Weekly Update

www.chillicotheohio.com

Mission statement: The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce promotes economic and community development by addressing issues important to business

Volume 4, Issue 18
Friday, January 5, 2007

This week's sponsors:

Community Events Calendar

You are receiving this newsletter as a benefit of your membership in the chamber. If you wish not to receive it, please reply to mjones@chillicotheohio.com and write "Unsubscribe" in the subject.

For previous editions, click here

Copyright 2007

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

The effort to raise $55,000 to hire experts to design economic strategies to improve Chillicothe's historic downtown business district began in earnest this week following a well-attended informational meeting. The consensus of the approximately 80 who participated was to go forward with the plan to contract with the HyettPalma firm.

Ed Kunzelman and Joe Molnar, co-chairs of the ad hoc group, will be calling upon downtown property owners to contribute to the fund while other efforts will be made to acquire funding from city and county government, apply for grants from local foundations and tap other organizations, such as the chamber and Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio. Individuals and other entities interested in improving the downtown also are being encouraged to contribute to make this a broad-based effort.

At Wednesday's meeting, reports were given by several people who investigated the work of the HyettPalma firms in other cities. Questions about historic preservation, parking, the Carlisle Building and property maintenance were fielded. Noted was the fact that this firm involves as many people and groups wanting to participate, looks at all prior studies of the downtown and uses its 20-year history in other communities to design its strategies which include:

• Existing business enhancement
• Business recruitment
• Business clustering
• Real estate development
• Public square enhancement
• Growth management
• Traffic flow enhancement
• Parking enhancement
• Public safety improvement
• Property maintenance
• Incentives to stimulate further investment in business and buildings, and
• Public relations and marketing.

Tax deductible contributions toward financing the plan can be made by making checks payable to the "First Capital District" and mailed or dropped off at the chamber office at 45 E. Main St.

To learn more about the HyettPalma proposal or download it, click here: www.chillicotheohio.com/Downtown_proposal.pdf.

NEW GOVERNOR INVITED TO ANNUAL DINNER: Ted Strickland, the southern Ohioan who represented Chillicothe in Congress for several years and who becomes Ohio's next governor on Monday, has been invited to be the guest speaker at the chamber's Annual Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 15. Mark your calendars now for the event that will be held again in the Shoemaker Convocation Center at Ohio University-Chillicothe. More information and reservations will be available shortly.

PREMIUM MEMBERS LINED UP FOR 2007: Providing additional support to the chamber and receiving extra exposure throughout the year are the 11 premium members who signed up. The chamber's Platinum Members this year are Chillicothe Nursing and Rehabilitation, Chillicothe Paints, Glatfelter, Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, Personnel Solutions and Preferred Staffing of Ohio. Gold Members are B&B Roofing, Opulent Source, The Sprint Store and Traditions of Chillicothe. Their extra support is greatly appreciated.

ECONOMIC FORECAST LUNCHEON IS WEDNESDAY: Hearing directly from the CEOs of three of the county's largest employers will give members and their guests an insight into the local economy for 2007 and beyond. Scott Blue of the Kenworth Truck Company, John Blind of Glatfelter and Mark Shuter from the Adena Health System will speak along with Chris Manegold of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio. Results of an economic survey and research from local officials by the chamber will be given. The event starts at 11:30 at the Chillicothe Country Club. Click here if you plan to attend: Economic Forecast Luncheon

DIRECTORIES AND PLAQUE CARDS ARRIVING SHORTLY: It will be early February when the 2007 Member Directory and Buyers Guide will be available as it's going to the printer shortly. Also, the 2007 cards to go in your acrylic plaques should arrive about the same time. Members are mailed both once we have received your dues. Thanks to many of you who already have mailed in your dues for this year. If you have not received an invoice or have a question about years, give us a call at 702-2722.

FINANCES ON AGENDA FOR YPN: The Young Professionals Network of the chamber will hear from an Eaton Vance representative on personal and business finances when the group meets next week on Thursday at the Chillicothe Country Club. The group welcomes those ages 21-45, so spread the word in your organization. Appetizers and a cash bar will be available. The popular speed networking event in which everyone meets everyone else also will be conducted, so bring plenty of business cards. It runs 5:30-7 p.m. and no pre-registration is required.

BAB AT THE CLUB: The next Business After Business is Wednesday, Jan. 17 at the Chillicothe Country Club and will feature the culinary skills of Chef Sean Immell and give non-club members a chance to check out the facilities. You can make your reservation now if you plan to attend: BAB registration Also, while all of the slots for BABs have been reserved for this year, now's a great time to think about signing up for a BAB in 2008. Just give the chamber office a call at 702-2722 to inquire about possible dates.

EXTRA BAB IN FEBRUARY: In addition to the regular BAB on February 21 at First Capital Enterprises, a special quad-county BAB is set for Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center. This event will feature a demonstration of various dances by Dorothy Cooper and her staff from Absolute Dance. In fact, if you'd like some free lessons before the BAB, call Shawn Mallow at the resort at 740-869-2020. Complimentary food and a cash bar will be available along with a chance to win some door prizes. Call that same number to register to attend.

CERTIFICHECKS: The gift certificate program of the chamber is a great way to reward your staff or to use as door prizes or other incentives. Certifichecks is a partner of the chamber and their certificates are good at more than 100 chamber member locations. Lately, some members have been asked to redeem the certificates who didn't have advance notice of them. As a merchant, treat the certificates the same as a check. Endorse it on the back and include it with your normal checks and cash for deposits.

COLLEGE OFFICIALLY OPENING: Students are getting a sneak peek at their new home today during an open house and will attend the first classes in the new home of Samuel Stephen College on Monday. The new campus is off Ohio 104 in the Gateway Interchange Industrial Park in the former Horizon Technology facility.

MAKING IT OFFICIAL: PeoplePlus of Ohio has been in operation for a few weeks in the Foulke Block on South Paint Street, but to make it official, a ribbon cutting is set for noon on Monday. It will be a good time to get to know the staff and regional representatives who will be on hand.

SOCIAL SECURITY MOVING: After decades in Central Center, the Social Security Administration office is moving to its new offices on Stoneridge Drive off Western Avenue. The new office won't be functional until Jan. 17 and there is very limited service at the old location until then.

SCOUTS TO DESCEND ON COMMUNITY: More than 4,000 Boy Scouts and their leaders are expected at the Ross County Fairgrounds the weekend of May 4-6 as part of the celebration of 100 years of scouting. While the scouts from the Simon Kenton Council will have plenty of activities to attend, the public is invited Saturday to become part of the celebration. More information is available at www.skcbsa.org/council_owop.

NEWEST MEMBERS: Here's who's joined the chamber recently:

• Michael Warth Studios, 464 Caroline Drive, fine arts and graphic design, 703-2396, www.michaelwarth.com.
• Wendy's, through Tecumseh Restaurant Management, by Jeff Hausfeld, 884-4317.

BUILDING PERMITS: Here's who's received commercial permits through the city and county building departments recently:

• Landmark Properties, 48 Consumer Center Drive, Shawnee Square, alterations, value $75,000.
• Central Center Limited, 207 Delano Ave., roofing, $10,000.
• CH Properties, 33 N. Plaza Blvd., alterations, $25,000.
• Zane Plaza, 1080 N. Bridge St., electrical, $8,300.
• Karen Owens, 2 Health Drive, alterations, $1,000.
• Tomlinson Insurance, 79 W. Second St., signs, $250.
• Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, 45 E. Main St., window replacement, $1,000.
• Good News Ventures, 117 E. Main St., Bainbridge, alterations for new store, $30,000.
• Union Township, 5778 Egypt Pike, new grit storage building, $25,000.
• Dement Pizza Shop, 27 N. Main St., Frankfort, new building, $125,000.

VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses recently from the Ross County auditor:

• Scot's Guns and Ammo, 52 Narrows Road, by Scot Hardesty.
• Fisher Wood Products, 1284 Graves Road, by David Fisher.
• Timeless Treasurers of Chillicothe, 4425 Ohio 772, by Marsha Risner.
• Time For You, 253 S. Paint St., by Vicki McGuire.
• John Cutright, 122 U.S. 23 south.
• Steiner Automotive Group, 1786 N. Bridge St., by Brett Hunton.

Calendar of Chamber events

• Wednesday, January 10: Economic Forecast Luncheon for 2007, featuring the CEOs from the Kenworth Truck Company, Adena Health System and Glatfelter; Chillicothe Country Club, 11:30 a.m., Economic Forecast Luncheon
• Wednesday, January 10: Leadership Chillicothe Ross, "If It Ain't Broke, Break It!" session includes tour of government, court offices, 7:45 a.m., McDonald Financial Group, 37 W. Second St.
• Thursday, January 11: Young Professionals Network, topic on business and personal financial advice plus the speed networking feature, 5:30-7 p.m., Chillicothe Country Club.
• Thursday, January 11: Ross County Safety Council, Top 10 OSHA Violations and How to Avoid Them, 11:30 a.m., Chillicothe Country Club; Safety luncheon registration.
• Wednesday, January 17: Business After Business, Chillicothe Country Club, 5-7 p.m., BAB registration
• Tuesday, January 23: "Don't Let 2007 Manage You!" Workforce Development seminar featuring LaTanya Webb of OU-C and Brian Blasko, 8:30-Noon, Ross County Service Center, $10 per person; Workforce seminar registration