Chamber calendar

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

Wednesday, December 12: Leadership Chillicothe Ross session, starts 7:45 a.m. at Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health Center.

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

Thursday, December 13: Community Development and Advocacy Committee, 4 p.m., chamber.

Monday, December 17: Executive Committee, 8:30 a.m., chamber.

Wednesday, December 19: Business After Business at Rent-2-Own, North Bridge Street, BAB registration.

Thursday, December 20: Board of Directors, Kenworth Truck Company, noon.

Wednesday, January 9: 2008 Economic Forecast Luncheon, featurig industry CEOs and economic development officials; 11:30 a.m., Chillicothe Country Club, $15 members, $25 non-members; Luncheon registration.

What's happening this weekend? Check out the community events calendar.

Economic Development
www.edaso.org

Downtown Chillicothe
www.downtownchillicothe.com

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

Restaurant scene changes

on an almost daily basis

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

Sure, we know Olive Garden plans to open Monday, Dec. 17. And that Mona Lisa’s Café downtown (former Portabellos) is in the midst of a stealth opening. But there seems to be a bunch more activity lately on the local dining scene.

 Word came this week that IHOP may open in the long-vacant Fazoli’s in front of Shawnee Square on North Bridge Street. Formerly known as the International House of Pancakes, IHOP already is in our market since it recently acquired the Applebee’s franchises.

A local group known as Coral Reef Enterprises apparently hopes to open a restaurant in the triangular building at Riverside, Race and Mulberry streets. The group is going for a zoning change with the city’s Planning Commission, but more hurdles may be involved. At one time, that property housed a tavern.

The concrete was being smoothed Wednesday just ahead of the storm at the site for the new White Castle on North Bridge. No word yet on when it plans to open, but a good guess would be in the spring.

Local industry CEOs, others to share 2008 plans

The CEOs of three of the biggest drivers of our regional economy will share what’s in store for their companies at the second annual Economic Forecast Luncheon sponsored by the chamber.

Expected to participate are Mark Shuter of the Adena Health System, Scott Blue of the Kenworth Truck Company and John Blind of Glatfelter. In addition, Chris Manegold of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio and Marvin Jones of the chamber will provide insight into other areas of the regional economy at the luncheon Wednesday, Jan. 9 at the Chillicothe Country Club.

The cost is $15 for chamber members and $25 for non-members. You can sign up now to attend: Forecast luncheon registration

Spec building taking shape in industrial park

The footers have been poured and the concrete block stacked allowing for the steel to rise for the speculative building of the Ross County Community Improvement Corporation.

The 50,000 square foot structure will be a shell with the floor and other features added when a tenant or tenants are found. The building is being financed through a special program of the Ohio Department of Development for rural areas. The hope is that the proceeds from the sale or lease of this building will be used to help construct another one and that the process would continue almost indefinitely.

This will make the fifth building in the Gateway Interchange Industrial Park on Ohio 104, joining the FedEx transfer depot, FedEx Ground quarters, Samuel Stephen College and Carr Supply. Plenty of lots are still available for development and all are inside the city limits.

Tech prizes to be handed out at next BAB

Rent-2-Own plans to hand out an iPod Nano, a bookshelf stereo with iPod inputs, a digital camera and a GPS device to the holders of the lucky door prize tickets at its Business After Business Wednesday, Dec. 19 from 5-7 p.m. Accurate Mechanical is serving as a co-sponsor for the last BAB of 2007.

In addition to the technology prizes, Rent-2-Own on North Bridge Street across from Shawnee Lanes also plans to hand out some furniture accessories. The Old Canal Smokehouse is providing the food and Classic Brands the beverages. The prizes will be awarded throughout the night. Make sure to sign up to attend: BAB registration

Kenworth parent paying special dividend

Paccar announced Wednesday it is paying a special dividend of $1 to its shareholders in addition to the regular dividend of 18 cents. The news moved the price of shares up nearly 8 percent. The special dividend is being paid Jan. 7 and the regular dividend March 5.

Free disaster plan available on online from Nationwide

Small business owners looking to develop a disaster plan can go online to download a preparedness guide. Nationwide Insurance and the Small Business Administration teamed to develop and launch the 10-page guide. Learn more here: www.nationwide.com

Glatfelter purchases United Kingdom company

Glatfelter, the owner of Chillicothe’s papermaking operations, bought Metallised Products Limited in the United Kingdom. The company makes products for both industrial and consumer applications. Glatfelter paid $7.2 million for the company’s stock and paid off its debt of $6 million.

Engineering firm to have Canadian owners

Chamber member R.D. Zande and Associates, based in Columbus, is being acquired by Stantec, based in Edmonton, Alberta. Zande, a civil and environmental engineering firm, has about 300 employees while Stantec has 7,500 workers in 100 offices in North America. The Columbus office will serve the Great Lakes region following the sale, expected to be completed in January.

AMA Sign forming national division

Gary LeMaster has been hired to head up the new National Sales and Service Organization of the AMA Sign Company of America. Tim Ault, AMA’s vice president of business development, said LeMaster will head up the new division to take advantage of the company’s growth opportunities.

Chillicothe Packaging honors employees

Carvel Hertenstein was honored for 22 years with Chillicothe Packaging recently while Kevin North, director of operations, hit his 10-year anniversary. Others recognized were Gene Dreher for 8 years, Robert Taylor for 3 and Charles Marshall and Michael Anthony for 1 each.

Newest members

Here’s who’s joined the chamber recently:

• The Southern Hills Entertainment Group, 1872 Vollmar Road, by Mark Reese, 703-1845, www.gospelmusicopry.com
• Pryor Enterprises, 263 Rozelle Creek Road, by Raymond Pryor, 663-5310, table and chair rentals and apparel printing.

Vendor licenses

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

• Angela Barker, 14552 Ohio 138, Clarksburg
• Weddings by Nathan, 611 Linn St., Nathan Cutright.
• Grannie’s Attic, 3978 U.S. 50, Bainbridge, by Fran Rippetoe.