Chamber calendar:

Thursday, February 1: Herrnstein Hyundai ribbon cutting, noon, River Road and U.S. 23 north at the Ohio 207 connector.

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 8: Ross County Safety Council, presentation by Pam Ferrante of J&C Safety Consultants on The Aging Workforce, 11:30 a.m., Chillicothe Country Club, Safety Luncheon reservation

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

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

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Copyright 2007

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Membership numbers
continue to climb

For the fourth consecutive year, the number of members in your chamber is higher than the year before. As of this writing, there are 618 dues-paying members of the chamber, up 17 from the start of 2006.

Membership organizations such as the chamber traditionally "churn" membership as some drop out and others come on board. Obviously, gaining more members than you lose strengthens the organization. Since the end of 2002, your chamber's net gain has been 97. That's a 19 percent gain in four years, or nearly 5 percent growth per year.

The 618 members represents about 40-45 percent of the businesses in Ross County. To our long-time loyal members, we say thank you as you remain the backbone of the organization.

UP-FRONT SPACE GOING FAST: Only five premium tables remain for the chamber's Annual Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 15. The $700 tables come with 10 tickets, a table sponsorship and close proximity to the stage area. Regular table sponsorships, which allow you to decorate tables with your company's promotional materials, also are available. There still is no definite word on the invitation to Gov. Ted Strickland to be our featured speaker. The back-up plan is to have Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher who also doubles as Strickland's director of the Department of Development. Chef Sean Immell of the Chillicothe Country Club is catering the affair. His menu consists of a mixed green salad, assorted dinner rolls ands garlic bread, grilled strip steak and herb-marinated chicken breast, steamed vegetable medley and cheesecake with assorted toppings. To reserve a premium table or just make ticket reservations, click here: Annual Dinner reservations

SUPPORT GROWS FOR DOWNTOWN INITIATIVE: In under three weeks, contributions from private individuals, businesses and organizations tops $11,000 toward the downtown revitalization initiative. It's hoped City Council soon will approve a $15,000 contribution which will trigger the same amount from the Ross County commissioners. That means nearly 75 percent of the $55,000 fee of the HyettPalma firm has been raised. The $11,868 is from 20 different investors. If you want to show your support for this venture, click here: Downtown plan contribution

NEW OWNER ON SOUTH PAINT: The Citgo C-Store and Subway at 520 S. Paint St. will be in the hands of C. Walters Enterprises LLC this weekend. Chad Walters is purchasing the business which includes the car wash and storage units. Walters said he will change the branding from Citgo to Valero, which is 100 percent U.S. owned and beginning to make a presence in Ohio.

WAL-MART MANAGER JOINS CHAMBER BOARD: John Chlovechok Thursday became a member of the chamber's Board of Directors. He was chosen to replace Lee Bendtsen who resigned. Chlovechok has been the local Wal-Mart manager for four years and with the company for seven. He has more than 30 years of retail experience. Check out all the chamber's board members: Directors page

DIRECTORIES, PLAQUES ON THE WAY: The 2007 Membership Directory and Buyers' Guide is now available for members. If you'd like copies for your reception area, just let us know. Each member who has paid their dues for 2007 will receive a copy by mail plus the 2007 membership card to go in your acrylic plaque. They are being mailed by early next week. And a special thanks to all our members who advertised in the publication handled by Long Pointe Media, providing more support for your chamber.

SOCIETY HONORS A FOUNDER: Bob Evans, one of the original founders of the Scioto Society back in 1970, was honored recently by the board he has chaired for 26 years. Evans will remain on the board that produces "Tecumseh!" which starts its 35 season in June. Other incorporators of the society were Herbert Friedman, the late Joseph Weisenberger and the late Alvin Jones.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR AWARD: The Chillicothe Kiwanis Club is taking nominations for its Ohio Statehood Day Achievement Award to be given at the March 3 Annual Prayer Breakfast. Nominees will be judged on representing the spirit of Ohio and making a difference in the lives of Ross County residents. Forms are available from Bob Sigler at ksigler@adelphia.net or 774-4299 or Carolyn Ault at cdault@roadrunner.com or 773-3461. The deadline is Feb. 12.

CPA JOINS HUNTINGTON BOARD: Nathan Baldwin recently was named to the local Huntington Bank Board of Directors. He has been with Whited Seigneur Sams and Rahe CPAs firm for 12 years and is a graduate of the University of South Alabama.

STUDENTS BUILD FUTURE CITY: Students from Southern Hills Academy took four of the 15 Special Awards at the Future City Competition sponsored by the National Engineers at COSI in Columbus. The awards won for best infrastructure, best use of recreation, best use of recycled materials and most environmentally friendly.

CELEBRATING THEIR EDUCATION: Bishop Flaget School has a full lineup of activities planned for Catholic Schools Week beginning Monday. The celebration culminates Friday with presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award. To learn more, go to www.bishopflaget.org.

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

• Winegardner Chiropractic, 39 N. Plaza Blvd., by Stephanie Winegardner, 702-2225 or docstephdc@hotmail.com.
• Ikon Office Solutions, Dublin, by John Bell, 614-789-4565 or jsbell@ikon.com.

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

• Chillicothe Shopping Center, 16 Consumer Center Drive, signs, value $4,900.
• Landmark Properties, 48 Consumer Center Drive, signs, $5,500.
• Chillicothe and Ross County Library, 140 S. Paint St., signs, $6,800.
• Hastings Electric, 98 W. Second St., HVAC replacement, $4,360.
• Chillicothe Metropolitan Housing, 78 S. Walnut St., Tiffin Tower, fire protection, $54,000.
• Lionel Beatty, 436 Western Ave., alterations for veterinary clinic, $6,000.
• Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center, install modular classrooms, no value given.
• Butler Events LLC, 4279 Charleston Pike, alterations for banquet hall, $1,000.
• Frankfort Baptist Church, 251 Maple St., renovations in fellowship hall, $18,000.

VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses re3cently from the Ross County auditor:

• Something to Crow About, 91 Western Ave., by Nicole Stevison.
• Jim French Complete Customs, 934 E. Main St.
• J&M Car Care, 82 N. Hickory St., by Maria Huffman and James Mack.
• Cycle Works, 7525 Charleston Pike, by Danny Holdren.