Chamber calendar

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

Wednesday, April 18: Business After Business at Herrnstein Hyundai, River Road at Ohio 207 Connector and U.S. 23 north, 5-7 p.m., BAB registration.

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

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Copyright 2007

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Kenworth news a tough

bump in the road

The announcement late Thursday of the pending layoffs and two-week shutdown at the Kenworth Truck Company wasn’t totally surprising, but is a reminder that tough times do hit good firms occasionally.

In 2004, the same scenario was in play as new emissions standards brought great times in 2003 and angst a year later. There’s every reason to believe the same will be true this time also. The 100,000 square foot expansion is there when the orders start to roll in again.

The announcement doesn’t overshadow the news that Paccar was rated No. 10 in a recent listing of the “50 Best Performers” in 2006 by Business Week magazine. The article duly noted the rush to buy new trucks ahead of the new EPA limits on engines helped Paccar to records profits in 2006. While analysts predict 2007 profits to slide 26 percent, a rise is expected again in 2008. No. 1 on the list? Google.

More development planned for Bridge Street

A new structure on North Bridge Street in front of Sam’s Club could be home to five different businesses later this year or early in 2008. NorthPointe Development submitted site plans to the Chillicothe Building Department recently that call for construction of an 8,800 square foot building.

The plans show five divisions in the building that would be just south of E.M. Smith Jewelers and across from the Sam’s Club gas pumps. The doors would front toward Bridge Street. About 60 parking spaces are on the site plan from Dan Marsh Architect.

The road from Bridge Street apparently has been named Mt. Logan Farms Drive.

ROSS POPULATION GROWS FASTER THAN STATE’S: In the past six years, Ross County’s population grew by 3.0 percent, or well above Ohio’s statewide rate of 1.1 percent, according to figures released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. The county’s population was estimated at 75,556 in 2006, up 2,211 from the official 2000 census.

In southern Ohio, Vinton County had the largest percentage jump at 5.6 percent, adding 713 people. That was followed by Highland County at 4.8 percent, or 1,958 people. Scioto County continued its skid, dropping 3.5 percent, or 2,754 fewer people in six years.

The implications for Ross County are good in that it continues to grow, meaning potentially more customers for businesses and more potential employees for employers. And, since every contiguous county is growing, it strengthens Ross County’s role as a regional leader. Below is a chart detailing the regional changes.

Delaware County was the fastest growing in Ohio at 42.5 percent, or 46,708, ranking it the 13^th fastest growing in the nation. Cuyahoga County had the largest decline at 5.7 percent, or 79,737.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

CHAMBER BOARD ENDORSES LIBRARY ISSUE: The Board of Directors of the chamber voted unanimously Thursday to urge voters to approve May 8 the bond issue that would dramatically improve the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library system. Funds from the issue will be used to renovate the former Central Elementary School, build a Commons to connect it to the main library, provide additional space at the Northside Branch and replace the branches in Frankfort and Bainbridge that are in old houses now. A good library system is essential to a good community. With 42 percent of Ross Countians owning library cards and more than 500 people a day going to the main library, it plays an integral part in the community for people of all ages.

BIG PROJECTS PLANNED IN PIKE COUNTY: The Atomic Employees Credit Union is building a new $3.4 million branch and corporate center at Shyville and Beaver roads, just outside the gates of USEC. On the recreational end, Long’s Retreat plans a $250,000 new building for a game room at its complex near Latham off U.S. 32.

CHANGES IN STORE FOR SAFETY COUNCIL: The incentive program for members of the Ross County Safety Council to save on their workers’ compensation premiums is changing for the next fiscal year, beginning July 1. Members can still earn the 4 percent discount, but in a different way. To earn a 2 percent discount, members must attend 10 meetings in the year (up from 8), but this could include attending a Workers Comp University session, the Ohio Safety Congress, or designated training courses; the CEO of the member must attend at least one safety council meeting (there will not a be a CEO-specific meeting as in the past); and, as always, submit your semi-annual reports. The other 2 percent is earned by maintaining a spotless injury record or improving it by 10 percent from the previous year. Complete details will be available online soon. Winners of the awards from the 2006 will be honored at the next safety council luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 12 at the Chillicothe Country Club.

BAB WAS A BREEZE WEDNESDAY: The tropical winds from the south provided a great entrance for spring Wednesday and a great time at the Business After Business at Honda Harley Suzuki on Eastern Avenue. The Litter Industries subsidiaries of Litter Quality Propane and Classic Brands helped provide the many door prizes won by new and old members alike. Herrnstein Hyundai at Ohio 207 and U.S. 23 north is the site for the April 18 BAB. Photos from Wednesday’s event are online at www.chillicothe-chamber.smugmug.com. And don’t forget if you see a few you’d like, you can have prints or enlargements delivered in just a few days.

LEAGUE’S TOWN MEETING TUESDAY: The Ross County League of Women Voters is holding its public Town Meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Christopher Conference Center. Participants will be asked to attend one of three discussions groups: Economic Development and Tourism, Developing the Arts and Recreation and Downtown Revitalization and Ross County Restoration. Recommendations later will be presented to elected officials and community leaders.

NEW USEC MANAGER: Brian Zeik is the new manager of training and procedures at the American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon. Zeik, who lives in Chillicothe, has 20 years of experience in the nuclear industry. He has worked in Oak Ridge, TN, and Paducah, KY, and joined the centrifuge program in 2004.

NEWEST CONSULTANT: Chastity Ann Neff is a new trained tanning consultant for Sun Shine Tanning Studio. She is a graduate of Unioto High and is attending OU-C.

NEWEST MEMBERS: Joining the chamber recently:

• Lathe Tech Machine and Fabrication, 2645 Ohio 180, by Bart McCoy, 701-1054.
• BBB Music Center, 97 E. Second St., by Bob Green, 701-3936.
• GTR Sand Carving, 15019 Ohio 772, by Larry and Scott Lewis, 773-3702.
• Balanced Living Chiropractic, 42 N. Plaza Blvd., by Mark Pitstick, 772-4476.

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

• DDR Ohio Opportunity, 867 N. Bridge St., commercial structure, three permits, value $12,000.
• Heartland of Chillicothe, 1058 Columbus St., alterations, $85,000.
• Pleasant Valley Regional Sewer District, new storage building, $22,600.
• Paint Valley School District, stage lighting, no value given.
• Clary Trucking, temporary electric service.
• Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, alterations, $20,000.
• Tull’s Storage, new building, $38,700.
• Dement Pizza Shop, Frankfort, install propane tank, $100.

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

• Vest Automotive, 53 Adena Road, by Rodney Vest.
• Twin Dairy, 11673 U.S. 50.
• Lightle Enterprises of Ohio, 23 Walnut St., Frankfort.