continued partnership and support of the Cuero Development Corporation, whose assistance has helped move this important project forward.
The new 5,000square-foot facility will allow the Chamber to better serve our members and visitors. As Cuero’s Visitor’s Center, the Chamber welcomes travelers almost daily who stop to learn more about our community and everything it has to offer.
The renovated building will include ADA-accessible public restrooms, a welcoming visitor center, a small conference and event venue for meetings and gatherings, and two additional office spaces available for lease. These additions will enhance services while creating new non-dues revenue opportunities to support the Chamber’s work.
Architectural plans were developed by RMA Architects, and we have worked closely with the Texas Historical Commission to preserve the building’s historic exterior. Weaver & Jacobs has been selected to oversee the interior demolition and abatement portion of the project, which will begin soon as the first step in preparing the building for renovation.
“This project is about more than restoring a building,” I often say. “It’s about building a legacy. By investing in this historic space, we are creating a place that supports small businesses, welcomes visitors, and strengthens our community for generations to come.”
As the project moves forward, we invite the community to be part of this effort. Learn more about the project and ways to support our capital campaign by visiting cuerolegacy. org.
Together, we are preserving our past while building Cuero’s future.
