Chamber calendar

Friday, March 16: Sneak preview for chamber members and their guests of the Spotlight on Appalachia Ohio show, 5-7 p.m., Shoemaker Convocation Center at OU-C; hosted by the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Tuesday, March 20: Leadership Chillicothe Ross Steering Committee, 3:30 p.m., chamber.

Wednesday, March 21: Business After Business, at Honda Harley Suzuki, Eastern Avenue, co-sponsored by Litter Quality Propane and Classic Brands, 5-7 p.m., BAB registration.

Thursday, March 22: Board of Directors, noon, site TBA.

Thursday, April 12: Ross County Safety Council, Annual Awards Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Chillicothe Country Club, Safety Luncheon reservation

Thursday, May 10: Young Professionals Network, "How to Make Your Website Google Friendly", by Vince Perhach of Opulent Source, 5:30-7 p.m., Chillicothe Country Club, $5 admission, no pre-registration required.

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

Check out photos from chamber events at any time by going to www.chillicothe-chamber.smugmug.com.

For previous newsletter editions, click here

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.

Copyright 2007

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

“Shred It Day” provides

guard against identity theft

The chamber’s Leadership Chillicothe Ross class invites members and any others to bring their outdated personal papers and other sensitive documents to Yoctangee Park on April 21. A huge shredder will take care of the documents to help prevent others from gaining personal information used in identity theft cases.

The class chose “Shred It Day” as one of its two projects. Sponsors are being sought to help offset the cost of renting the shredder and other expenses. Sponsors will be featured on banners, signs and t-shirts. Proceeds from the event (participants will be asked for donations) will go toward the Elizabeth’s Hope Pregnancy Resources charity. Click here to print a sponsorship form.

The second project for the leadership class is construction of another entrance to the cabooses at the head of the park on Water Street.

The leadership class is nearing the end of its year. This past week, the class toured both the Kenworth Truck Company and Glatfelter after an educational session in the morning, shown in the photo. Graduation is in May. If you’re interested in being part of the next class that begins in September, tap here for more information.

PROGRESS ON BRIDGE STREET: Mayor Joe Sulzer told local radio the city is getting closer to eliminating one of the three-in-a-row traffic signals on North Bridge Street that snarls traffic. He said the Ohio Department of Transportation is involved in the negotiations to move Plaza Boulevard to align with the exit ramp off U.S. 35. He also said explorations are being made to build a connector that would stretch from Plaza all the way to Sam’s Club.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER TRAFFIC PROBLEMS: You can weigh in on what you consider the biggest traffic problems in the city and in all of Ross County. The Thoroughfare Plan for both is being updated and input is being sought from anyone who has an issue. Right now, the number one priority is fixing Western Avenue from Limestone Boulevard west to Veterans Parkway by widening it and adding access roads. You can give your input online by going here: Thoroughfare Plan.

DOUGHNUTS AND DISCUSSION: You’re invited as a chamber member to have coffee and doughnuts with the chairman of the Board of Directors and the CEO. This new monthly initiative is to give you a chance to talk about issues affecting your business that you think the chamber might be able to help, issues facing the community in which the chamber could become involved or just a chance to get to know more about the chamber itself. Chairman Ed Behanna and CEO Marvin Jones will provide the breakfast and the chamber’s conference room. Attendance at each is limited to no more than 10. The first session is Thursday, April 5 from 8-9. To reserve your spot, call the chamber at 702-2722.

BAB IS WEDNESDAY ON EASTERN AVENUE: The Business After Business at Honda, Harley, Suzuki on Eastern Avenue is co-sponsored by other Litter Industries subsidiaries Classic Brands and Litter Quality Propane. The usual food and refreshments will be available. Make sure to register if you plan to attend: BAB registration. Also, don’t forget about tonight’s reception especially for chamber members and their guests at the “Spotlight on Appalachia Ohio” show at OU-C’s Shoemaker Convocation Center from 5-7 p.m. The show is open to the public Saturday and is being hosted by our Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau.

A DECENT HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON: Locally owned retailers reported sales up about 6.5 percent this past holiday shopping season, making for a decent Christmas. Big-box retailers, though, had an even happier season, reporting a 13 percent jump, according to sales tax figures from Ross County Auditor Steve Neal. The figures are from October through December last year and provided the county with $258,777 more in tax receipts from the previous year. Total sales were $207 million. Despite the increase, the county will have $500,000 deducted over the next 18 months due to an overpayment by one taxpayer.

ONLY A FEW SLOTS LEFT ON CHAMBER MAP: Advertising sales for the next official city-county map of the chamber are going very well with only a limited number of spaces left for members. NovoPrint, the chamber’s partner in the project, will continue sales the next few weeks, but those contemplating having a space should get in touch with the chamber soon at 702-2722.

NEWEST MEMBER: Joining the chamber this week was Cross Creek Excavating, 465 Delano Ave., by William Bennett, 775-0724.

BUILDING PERMITS: Here’s who’s received permits recently from the Chillicothe and Ross County Building Departments:

• J&D Investments of Lancaster, 1901 Western Ave., storage buildings, value $80,000.
• Jean Blair, 47 N. Paint St., alterations, $5,000.

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

• Mallow Taxidermy, 440 Biers Run Road, by Cheryl Mallow.
• Martin Design Works, 2107 Valley Road, by  Victoria Martin.
• Animal Care Clinic, 436 Western Ave., by Uhrig Veterinary Services.
• First Quality Technical Services, 2160 Chapel Creek Road, by Roger Ford.
• G&S Machine and Fabrication, 32 Possum Hollow Road, by Ronald Guysinger Jr.