Chamber calendar:

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 featuring Gov. Ted Strickland, 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

Attendance up to 325 for
Annual Dinner with governor

Reservations continue to arrive daily for the chamber's Annual Dinner that will feature an address by Ohio's new governor, Ted Strickland. The former congressman whose district once included Ross County will speak to the more than 325 who already have made reservations for the Feb. 15 event.

All of the premium tables have been sold, but table sponsorships are still available. Sponsorships allow companies to decorate tables with their promotional materials. Individual tickets for $45 also are still being sold. The deadline to make a reservation is Monday, Feb. 12 at noon. The social hour begins at 6, dinner at 7 and the program around 8 in the Shoemaker Convocation Center at Ohio University-Chillicothe. Click here if you haven't already made reservations: Annual Dinner reservations

If you are planning to attend, here are a few things to remember. As in previous years, seating will be assigned. Tickets will be mailed next week with the table assignments. If you are decorating a table with flowers, make sure to order as soon as possible as our chamber member florists will be busy with Valentine's Day requests. You might want to arrive early as parking will be at a premium with students in school that evening and a special dinner at the neighboring Child and Family Development Center for the OU Board of Trustees.

DOWNTOWN PROPERTY OWNERS SUPPORT INITIATIVE: More than $16,000 has been contributed by property owners, organizations and individuals for the downtown revitalization initiative in only a month. Since the Jan. 3 meeting in which overwhelming support was indicated for the hiring of national consultants, contributions have been received that have made it possible to proceed. The HyettPalma firm from Virginia will provide an "Economic Enhancement Strategy" for downtown Chillicothe before June from data supplied by the community, meetings with all interested parties, a community visioning session and its more than 20 years of experience in helping revitalize downtowns all across the country. A list of contributors and more information about the process will be made available shortly. City and county government are contributing $15,000 each toward the project that costs $55,000. Any contributions received over the amount will be used toward implementing the strategy. Click here to make your contribution: Downtown plan contribution

DANCE THE BAB AWAY: The first of two Business After Business affairs in February is Tuesday at Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center in conjunction with three other chambers. Classic dance demonstrations and opportunities to show your stuff will be available from 5-7 p.m. along with appetizers and a cash bar. The chambers from Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties also are participating. If you plan to attend, call Shawn Mallow at 740-869-2020 Ext. 3003 to let her know you're coming.

WORKSHOP SET TO HELP BUSINESSES: Are you meeting key business objectives? Are you measuring key business outcomes? Are you moving from manager to consultant? Is your HR Department prepared for the future? Not sure? Find out before it's too late by attending this Workforce Development seminar on March 1 from 8:30 a.m. till 1 p.m. at the Ross County Service Center. Presented by published author and trained consultant Carrie Van Daele of Van Daele & Associates, Inc. Make your reservations now for you and your staff: Workforce seminar registration

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: James Brushart, a former commissioner in Pike County, is the new deputy director for District 9 of the Ohio Department of Transportation. He replaces Harry Fry in a move brought about by the new administration in Columbus.

FREE SEMINARS AT YOUR DESK: The Small Business Administration is providing free webinars on three issues affecting nearly all businesses. Health care, energy and access to capital are the topics for the first in the series to be carried over the internet and which will include PowerPoint presentations and conference calls. The programs are in collaboration with the Small Business Development Centers and the Ohio Department of Development. To learn more about participating, go to www.entrepreneurohio.org and follow the links.

Two members celebrate expansions

The Herrnsteins opened their new Hyundai dealership last week and cut the ribbon this week to make it official. The new franchise adds to the Chrysler, Jeep, Mitsubishi and Suzuki dealerships it has on Marietta Road. Hyundai's showroom is on River Road at the new intersection of U.S. 23 and Ohio 207.

Samuel Stephen College moved students into its new quarters in the former Horizon Technology building in the Gateway Interchange Industrial Park the first of the year and held a dedication ceremony last week. Connie Pruitt hopes to add more programs in the coming years, branching more into the medical field.

SHRM HAS NEW WEBSITE: To stay up on the happenings and events of the local chapter of the Society for Human Resource Managers, bookmark www.ohioshrm.org/chillicothe/ which just went online. The next meeting of the group is Thursday, Feb. 15 from 9-noon with a Department of Labor representative speaking about the Family Medical Leave Act. Contact Lisa Humphrey for more information at 772-7453 or humphl@odjfs.state.oh.us.

NEW REP FOR AMA SIGN: Terry Madden has been hired as the new sales director for the AMA Sign Company of America. He'll be responsible for coordinating the regional sales program which includes the Columbus market.

PIKETON GETS FUNDS FOR STUDY: The Piketon Initiative for Nuclear Independence will receive nearly $700,000 to conduct studies for a facility to recycle spent fuel rods from nuclear power plants. The Piketon group was one of 11 groups around the nation awarded nearly $10 million for the studies. It's part of President Bush's Global Nuclear Energy Partnership to reduce the nation's reliance on foreign oil. A report from the studies is due to the Department of Energy by May 30.

PETLAND'S RANKINGS INCREASE: Petland moved to 192 on the rankings of Entrepreneur Magazine's top franchisors in the U.S., up from 243 a year ago and to 140 in the global rankings, up from 183. "We welcome this prestigious recognition as it helps get the word out about our unique and dynamic full-service pet store franchise opportunity," said Jim Whitman, Petland's franchise development coordinator. Petland now has more than 190 pet centers in the U.S. and four other countries.

NOMINEES SOUGHT: Pioneer Center wants to honor those individuals, businesses and organizations that have helped those with developmental disabilities. Nomination forms are available online at www.thepioneercenter.com. The deadline is Feb. 16 and the awards will be announced on March 29.

OUR TAX DOLLARS WORKED HARDER LAST YEAR: Thanks to rising rates and improvements in the day-to-day managements of funds, Ross County government received about $400,000 more in interest income last year, according to Treasurer Jerry Byers. New investment policies also were adopted last year. The county received $981,442 in interest in 2006.

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

• Brands, 11 W. Second St., by Karen Bower.
• C. Walters Enterprises, 520 S. Paint St.
• C&M Blacktop Supply, 14567 U.S. 50, by Chad Murray.
• Sketch-N-Etch, 500 Willett Road, by Kenneth Weaver.
• Twin Dairy Hut, 11673 U.S. 50, by Jeff Hammond.
• Plaza Chevrolet Cadillac, 60 N. Plaza Blvd.