Chamber calendar

Saturday, Sept. 1: Chillicothe Day at the Ohio University opening football game in Athens versus Gardner-Webb, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 6: Community Development and Advocacy Committee, chamber, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 11: Membership and Events Committee, chamber, 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday, Sept 12: Advantage Data Systems ribbon cutting, 33 North Plaza Boulevard, 10 a.m.

Thursday, Sept. 13: Candidates and Issue Night: Mayoral debate and presentations by other candidates; Ross County Service Center, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 19: Business After Business, Advantage Data Systems, 33 N. Plaza Boulevard, 5-7 p.m., BAB registration

Wednesday, November 21: Annual combined Business Expo and Business After Business, Shoemaker Convocation Center, Ohio University-Chillicothe, 5-8 p.m., registrations to be taken shortly.

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
45 E. Main St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-2722

Weekly Update ready

to start its sixth year

“Today, I hope to begin the first of periodic communications through our e-mail system that will get information out on a more timely basis …. I’d promise to do this weekly, but I know how time can get away and how some weeks there really isn’t a whole lot to report from the previous week.”

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

It’s hard to believe that it’s been since Aug. 30, 2002 when the first edition of what has become the chamber’s Weekly Update newsletter rolled out of my computer and onto to the screens of many of our members. Back then, we still had our printed Dateline newsletter, but it didn’t take long to figure this new way of communicating was the preferred method of the vast majority of you.

Back then, the edition was prepared in Microsoft Outlook and went to the slightly more than 500 members of the chamber. Today, Weekly Update is a permanent page on our website and reaches about 900 subscribers which includes not only the chamber’s 615 members, but also more than 200 employees of members. Back then, the edition was straight print. Today we try to make sure we have photos of our members enjoying themselves at chamber functions as well as photos of construction projects, ribbon cuttings and other local business-related news.

Back then, very few chambers produced electronic newsletters and those that did, monthly publication was the norm. Today, many chambers nationwide have abandoned the printed newsletter in favor of the electronic kind, but very few do it on a weekly basis.

In surveys and conversations, many of you tell us how much you value this newsletter. Communications is the key to nearly all successful partnerships and ventures and this is a way we can keep in touch with you and you can let others know what’s happening in your business.

It’s been a pleasure to provide this as one of the many benefits of your chamber membership and we’ll continue to look for ways to improve it and all other communications. As we said five years ago, “Any feedback you also will be appreciated.” You can send it to mjones@chillicotheohio.com

KENWORTH TO MAKE ELECTRIC TRUCKS?: While no specifics were given as to where it might build them, Paccar announced this week that it plans to make hybrid-powered heavy-duty trucks in the next two years. In a venture with the Cleveland-based Eaton Corp., Paccar said the hybrid truck would feature an electric motor/generator between the truck’s clutch and transmission, which will recover energy lost in the braking process and store the energy in batteries. This will increase fuel efficiency both while the truck is on the road or at a truck stop. The trucks are expected to be made by the end of 2009.

SCHOOL OFFICIALLY OPENS SEPT. 4: But about 1,000 were on hand last weekend when the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held at the new Chillicothe High School and Middle School on Yoctangee Parkway. CHS Student Council President Lova Green provided an entertaining look at the travails of the student body during the two years of construction, including the long walks from the parking lot to the front door and the jackhammers going off while the geometry teacher tried to explain isosceles triangles. The auditorium was awaiting new carpeting, but the cafeteria was open and serving hot dogs and other treats for the guests.

TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW: There’s no doubt that in the past 10 or so years, the quality and improvements in the parks in Chillicothe as well as the recreational offerings have improved substantially. The leadership of Brad Cosenza supported by a forward-looking board improved the quality of life for a vast majority of not only Chillicotheans, but also many in Ross and surrounding counties. His move to chamber member Litter Quality Propane leaves the mayor with some tough shoes to fill.

HEALTH TOPIC FOR NEXT YPN MEETING: “Healthy Concepts for Healthy Living” will be presented by Drs. Joe and Brandy Spaulding at the Thursday, Sept. 13 session of the Young Professionals Network, sponsored by Advantage Data Systems. They’ll discuss how to maintain a positive outlook and realistic goals when it comes to eating, dieting and living healthy. The meeting runs 5:30-7 at the Chillicothe Country Club and has a $5 admission charge. A cash bar will be available.

JAZZ THE THEME FOR TRADITIONS: A New Orleans-style dance and buffet dinner is set for the fund-raiser for Traditions of Chillicothe on Saturday, Sept. 7 that starts at 6:30. Cocktails, the buffet and an art exhibit are planned in addition to breaking in the new dance floor. Tickets are $50 each with proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s unit and the respite program. For tickets, call 773-8107.

CONTRIBUTION A WAY OF ADDING JOBS: Bill McKell, president of Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, said his firm’s $200,000 contribution toward the PACCAR Medical Education Center of the Adena Health System was seen as a way to help bring good jobs to the community. “Using innovation and technology to bring more and better paying jobs to southern Ohio benefits us all,” McKell said. Ground is expected to be broken shortly and the first class of nurses are scheduled to begin in the fall of 2008.

FIND EMPLOYEES AT JOB FAIR: In recognition of Workforce Services Month, the Jobs One-Stop is hosting a Job and Information Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 25 from 10-1 at 150 E. Second St. Employers, training providers and educational institutions can reserve space by clicking here: Job Fair.

WINNERS GOING TO THE GAMES: The Ross County OSU Alumni Association will give $5,000 in scholarships to upperclassmen next year thanks to the proceeds from the raffle of tickets to Ohio State football games. Linda Brown won the two season tickets while single-game winners were Greg Wells and Frank Hirsch.

NEW OFFICE UP AND RUNNING: The official ribbon was cut this week on the new home of Chillicothe Chiropractic and Wellness Center at 190 N. Bridge St. The practice moved from Delano Avenue to larger quarters for Drs. Charles Kitchen, Shawn Lunde and Don Weir and their staff.

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

• Terra’s Advertising Specialties, 12049 Heffner Road, Kingston, by Terra Wilhelm, 655-2296.
• Stoney Creek Cottage at Scioto Trail, 3174 Stoney Creek Road, vacation rental, by David Polk, 775-5082, www.stoneycreekcottage.com.
• CorCrane (Corcoran Crane Service), 1338 Delano Road, by Michael Corcoran, 775-2377.
• Chillicothe Lions Club, 1 Lions Drive.

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

• Nipgen Store, 144 Ohio 772, by Marlynn and Matthew Kottenbrook.
• Acord’s Pizza, sub and Pub, 2254 Blain Highway, by Glen and Susanne Acord.