Chamber calendar

Monday, July 2: Awards Committee, 4 p.m., chamber.

Wednesday, July 4: Office closed for Independence Day

Saturday, July 7: Ribbon cutting at new Subway at High and Buckeye streets, time to be determined.

Saturday, July 14: Groundbreaking for new shelter in Yoctangee Park by the Kiwanis Club.

Wednesday, July 18: Business After Business, Fifth Third Bank, West Main Street, BAB registration

Thursday, July 19: Executive Committee, 8:30 a.m., chamber.

Thursday, July 19: Great Seal Awards reception, Milestone Lodge, Debord Road, Awards registration

Tuesday, July 24: Build Your Own Business seminar by the OSU Small Business Development Center, 9 a.m., chamber; fee is $20; to register, call 740-289-3727 Ext. 111 or email jbauman@ag.osu.edu.

Thursday, July 26: Board of Directors, site to be determined, noon.

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.

For previous newsletter editions, click here

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Copyright 2007

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Developers licking their chops

at chance to get in on local action

In the past few months, commercial real estate developers from all across the state paid visits to the chamber and economic development offices to learn more about how they can get in on the action of our regional economy.

Representatives from firms in Columbus, Dayton and elsewhere stopped by to chat and pick up information for their clients that usually include regional or national restaurant and retail chains. They usually leave impressed and wanting more information.

The biggest stumbling block to attracting more business is convincing these “outsiders” that they need to look beyond Ross County’s borders when analyzing the market. Most firms familiar with urban settings look at statistics for a certain mile radius. We try to convince them, through reliable information, that Chillicothe truly is a regional shopping, dining, medical and employment center for south central Ohio and that at least all contiguous counties need to be included in their analysis.

Also helping to convince them that this is a great place in which to do business is the on-going activity in the city and county. We tell them about other developments that are coming that they can’t see. We tell them about things such as:

• The Menard’s home improvement development coming on North Bridge Street in 2009 that includes a couple outlots.
• The Olive Garden restaurant going up soon at Bridge Street and Seney Road.
• The planned expansion at Adena Health System that will add about 300-500 jobs in the next five years.
• The expansion just completed at Traditions of Chillicothe where employment went from 47 in December to 120 today.
• The expansions at Kenworth and YSK that will mean more jobs in the future.
• The Aldis grocery planned for further up North Bridge.
• The Sam’s Club opening last September and the development of the outlots in front of it very soon.
• The strip centers of Sunrush Development on Western Avenue in addition the new offices for Social Security and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
• The new Knisley’s Pharmacy going up across from Dakota’s Roadhouse.
• The new KFC at Western and Plyley’s.
• The new Walgreen’s planned opposite the new KFC.
• The planned widening of Ohio 104 next year.
• The spec building that will be ready this fall in the Gateway Interchange Industrial Park.
• The revitalization of the downtown historic business district.

The list can go on and on, but the picture is extremely clear: Chillicothe and Ross County continue to add to the number of businesses and services available to the people of south central Ohio.

(Hint: Feel free to forward this newsletter to any of your friends who might be in a position to also take advantage of our great business climate.)

RECEPTION SET TO HONOR GREAT SEAL WINNERS: The winners of the second annual Great Seal Awards of the chamber will be announced at a special reception Thursday, July 19. The Awards Committee shortly will choose this year’s winners who will join those honored at a luncheon last year in July. The awards honor chamber members who have exhibited leadership in the community through expansion, an increase in jobs, innovativeness and service to the community. The committee also will consider possible recipients of the Lifelong Achievement award. Winners of the awards will be announced at a reception at Milestone Lodge that begins at 5:30 p.m. with appetizers and beverages. The ceremonies begin at 6:30. The cost is $10 and reservations now are being taken: Awards registration

CHAMBER, DISTRICT FIRST TO ENDORSE DOWNTOWN PLAN: The HyettPalma Economic Enhancement Strategic Plan for downtown Chillicothe was adopted as “the” guide for revitalizing the historic business district by the chamber’s Board of Directors in a unanimous vote Thursday afternoon. Earlier in the week, the board of the First Capital District also approved the resolution of adoption. Several other organizations and City Council are studying the plan and considering similar resolutions. While non-binding, the resolutions send a message that the organizations recognize the efforts of the community to develop a master plan for downtown revitalization.

JAYCEES WIN (AGAIN) CHAMBER OUTING: The “youngsters” from the Chillicothe Jaycees once again took top honors in the chamber’s annual golf outing held last week at Dogwood Hills Golf Course. The team of Matt Sutherland, Seth Brown, Jeremy Forcum and Brian Forcum shot a 14-under round of 57. That was one shot better than the teams from Classic Brands, Dogwood Hills and the McAllister-led crew (shown in photo celebrating a birdie putt). There were 26 teams in the field. Photos of every team plus about 20 other action shots are available on the chamber’s photo website: www.chillicothe-chamber.smugmug.com

COULD YOUR BUSINESS USE SOME HELP?: Whether you have an established business, an emerging business or you’re thinking about starting a business, the “Building Your Own Business Workshop” might have some tips to make it even more profitable. The July 24 seminar is co-sponsored by the OSU Small Business Development Center and the chamber. It runs 9-noon in the chamber conference room and costs $20. Since space is limited, make your reservations early by calling Joy Bauman at 740-289-3727 Ext. 111 or email her at jbauman@ag.osu.edu.

NOTES FROM MEMBERS:

• Leading Edge Integration is moving to 74 N. Plaza Boulevard in larger facilities, starting on Monday. The facility will house the Network Design and Management operations as well as a new Helpdesk and Network Monitoring Center.
• Steve Wilson is a new equipment operator for Cross Creek Excavating.
• The Gift Post’s annual food drive for the Good Samaritan Network runs through July 7. Non-perishable food items or monetary donations may be dropped off at 601 E. Main St. from 10-7 Tuesday through Saturday. Donors receive a hand-held American flag and a store gift certificate.

FIFTH THIRD TO HOST NEXT BAB: The West Main Street branch of Fifth Third Bank is hosting the next Business After Business on Wednesday, July 18. Manager Bill Digges is lining up the food, beverages and activities for the networking event that runs 5-7 p.m. As a reminder, the BAB is open to all chamber members and their employees, so spread the word in your building. A bunch of chamber members had a bunch of fun at the June BAB at Chillicothe Fire & Security that was co-sponsored by Office City Express, People Plus of Ohio and Chillicothe Pepsi. Check out how much fun they had: www.chillicothe-chamber.smugmug.com

RIBBON CUTTINGS SPOTLIGHT CHANGES: Chad Walters (with the scissors) cut the ribbon on his new enterprise on South Paint Street last week. The combined Valero/Subway operation now sells beer and the car wash is an integral part of the business. Friday morning, the staff of National City officially recognized the grand opening of its renovated drive-through area after it was damaged in an accident a couple months back. Manager Nancy Russell (with the scissors) did the honors.

ENTREPRENEUR AN ENTREPRENEUR FINALIST: Robert Litter of Litter Industries was one of three finalists in this year’s Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for South Central Ohio and Kentucky in the distribution category. While he didn’t win, the chamber’s 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year was recognized at a ceremony in Cincinnati Thursday evening.

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

• Choice Limousine, 69 S. Walnut St., by Lance Vallery, 708-9715
• Up-Close Advertising, 97 E. Second St., by Deb Main, 775-0558
• Sherwin-Williams, 170 N. Bridge St., by Scott Johnson, 774-4750
• Phillips & Bugg Law Office, 37 N. Paint St., 775-3300

BUILDING PERMITS: Here’s who’s been issued a commercial building permit recently from the Chillicothe and Ross County Building Departments:

• Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, 30 E. Main St., fire protection, value $13,100.
• Patrick McNeill, 37 N. Bridge St., HVAC replacement, $6,500.
• Nourse Family of Dealerships, 423 N. Bridge St., two permits for addition and signs, total value $605,000.
• Thomas Burke, 19 E. Main St., roofing, $3,000.
• Ross-DECA, 178 E. Main St., signs, $750.
• GMRI (for Olive Garden), 1417 N. Bridge St., demolition, $15,000.
• Chillicothe Board of Education, 235 Cherry St., fire protection, $2,114.
• Chillicothe Metropolitan Housing, 174 W. Fourth St., fire protection, $28,950.
• Doug McElwee, 2758 Ohio 41, new dollar store, $300,000.
• Zane Trace Schools, 946 Ohio 180, various improvements to athletic complex, $264,000; and new storage addition, $36,000.
• Overman Crane, 15179 Pleasant Valley Road, upgrade electrical service, $2,000.
• Community United Methodist Church, 8585 Ohio 180, new sanctuary and classroom facility, $866,725.
• Kenworth Truck Co., three permits, total value $21,000.
• Liberty Baptist, 1530 Western Ave., sign, $900.
• Hiawatha Inn, 2576 Massieville Road, roofing, $6,000.
• Ohio Department of Transportation, install light meter bases at Larrick Lane and Pleasant Valley Road, $500,000.
• Acord’s Carryout, 2254 Blain Highway, renovations, $25,000.
• Walnut Manor, 119 W. High St., Frankfort, new building, $1.54 million; install sprinkler at 752 High St., Frankfort, $40,000.
• Valley Grain, Railroad Street, Kingston, $50,000.

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

• Custom Power Sports, 3200 S. Bridge St., by Randall Bellaw.
• Paint Valley Tire, 105 Webster St., Bainbridge, by Roger Carter.
• Grace Butcher, 6176 Charleston Pike.
• Fiesta Salons, 16 Consumer Center Drive, by Regis Corporation.
• Susie’s Gifts for All Seasons, 117 Applewood Drive, by Susanne Jones.
• Rick Cade, 5851 U.S. 23.
• At Touch, 190 W. Second St., by Rhiannon Hurless.
• High Street Automotive, 615 N. High St., by Troy Gainer.
• Tecumseh Terrace Buffet, 5968 Marietta Road, by Luap Inc.

In case you thought you missed it, Weekly Update was on vacation last week, recovering from the golf outing!