What's happening this weekend? Check out the community events calendar.

Click above to go to the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
site for small business

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

Downtown revitalization
initiative gaining steam

The broad-based community effort to hire a national consulting firm to provide a comprehensive economic enhancement strategy for downtown Chillicothe picked up more steam this week with the receipt of contributions from several sources and pledges from several others.

The effort gets a big push next week when Chillicothe City Council is expected to have the first reading of legislation Monday to appropriate $15,000 budgeted as the city's contribution toward the $55,000 fee. If council approves the measure, that will trigger a $15,000 contribution from the Ross County commissioners. They approved a measure in early January pledging a contribution equal to that of the city, up to a maximum of $15,000. The commissioners approved the measure following the Jan. 3 public meeting attended by about 80 interested people.

The chamber's Executive Committee this week approved a contribution of $2,000 while applications have been submitted to various local foundations. Five other contributions have been received from downtown property owners and people who support the effort.

Tax-deductible contributions should be made payable to the "First Capital District" and mailed or brought to 45 E. Main St. All contributions will go toward downtown revitalization. If the $55,000 goal is exceeded, the surplus funds will be used for any follow-up work as a result of the plan submitted by the HyettPalma firm of Virginia. To submit a contribution or to download a form to help solicit contributions, click here: Downtown revitalization contribution.

BAB WAS A SMASH: Good food, good beverages and plenty of opportunities to catch up with new and old friends attracted about 150 to Wednesday’s Business After Business at the Chillicothe Country Club. Co-sponsored by HRTwentyFour, the BAB kicked off the new year in style. And February will keep things going with two BABs. Three other chambers are joining with ours to sponsor a special Quad-County Business After Business at the Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The regular BAB is set for Wednesday, Feb. 21 at First Capital Enterprises. The chambers in Pickaway, Fayette and Madison counties are the other co-sponsors for the Deer Creek BAB which will feature a demonstration of dances by Dorothy Cooper and her staff. There will be complimentary food and a cash bar. It runs 5-7 p.m. If you plan to attend, call Shawn Mallow at 740-869-2020 Ext. 3003 to let her know you're coming. The Sunroom at The Brick will supply the food for the BAB at First Capital Enterprises on West Main Street. It also runs 5-7 p.m. To sign up for this BAB, click here: BAB registration. Check out photos from January's event at the Chillicothe Country Club: BAB gallery.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR FOUNDER'S BALL: Tickets for the costumed ball on Saturday, March 3 to benefit the new Friends of Adena Mansion & Gardens organization go on sale Monday. Individual tickets are $25 which includes a membership in the organization. Tables for 10 that include memberships and commemorative items also are available. Tickets are on sale here at the Welcome Center from the visitors bureau, at Office City Express on East Second Street and at Herrnstein Chrysler on Marietta Road. For more information, contact Julie Lambert at 775-4846 or email her at coverlet@bright.net.

UNITED WAY FULLY FUNDED: Thanks to the generosity of the community, all of the agencies served by United Way of Ross County will receive their budgeted allotments as the most recent campaign exceeded its $715,000 by 2 percent. The goal was met in large part thanks to a record-breaking gift of $250,000 from the Paccar Foundation and nearly $64,000 from Kenworth employees.

NEXT MAP PROJECT GOES HIGH-TECH: The chamber is beginning the process to produce a new map that should be available by September. Advertising sales will begin in about a week or two, so when you receive your invitation, make sure to check out the internet map feature that will not only become part of our website, but can become part of your own website. Tommy Thompson, who lives in Dayton, will be the sales representative for NovoPrint USA, our partner in the project. In addition to the physical and internet maps, the chamber is ordering 11-by-17 one-page city maps in pad form. This will be great for our lodging members as they can use them to spotlight local destinations and attractions for their guests. The partnership with NovoPrint provides non-dues revenue for your chamber as well as a great benefit of membership.

NEED MAPS FOR YOUR GUESTS OR VISITORS?: Don't forget that the chamber has detailed maps of the city and county available for free (in limited quantities). They're great for real estate agents, large companies trying to attract new managers and for other uses. All you need to do is call ahead, then stop by to pick them up. It's another benefit of your membership and is made possible by those who advertise on the map.

PETLAND FIGHTS CRIME: Thanks to the donation of a 120-gallon fish tank, the Ross County Sheriff's Department might be getting the fingerprints from the guns of the bad guys. Since the state stopped testing large items, local law enforcement hasn't been able to get to the prints. Using a technique that includes a warmer, glue and ultraviolet light, the prints can be found on the guns.

STILL AWAITING WORD: While we still have no firm commitment from the governor, the Annual Dinner is coming together for Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Shoemaker Convocation Center at Ohio University-Chillicothe. Greg Wells, last year's winner, will introduce the newest Entrepreneur of the Year while there will be updates on chamber activities, introduction of new board members, the Volunteer of the Year and a report on economic development. Click here to make reservations: Annual Dinner reservations

BUILDING PERMITS: Here's who's received permits recently from the city and county Building Departments:

• Traditions of Chillicothe, 141 University Drive, signs, value $6,500.
• Shawnee Square, 40 Consumer Center Drive, alterations, $50,000.
• Larry White, 71 E. Water St., alterations, $200,000.
• Barbara Pocock, 59 W. Main St., electrical, $10,000.
• Zane Plaza, 1080 N. Bridge St., signs, $5,000.
• Family Medical Center, 311 Caldwell St., alterations, $9,963.
• Pickaway-Ross Career and Technical Center, 895 Crouse Chapel Road, renovations, $13.8 million.
• Herrnstein Chrysler, 2827 River Road, signs, no value given.
• Huntsman Market, 6211 Blain Highway, addition, $80,000.
• Ross County Board of Commissioners, 847 Fairgrounds Road, addition, $25,000.
• Valero, 81 Main St., Frankfort, sign, $16,500.

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

• Anna's Attic, 755 Western ave., by Anna Barthelmes.
• Blanche's Barn, 1284 Blackwater Road, by Blanche Knapp.
• Cici's Pizza, 1080 N. Bridge St., by Yahweh Inc.
• Timeless Treasurers, 626 Laurel St., by Heather Dennis.

Calendar of Chamber events

• 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
• Thursday, January 25: Board of Directors, noon, Adena Regional Medical Center.
• Friday, January 26: Samuel Stephen College ribbon cutting, 1 p.m., Ohio 104 north.
• Tuesday, February 6: Quad-County Business After Business, Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center, near Mt. Sterling, in conjunction with the chambers in Pickaway, Fayette and Madison counties, 5-7 p.m., call 740-869-2020, Ext. 3003 if you plan to attend.
• Thursday, February 15: Chamber Annual Dinner, Shoemaker Convocation Center at Ohio University-Chillicothe, social hour at 6, dinner at 7; Annual Dinner reservations
• Wednesday, February 21: Business After Business, First Capital Enterprises, West Main Street, 5-7 p.m., BAB registration.