Chamber calendar

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.

Thursday, January 10: Ross County Safety Council, Chillicothe Country Club, 11:30 a.m., Luncheon registration.

Chamber-related links

Economic Development
www.edaso.org

Downtown Chillicothe
www.downtownchillicothe.com

Chillicothe YPN
www.chillicotheypn.com

Visitors Bureau
www.visitchillicotheohio.com

Chamber event photos
www.chillicothe-chamber.smugmug.com

Click above to go to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce site for small business

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

All the signs are pointing

to continued progress in 2008

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

While everyone’s handling last-minute preparations and shopping for Christmas, it’s not too early to look ahead to the next year and what’s in store for Chillicothe, Ross County and southern Ohio. Especially since this will be the last newsletter for 2007.

On the job creation front, there are some very encouraging signs:

• The Paccar Medical Education Center is slated for a fall opening on the Adena Health System campus. The $15 million, state-of-the-art training facility for nurses and other health professionals means new jobs in addition to the continued expansion of the system. Work is expected to begin late next year on the facility off Western Avenue to make room for about 26 more family physicians and supporting staff.
• Kenworth Truck Company is gearing up for an expected upturn in orders ahead of another engine emissions standard in 2010. The recent physical expansion of the plant will accommodate more employees to handle the new orders starting in the second half of the year.
• Increased production at Kenworth always translates into more workers for its local suppliers and vendors such as Vitatoe Industries, Riffle Machine Works (already building larger quarters), Trim Systems and ActiveUSA.
• The YSK Corporation already is in the process of adding 25 more employees as it ventures into new products for Honda and other automakers.
• USEC continues on the path to deploy the American Centrifuge Plant near Piketon. Suppliers and vendors also are ramping up operations to build and site the machines.

In addition to all of this activity, other projects will translate into a stronger local economy:

• Major improvements on the southeast corner of Paint and Main streets definitely are expected. The Carlisle Building has new owners with deeper pockets and a real willingness to see this prime piece of real estate put back into play. New offices, retail shops and other uses could be part of the mix.
• Construction is expected to start this spring on the Menard’s home improvement store on North Bridge Street, just north of Kmart. An early 2009 opening is scheduled. Several outlots also will be developed, similar to those in front of Sam’s Club.
• The Ross County Community Improvement Corporation is entertaining offers for the 50,000 square foot building it’s constructing in the Gateway Interchange Industrial Park off Ohio 104. The speculative building will be finished to the tenant’s or tenants’ desires.
• White Castle (formerly Rax) and Ihop (formerly Fazoli’s) will add to area’s dining possibilities on North Bridge Street.
• Walgreens still has plans to replace the service station and Skate-A-Way on Western Avenue at Plyely's Lane.
• The widening of Ohio 104 from the city limits to the Ohio 207 connector, past the two state prisons and VA Medical Center, is expected to start in 2008 and take a couple years to finish. A major new artery usually means new opportunities for commerce.

So, with all of this activity in the works, it’s easy to be optimistic for the local economy for 2008. But if you want to hear it all directly from the sources, plan to attend the chamber’s second Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at the Chillicothe Country Club.

Mark Shuter from Adena, Scott Blue from Kenworth and John Blind from Glatfelter headline the event with overviews provided by Chris Manegold of the Economic Development Alliance and yours truly. Sign up now: Forecast luncheon registration.

Promote the community in your waiting area

To add local flavor to your waiting room for clients and customers, the latest edition of the “Business Bulletin” from the Alliance is available. It’s a great way to remind local folks of all the positive local activity. Mailed to out-of-town developers and others who we want to consider bringing jobs to Ross County and southern Ohio, it also serves to promote the community from within.

Click here to see the latest edition and call the chamber office at 702-2722 to order copies for your office. It’s also designed to be taken home by your clients or customers. Or, just send an email to mjones@chillicotheohio.com telling us how many copies you’d’ like.

No dues increase for 2008 – unless you were very successful

Make sure your invoice for your 2008 dues doesn’t get lost in the holiday mail shuffle. Most of them went into the mail late this week so for those wanting to pay in this calendar year, you’ll have the opportunity. Otherwise, payment is due by Jan. 31.

For the vast majority of our members there will be no dues increase from 2007. Only those members with more than 8 employees who added more employees will see an increase, except in several categories.

Office closing over the holidays

The Welcome Center, which includes the chamber, visitors bureau and Alliance, will be closed all next week and on Jan. 31. We’ll re-open on Wednesday, Jan. 2. If you need assistance or have a question during this time, we’ll be checking email at mjones@chillicotheohio.com and our phone messages regularly. The next Weekly Update newsletter will be published on Jan. 4, 2008.

BAB was a comfortable affair

Rent-2-Own and Accurate Heating and Cooling made everyone feel right at home Wednesday at the Business After Business. With sofas and recliners galore on the showroom floor, Rent-2-Own provided a cozy setting. High-tech door prizes, such as an iPod Nano and Magellan GPS system, added to the holiday atmosphere. Photos will be up soon on the chamber's website: www.chillicothe-chamber.smugmug.com.

Electrical safety next up for council luncheon

Richard “Rick” Wood of Ohio TEC will discuss OSHA and NFPA 70E which deals with electrical safety in the workplace at the next luncheon of the Ross County Safety Council. It’s set for Thursday, Jan. 10 at the Chillicothe Country Club, beginning at 11:30. Also, council members are reminded to submit your semi-annual reports to Rosie in our office by the same date as the luncheon. The reports are another requirement to remain eligible for your premium discount.

“Crucial Conversations” explained at seminar

The local chapter of SHRM, in partnership with the chamber’s Workforce Development Department, is offering a seminar led by certified trainer kurt Southam, Ph.D. on improving personal and professional relationships that center on handling certain interactions. The seminar is Thursday, Jan. 17 from 8-10:30 a.m. at the Ross County Service Center. The charge is $25 for SHRM and chamber members and $35 for all others. The fee includes breakfast and session materials and all receive a copy of the book, “Crucial Conversations!”. Register by Jan. 14 by emailing spellm01@odjfs.state.oh.us.

Your answers will help shape wellness event

A coalition of area organizations is working to pull together a worksite wellness event on March 12 and would like to hear from you as to what you would like to see addressed. The group is focusing on the health and financial benefits that can result from a wellness program adopted by a business. Click the link to take a short survey that will help assess the area’s needs so that the event can be customized. All answers are confidential. Collaborating on this venture are the Adena Health Foundation, Ross County Health District, OSU Extension Service and the chamber. Here is the link: Wellness survey

Returns to the auto business

After a brief stint in small business banking, Chris Scott is back with Herrnstein family as the new general manager for their Hyundai dealership off Ohio 207 north of Chillicothe. He can be reached at 779-6555 or chris_scott@herrnstein.com.

Video conferencing equipment made available

Bishop Flaget is making available for rental to businesses and organization its new distance learning and video conferencing equipment. Sponsors for the program at the schools also are being sought. For more information, contact Ken Kessler at 774-2970 or kkessler@cdeducation.org.

USEC hires new manager

Charles Ladd is the new regulatory manager for USEC’s American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon. He has more than 25 years of experience in nuclear operations, including in Florida at a nuclear power plant as a licensed reactor operator.

Ross County has new budding author

Donald Ray Pollock, who spent more than 30 years in the local paper mills, recently signed a contract with a major publishing house and his first work, Knockemstiff, is a collection of short stories. He also recently had a story published in the Sunday New York Times. You can check him out here: www.donaldraypollock.com

Chamber grows with four new members

• Jet Electric, 179 Wiley Road, by Doug Ramsey, 703-1746.
• Direct Electric, 3944 Harris Station Road, Bainbridge, by Gary Shoults, 626-2157.
• Chillicothe Art League, 775-0233.
• John R. Wilber Nationwide Insurance, 106 S. Walnut St., 774-1225.
• PCI Heating-Cooling, 350 Piatt Ave., by Dave Green, 774-6752.

Building permits issued by Chillicothe and Ross County Building Departments:

• Herb Friedman, 71 E. Main St., HVAC, value $6,500.
• First Wesleyan Church, 89 S. Mulberry St., porch roof, $5,000.
• No owner given, 3 N. Bridge St., signs, $3,000.
• White Castle, 1000 N., Bridge St., signs, $1,900.
• Casa Del Taco, 1055 N. Bridge St., fence, $2,000.
• Kenworth Truck Company, 65 Kenworth Drive, Paint line, employee restroom renovations, $100,000.
• Adena Regional Medical Center, 110 Vaughn Lane, new addition, no value given.

Vendor licenses from the Ross County Auditor:

• Brite & Clean, 49 Douglas Ave., by Salt Creek Valley Enterprises.
• Hilltop Café, 101 University Drive, by Ohio University.
• Lloyd’s Sweet Shoppe, 22 W. Water St., by Corgi Confectionary.
• The Hilltop Bake Shoppe, 19186 Concord St., Adelphi, by Thornybrook Farms.
• Game Xpress, 750 Western Ave., by Jim and Marsha Cantrell.

 Seasons Greetings