Chamber calendar

Monday, October 15: Board Development Committee, Chamber, Noon

Tuesday, October 16: Membership and Events Committee, Chamber, 11:30

Wednesday, Oct. 17: Business After Business, Samuel Stephen College, Ohio 104 north, 5-7 p.m., BAB registration

Thursday, October 18: Community Development and Advocacy Committee, Chamber, 4 p.m.

Thursday, November 1: Quad County Business After Business, Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center, with Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, 5-7 p.m.

Wednesday, November 14: Annual combined Business Expo and Business After Business, Shoemaker Convocation Center, Ohio University-Chillicothe, 5-8 p.m., click here to reserve space for your exhibit: Expo registration.

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

Other business activity helps

mitigate downturn at Kenworth

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

This week’s announcement of more layoffs and extended shutdowns at the Kenworth Truck Company plant sends chills through many segments of the local economy. Our thoughts are with those who will not report to work on Oct. 29 and the hopes of all is that they will return as soon as the heavy-duty truck business gains some steam.

While Kenworth’s news gives pause to many in the community, there are other indications that help mitigate the ramifications:

• Construction begins next week on the new Paccar Medical Education Center of the Adena Health System in addition to continuing construction on the Women’s and Children’s Center and other improvements totaling millions of dollars. Employment is expected to increase by about 100 by the end of next year.
• The speculative building of the Community Improvement Corporation gets into high gear next week in the Gateway Interchange Industrial Park on Ohio 104. The hope is to have a tenant or tenants for the 50,000 square foot structure shortly after it’s completed early next year.
• USEC’s American Centrifuge Plant project in Piketon means new permanent jobs as well as construction jobs for the next couple of years, at least.
• The state grant to Glatfelter to help re-train and provide new skills to its employees averts the potential for layoffs and positions the company to become more competitive in the global marketplace.
• North Bridge Street’s role as a magnet for shopping, dining and entertainment is strengthened in the next 12 months with the addition of the Menard’s home improvement store, the opening shortly of the Aldis grocery and Olive Garden Restaurant and space for tenants in front of Sam’s Club.

Many in the community are working to provide jobs for everyone who wants one. And we’re all working to keep the bumps to a minimum.

UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF: The Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest highlights the “Community Day” events Sunday in Yoctangee Park that signals the start of this year’s United Way campaign. Other events include pumpkin painting, a Petland Pet Fair, and activities and displays from 1-5 p.m. Registration for the sidewalk art contest is $5 and entry forms can be faxed or emailed by calling 773-3280. Winners will be named in eight categories. Bob Gallagher of the Ross County Department of Job and Family Services is chairman of the campaign to raise $725,000 for the 18 agencies.

BAB NEXT WEEK AT COLLEGE; NOV. 1 AT DEER CREEK: Samuel Stephen College on Ohio 104 hosts the Business After Business Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. The usual food and beverages are planned while guests will get a chance to check out the college facilities. If you plan to attend, please let us know: BAB registration. Also, don’t forget to mark your calendars for a “bonus” BAB on Thursday, Nov. 1 at the Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center.  Guests are expected from Pickaway, Fayette and Madison counties so it will be a good time to network with potential new customers. Registration will begin after Wednesday.

$208,000 FLOWS BACK INTO COMMUNITY: Eighty-six businesses and government agencies received checks Thursday totaling $207,830 from the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation. The checks, delivered after a talk on fire safety by Professor Ron Hopkins of Eastern Kentucky University, honored the organizations for their participation in the Ross County Safety Council’s premium discount program from July 2006 through June 2007. By meeting all of the criteria, the organizations were rebated 4 percent of their premiums. Taking home the largest checks for government agencies were Chillicothe City Schools ($9,141), the city of Chillicothe ($12,953), Frontier Community Services ($7,171), Pike County government ($17,192), Ross County government ($17,593), Union-Scioto Schools ($4,507) and Zane Trace Schools ($4,279). A BWC spokesman said she hoped the organizations would use the rebates to further enhance their safety programs.

ADENA WANTS TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU: With plans to spend $180 million in infrastructure upgrades, new construction and equipment in the next several years, the Adena Health System invites local businesses to learn more about how to compete for a share of those funds. A “Doing Business with Adena” seminar is set for Tuesday, Oct. 30 from 2-4 p.m. in the board room at the center. You’ll learn about Adena’s construction policies and requirements, working with its Purchasing Office and the overall vision of the system. There’s no charge for the seminar, but reservations need to be made by 4 p.m. Oct. 26. If you plan to attend, call Dottie Wintersheimer at 779-7511.

PETLAND CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY: Starting with a tiny store on South Paint Street that opened Oct. 21, 1967, Petland, founded by former chamber Entrepreneur of the Year Ed Kunzelman, now has 202 locations in the United States, Canada, Chile, Japan and South Africa. Plans are to open a store in China soon. Petland continues to pursue its mission of “matching the right pet with the right person and meeting the needs of both.”

CHAMBER NOW HAS MAP LINK: An online map of Chillicothe and Ross County is now available 24/7 from the chamber’s website: www.chillicotheohio.com. Several advertisers on the chamber’s latest printed map from NovoPrint opted to upgrade to an online link on the map that sites their business and takes visitors to their websites. Click here to go directly to the map: Chillicothe-Ross County map.

GROUP TO CELEBRATE WORKING WOMEN: "What Every Woman Should Know About Social Security" will be presented Thursday at the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library as part of the week-long celebration of National Business Women's Week by the local chapter of the Business and Professional Women. The event, open to the public, begins with networking at 5:30 and the presentation at 6.

WEBSITE GETS AN OVERHAUL: Pet supplies and prescriptions can be ordered online and delivered to your home, thanks to the upgraded website of the Chillicothe Animal Clinic. There’s also information on a program offering monthly payment options and classifieds if you’re looking for a dog, cat or other animal or one that might be lost. Check it out: www.chillicothevets.com.

SPREAD THE WORD ON CAPITALISM: Junior Achievement is looking for volunteers for some of its programs in county schools this year. Instructors for a personal money management class at Chillicothe High School and for the “Our Nation” program at Mt. Logan Elementary are needed along with other programs for which you would receive training. Businesses also can consider using a team approach in which more than one employee can volunteer for the same class. To volunteer or for more information: Kathy Litter Ray, 775-8420 or kray@bright.net.

GRANT TO HORIZON OPENS COMMUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT: Darbyville in Pickaway County will have a much better chance to land business and industry while residents can come into the 21^st century, thanks to a grant to Horizon Chillicothe Telephone. The Rural Utility Service Community Connect grant means Darbyville will go from slow-speed dial-up internet service to top-of-the-line fiber optic service. Since business can hardly exist without high-speed internet service, Darbyville has been left behind.

NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE CITIZEN: The Chillicothe Jaycees are looking for nominees for their annual Citizen of the Year Award, to be handed out at the annual meeting in January. If you’d like to nominate someone, go to www.chillicothejaycees.org or call Angie Lochbaum at 775-3473. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 2.

OR, NOMINATE YOUR COMPANY: The Ohio Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Society of Human Resource Managers of Ohio, is looking again for the “Best Employers” in Ohio. Competition is open to both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations with at least 25 employees. Those chosen are honored at the Ohio chamber’s annual meeting in the spring. To learn more: www.bestemployersoh.com.

LEADERSHIP GROUP GETS TASTE OF HISTORY: The value of having a vision and establishing the teamwork to work toward that vision were driven home to the participants in the chamber’s Leadership Chillicothe Ross class this week. The group also got an up-close look at the heritage of the community with a visit to the Adena Mansion and Gardens after starting the day at the Ross County Heritage Center.

TRIPLE CROWN STARTING NEW SEASON: The sports facility off North Plaza Boulevard opens its fall season Saturday. There will be open inline skating Saturdays from 2-4 and 7-9:30 p.m. Bring your own skates. Signup is going on now for soccer leagues. Call 773-PLAY or visit www.triplecrownsports.net.

MINIMUM WAGE RISING TO $7: The state’s minimum wage on Jan. 1 will be $7.00 (up from $6.85), according to the Ohio Department of Commerce. This is the first adjustment following the constitutional amendment passed by Ohio voters last November, linking the figure to the Consumer Price Index. Tipped employees will see an increase to $3.50 from $3.43. The federal minimum wage goes to $6.55 on July 24.

PIKE GETTING NEW ODOT FACILITY: A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Thursday, Oct. 18 for the $6.5 million Pike County Highway Maintenance Facility. Going up off Grove Road, south of Piketon and west of the U.S. 32-23 interchange, the facility will include a 22,500 square foot building, a 7,680 square foot equipment building, a mixing shed and new barns for snow-removal chemicals. The ceremony starts at 1 p.m. It’s scheduled to be done next August.

READY TO GO GLOBAL?: The “Essentials of Exporting” seminar will cover topics to get your business into the world marketplace. It’s set for Thursday, Nov. 1 at the OSU South Centers in Piketon and runs 9-2 with a registration fee of $25 which covers a continental breakfast and lunch. To register and/or learn more: www.buyusa.gov/greatlakes/export101.html.

CENTER AN AWARD WINNER: The Ohio State University Endeavor Center in Piketon, a business incubator in the South Centers complex, recently was named the winner of the Excellence in Economic Development Award for rural areas by the Economic Development Administration. The center was one of only seven in the nation to win an award and the only one in the rural area category. In two years, the center’s tenants have created 80 high-paying jobs and it is home to more than 20 small businesses.

MONDAY DEADLINE FOR BOARD NOMINATIONS: The Board Development Committee will accept nominations up until noon Monday to fill vacancies on the chamber’s Board of Directors beginning in January. To nominate yourself or a chamber member: Board nomination form.

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

• eFollett Bookstore at Ohio University-Chillicothe, 101 University Drive, by Andrea Park, 774-7780, www.efollett.com.

VENDORS LICENSE: Here’s who received a license recently from the Ross County Auditor:

• 2 Dollar Pistol Tattoo Shop, 203 N. Bridge St.
• Maria’s Mexican Food, 155 Whaley Place, by Lilianna Rodriguez and Jose Ramirez.
• Starlight Candles, 1940 Sulphur Spring Road, by Angela Wright.
• Good Sound, 46 N. Oak St., Kingston.
• Celebrations, Etc., 12 W. Water St., by Sandra Thompson.
• Serendipity, 135 E. Water St., by Serendipity of Chillicothe.
• All Things Treasured, 9747 Ohio 159, Kingston, by Jerri Jackson.
• Olde Thyme Primitives, 1362 Spud Run Road, by Connie Jo Moody.

BUSINESS OPENINGS CELEBRATED: This past week, two new members of the chamber celebrated their recent openings with ribbon cuttings. The top photo is of the eFollett Bookstore which opened in the lower level of Bennett Hall at Ohio University-Chillicothe. In addition to texts, it’s also a great place to pick up attire and other items to show your OU pride. Below, the managers from the region all got together to help celebrate the opening of the new Rent-2-Own facility in the former Childers Music Store on North Bridge Street across from Shawnee Lanes. December’s BAB will be held here. Check out chamber ribbon cuttings all the way back to 2003 at the chamber's photo website: www.chillicothe-chamber.smugmug.com.