Chamber calendar
Wednesday, June 20: Executive Committee, 8 a.m., chamber.
Wednesday, June 20: Business After Business at Chillicothe Fire & Security, 5-7 p.m., BAB registration.
Thursday, June 21: Chamber Annual Golf Outing, Dogwood Hills Golf Course off Debord Road, 9 a.m. shotgun start, scramble format; Golf outing registration.
Saturday, June 23: Ribbon cutting, Valero and Subway, South Paint Street, 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 26: Ross County Safety Council Steering Committee, 11 a.m., chamber.
Wednesday, June 27: Chillicothe Ross Leadership Steering Committee retreat, 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, June 28: Board of Directors, noon, Samuel Stephen College.
Thursday, June 28: "The Generation Gaps" seminar by the chamber Workforce Development Department, 8:30-noon, Ross County Service Center, $10, Workforce Academy
Friday, June 29: Ribbon cutting at National City drive-through, Western Avenue, 8:30 a.m.
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.
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Copyright 2007
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
Industry health care proposal
could jump-start debate
A proposal unveiled by a group that includes the country’s largest employers could be the catalyst to get Congress and state lawmakers to rethink the way health care and retirements are delivered.
Under the plan, workers would get these benefits through regional “benefits administrators” rather than from their employers. The ERISA Industry Committee announced the proposal following research by a task force consisting of senior benefit coordinators from large companies. “We recognize that for many employees and their employers the current retirement and benefit system is not producing the retirement and health security they need and are supporting,” said Mark Ugoretz of the committee.
According to a USA Today report, the proposal would:
- Require everyone to have health insurance and require workers to contribute to their own retirement accounts.
- Allow employers to choose between sending workers to private-sector benefit administrators to select coverage or to continue to offer health and retirement benefits in-house.
- Create several standardized health insurance plans for benefit administrators to offer.
- Allow the self-employed and unemployed to purchase coverage through administrators and create subsidies to help lower-income people.
Ugoretz said, “It retains the employer commitment and influence and offers universal coverage for all Americans. We want to keep employers in the game. But we’re not in the business of running a retirement mutual fund. We’re not in the business of running a health plan.”
This proposal appears to be a total shift in thinking about the way benefits are delivered, doesn’t entail heavy government involvement (higher taxes) and would be available to everyone. Given the clout of the organization, let’s hope it gains some traction.
To learn more: ERIC benefits initiative
NEW BENEFIT AVAILABLE TO CHAMBER MEMBERS: Through a new partnership with HRTwentyFour, chamber members receive a discount on the firm’s services and the chamber receives non-dues revenue. Members receive a discount of $50 the first year when registering with HRTwentyFour and $25 for each year they renew. The firm provides businesses with services such as recruiting, pre-employment drug testing, training, record retention, policy implementation and unemployment compensation matters. To learn more, call 740-289-2071 Ext. 365 or visit www.HRTwentyFour.com.
LIBRARY ADDIITION A CATALYST FOR DOWNTOWN: The proposed connector between the main library and the former Central Elementary School allows the library to offer more services, provide room for a relaxing coffee shop and offer patrons more materials. The project was cited as one of the main catalysts to helping spur downtown revitalization in the HyettPalma plan. The library’s board voted to go back to Ross County’s ballot in November for a bond issue to help pay for the connector plus make major improvements to its branches in Bainbridge and Frankfort. All of the projects are expected to cost $8.3 million.
BAB AN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Wednesday’s Business After Business at Chillicothe Fire and Security on Marietta Road will be a good time to congratulate Clara and Dick Kutschbach on the 20th anniversary of their business. The usual food and beverages will be available along with plenty of opportunities to catch up with business associates and friends. Let us know if you plan to attend: BAB registration
TAX BILLS TO BE PAID BY JULY 13: The second half real estate tax bills went into the mail earlier this week and apparently many will be paid through electronic transfers. Ross County Treasurer Jerry Byers reports increased use of bank transfers in recent years to the point 5,000 are using the method. To learn how to convert, call Byers at 702-3080 or email him at rosstreas@bright.net.
NEW SBA PROGRAM TARGETS THE MILITARY: The Patriot Express Pilot Loan is for veterans, reservists, Guardsmen, their spouses and related groups who want to start or grow their businesses. Loans are available for up to $500,000 and qualify for SBA’s maximum guaranties. The loans are for start-ups, expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, inventory or business-occupied real estate purchases. For more details: www.sba.gov/patriotexpress.
OU-C OFFERING PUBLIC MANAGER PROGRAM: Area city, county and state government employees are eligible to enroll in the new Ohio Certified Public Manager Program that starts Aug. 15 at Ohio University-Chillicothe. The program consists of 300 hours of training to be provided twice a month on topics such as leadership, planning, ethics, labor relations and accounting. Those who complete the program receive national accreditation. The deadline to enroll is Aug. 1. For more information: www.voinovichcenter.ohio.edu/OCPM or call Belle Cancellare at 877-321-6276 or by email at cancella@ohio.edu.
ADENA OFFERS MURDER MYSTERY DINNER: “The Murder of Lindsey Woolsey” is the topic for a dinner at Adena Mansion and Gardens Saturday, June 30. It is loosely based on an actual event at Adena in 1880. Guests get a chance to tour the grounds and mansion and talk to “witnesses” in the visitors center who will provide clues. The mystery will be solved at the dinner. Members of the Friends of Adena (www.friendsofadena.org) and Ohio Historical Society participate for $32 and non-members for $40. Call 772-1500 to make a reservation by June 25.
BOBCATS COMING TO TOWN: Coaches and administrators from the Athletic Department of Ohio University will be at Shoemaker Center at the Chillicothe campus Tuesday, June 26 as part of the Ohio Bobcat Club Caravan. The event is 6:30-8:30 with registration available at bobcatclub@ohio.edu or by calling 740-593-1119. OU attire is encouraged.
BUILDING PERMITS: Here’s who’s been issued a commercial building permit recently from the Chillicothe Building Department:
- Chillicothe Baptist Church, 14100 Ohio 104, electrical and signs, $1,000 value.
- Oak Hill Banks, 49 E. Water St., addition and alteration, $150,000.
- Lionel Beatty and Susan Natoli, 436 Western Ave., signs, $2,500.
- Chillicothe City Schools, sidewalk and curb replacements at 125 Cutright Drive (Hopewell) and 145 S. Bridge St. (Tiffin), total value $12,140.
- Homeland Credit Union, 310 Caldwell St., sidewalk and curb replacement, $510.
- Sunrush Enterprises, 2530 Western Ave., alterations, $30,000.
- Robert and Barbara Puffer, 45 W. Second St., signs, $350.
- Seth Brown, 53 E. Second St., signs, $200.
- Landmark Properties Group, 4 Consumer Drive (Shawnee Square), alterations, $31,815.
- Metropolitan Housing, 801 Lincoln Park, alterations, $39,000.