Chamber calendar

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.

Thursday, November 15: Board of Directors, Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, noon.

Thursday, December 13: Ross County Safety Council, special holiday program, Chillicothe Country Club, 11:30 a.m., Luncheon 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

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

Magazine, newspaper put

Chillicothe in the spotlight

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

Ohio Magazine and the Columbus Dispatch are helping to get the word out to the rest of the state (and the nation, for that matter) that this is a great place to live, work and play. It’s publicity that’s worth millions of dollars.

Chosen as one of Ohio’s “Best Hometowns”, Chillicothe was included in Ohio Magazine’s selections from five regions around the state. It’s the second year for the selections by the editors. Publisher Richard Osborne wrote that Chillicothe "is the perfect blend of modern progress and historic charm."

Cited as factors in the selection were the thriving downtown, the growth in businesses on North Bridge Street, the new school construction, the increase in enrollment at the Ohio University regional campus and the expansion of Adena Health System.

Last Sunday, the Dispatch began what will be a 12-part series entitled “Chillicothe: America’s bellwether” in the nation’s politics. “Smack in the mainstream” was the Page 1A headline on the first installment that cited the numerous campaign visits to the city by past presidents and contenders, including the current President George Bush, John Kerry and former President Bill Clinton.

The story noted that the results of recent presidential elections in Chillicothe closely mirrored the results in all of Ohio, thus the reason for spotlighting Chillicothe on the 4^th day of every month leading up to the Nov. 4, 2008 presidential election. “As the data seem to suggest, you have (in Chillicothe) a lot of persuadable voters ready to listen to both sides of what should be an aggressive campaign,” said David Wilhelm, an Athens native who now runs a venture capital firm and who led Clinton’s national campaign in 1992.

The Dispatch said the series will chronicle “their worries, hopes and preferences in a time of war and economic uncertainty.”

Carlisle work could begin next week

Work to stabilize the roof and weather-proof the Carlisle Building is expected to begin next week, according to one source. A work program was to be presented for approval to city officials first for their OK, but contractors could be onsite soon.

In addition to the roof, other work that’s expected to be done right away before the winter weather sets in:

• Weather-proof the turret/tower.
• Fix or remove any loose masonry.
• Remove the chute used for trash disposal on Main Street.
• Replace as many windows as possible with glass, depending on the condition of their frames.
• Address any safety hazards.
• Remove the chain-link fence, if at all possible.

Survey: Advocacy, economic development important to you

Chamber members gave their organization an overall grade of B-plus in a survey conducted about two weeks ago in advance of the biannual strategic planning retreat of the Board of Directors. Members scored their overall satisfaction with the chamber at 3.76 on a scale of 1-5, with 64 percent saying they were very or extremely satisfied with the value they receive for being chamber members.

Other results:

• 67 percent said it’s very or extremely important for the chamber to be an advocate for business issues and 53 percent said the chamber was very or extremely effective in addressing business issues.
• 71 percent said they felt the chamber was very or extremely involved in local economic development efforts and 52 percent said they felt the chamber was effective in those efforts.
• The top four services, in order, deemed most important by members: Referrals to members by callers or visitors, the chamber’s website, the Weekly Update newsletter and access to the mailing list of all members.
• 78 percent said the local economy was headed in the right direction versus 38 percent who said the national economy was headed in the right direction. (In a similar poll seven months ago, the same 78 percent said the local economy was headed in the right direction while 55 percent said the same of the national economy.)

The survey was completed by 88 members of whom 67 percent were service type businesses and 12 percent in retail.

At the retreat at Deer Creek Resort, the board reaffirmed the chamber’s involvement in the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio and the downtown initiative as well as establishing systems to better track referrals to members and retaining members along with exploring ways to better serve its smallest members and providing administrative support for a new SCORE branch being formed.

For the first time, the board retreat included a panel discussion with community leaders. Participating: Mayor Joe Sulzer, Commissioner Jim Caldwell, Joe Molnar, Phil Satterfield of the Ross-Pike Educational Service Center, Scott Blue of Kenworth and Allen Rupiper of the Alliance.

COUNTIES CONVERGED ON BAB: Your chamber was well represented at last week’s Quad County Business After Business at the Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center. With the board meeting there for its retreat, the BAB provided great entertainment and food after the first day. Our guests mingled with those from Pickaway, Fayette and Madison counties. Check out more than 30 photos from the event: www.chillicothe-chamber.smugmug.com.

GLATFELTER’S LOCAL PLANS ON TRACK: “Our improvement plan for Chillicothe helped drive a 46 percent increase in operating income for the Specialty Paper business unit,” said George Glatfelter II, chairman and CEO, in releasing the company’s third quarter financial results. “Our profit improvement initiatives at Chillicothe remain on schedule. We are realizing measurable benefits …,” he said of the local operations Glatfelter acquired about 18 months ago.

PARADE, PROGRAM PLANNED FOR VETERANS: The Veterans Affairs Medical Center is celebrating Veterans Day with a dedication of the Camp Sherman gate posts at 10 a.m. Sunday followed by a program in the stadium at 11 and a parade on the grounds at 1. A display of military and patriotic items will be in the gymnasium from 10-4. Many businesses and governments will be closed Monday in observance of the holiday.

SPECIAL LOANS AVAILABLE TO VETERANS: The Small Business Administration says more than 500 guaranteed loans amounting to $51 million have been given to veterans through its Patriot Express program. The loans, for almost any business purpose, are available to veterans, service members leaving active duty, Reservists, National Guard members and their spouses and widows. For more details: www.sba.gov/patriotexpress.

PETLAND ADDS CONSULTANT: Jeff Wiehe is the new business improvement consultant for Petland’s corporate office. He will provide assistance to establish aquatic departments in Petland stores and the Aquarium Adventure stores. He is a native of Celina and formerly was general manager of the Aquarium Adventure store in Columbus from 1997-2005.

SUN SHINE ADDS CONSULTANT: Caylee Lynne Gragg, a graduate of Paint Valley is a new tanning consultant for Sun Shine Tanning Studio at Water and Mulberry streets.

GIFT POST HOLDING OPEN HOUSE: The Holiday Open House of the Gift Post at 601 E. Main St. is Friday and Saturday from 10-7. Refreshments and drawings.

RECEPTION TO MARK ADOPTION MONTH: “Dreams of a Family” reception is set for 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 at the Pump House Center for the Arts by Ross County Job and Family Services to celebrate Adoption Awareness Month. The public is invited to attend the event which will feature portraits of adoptive children. Call 772-7617 for more information.

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

• The Promise Radio Network, 41.5 S. Paint St., by Scott Saunders, 779-3566, www.promiseradionetwork.com.

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

• Franklin Township, 100 George Hollow Road, new fire station, $266,000.
• Brookside Church, 2215 Egypt Pike, new addition, no value given.
• Kingston IGA, 9277 Ohio 159, new pole sign and install outside gas line, $23,000.
• Kenworth Truck Company, 65 Kenworth Drive, permits to install temporary trailer, install outdoor ABS and make alterations to security building, total value $183,000.
• American Car, 875 Eastern Ave., permits for moving meter base and electrical service to trailer, no value given.
• City Centre, 126 E. Second St., roofing, $6,000.
• Beatrice Beverly, 135 E. Main St., garage demolition, no value given.
• Carl and Virginia Roberts, 383 N. High St., electrical service upgrade, $2,500.
• Shawn and Susan Bower, 109 W. Main St., façade alterations, $13,000.
• Richard Richter, 1655 N. Bridge St., alterations, $21,000.
• Jeffrey and Sharon Adams, 364 E. Main St., new structure, $12,000.
• Landmark Christian Church, 912 Dayton St., porch, $4,000.
• Chillicothe Board of Education, 77 Cutright Drive, alterations, $3,000.
• St. Peter's Catholic Church, 119 Church St., handicapped ramp, $8,440.
• Robert and Martha Hamm, 38 S. Paint St., HVAC replacement, $1,800.
• Trinity United Methodist Church, 28 S. Mulberry St., sidewalk, $4,200.

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

• Walton DDS, 51 N. Plaza Blvd., by Affordable Dentures Chillicothe.
• Cheadle’s, 347 S. Watt St., by Brandon Cheadle.
• Images Unique Studio, 30 E. Main St.
• Route 50 Wholesale Barn, 14568.5 U.S. 50, by Amy Hardman.
• J&S DJ, 12300 Pleasant Valley Road, by Wayne and Joy Miller.
• The Olive Garden, 1417 N. Bridge St., by GMRI.
• Dody Terry Limited, 20 Rookwood Drive, by Dorothy Terry.
• Gourmet Grounds, 23 S. Paint St., by Gourmet Grounds Inc.
• TCB Commercial Cleaning, 56 Star Drive, by Cynthia Adkins.

FRANKFORT GETTING NEW SUBDIVISION: Forty-seven lots, ranging from one-half to 1.5 acres, are now available just outside Frankfort and adjacent to the Adena school complex, thanks to the Community Action Commission of Fayette County. The ribbon was cut on the Arrowhead Village this week by the group that worked with local, state and national governments. Special programs are available for low-income families.