Advocating on behalf of members to ensure the best possible environment for them to do business is one of the cornerstones of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce. When members feel confident about their environment, they are more likely to continue to invest in their business which leads to more jobs for the people of Chillicothe, Ross County and beyond.
The chamber’s Advocacy Committee serves as a starting point for discussions on issues that affect business. The committee identifies issues, vets them in meetings with proponents and opponents, and decides whether to make a recommendation to the full Board of Directors as to a formal position the chamber should take.
The Advocacy Committee also discusses issues with our elected officials to ensure they hear about how proposed laws or regulations before them could affect business. These discussions take place with local, state and national representatives.
The first comprehensive overhaul of the city’s zoning code in 35 years was instigated by the chamber’s Advocacy Committee. The group explored issues involving planning and zoning that created controversy in the community and came to the conclusion the city’s zoning code was outdated and in major need of revision. At the urging of the committee and the chamber, City Council and the administration hired a consultant who led a task force that is resulted in a modern zoning code for the city.
The Advocacy Committee also explored recent national issues such as the Employee Free Choice Act that would have eliminated secret ballot elections of workers to form unions and the Healthy Families Act that would have dictated companies give mandatory sick days to their employees. The chamber’s board is on record officially opposed to both measures.
Members or their employees interested in becoming a member of the Advocacy Committee need only call or email the chamber. Members also are encouraged to bring to the attention of the committee any issues they would like to see addressed.
The chamber's Board of Directors in July made 13 suggestions to the City Council and administration on possible changes in next contract with the local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
The suggestions are offered as a way to help get the city on better financial footing, following layoffs last year and reduced revenue from the state this and in future years.To learn more about the suggestions, click here. To read and/or download the current AFSCME contract, click here.
Facing more than a $2 million shortfall in its budget in 2010 and continuing into 2011, the administration and City Council of Chillicothe laid off firefighters, police, service and parks workers in addition to other cuts that have affected city operations, such as the non paving of streets and not paying the county to house the city's prisoners.
The chamber board provided information to its members and the community in advance of an attempt to raise taxes in the November 2010 election. Following failure of the levy attempt, the chamber provided ideas to the city on how it might restore some of the laid off employees and services. Below are links to the information and ideas provided by the chamber in addition to other related items:
Information related to city finances
Ideas to solve city's financial crisis
Testimony to Ohio House Finance and Appropriations Committee
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