Chamber calendar

Tuesday, January 8: Membership and Events Committee, 11:30 a.m., chamber.

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.

Tuesday, January 15: Workforce Academy on hiring tips, 8:30-noon, cost $10; Academy registration

Wednesday, January 16: Business After Business, Sunroom @ The Brick, Frankfort, 5-7 p.m.; BAB registration

Thursday, January 17: Executive Committee, 8:30, chamber.

Thursday, January 31: Board of Directors, noon, Huntington Bank.

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 2008

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
45 E. Main St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-2722

2008 chamber priorities

also showed up 45 years ago

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

In this new year, your chamber plans to continue its initiative in economic development, implement many provisions from the downtown strategic plan, find more opportunities for members to do business with other members and add to our membership. This will be in addition to strengthening the many other programs and services we provide, such as the Ross County Safety Council, leadership program and advocating for a business-friendly environment.

Some initiatives and programs never change. They are the core of the chamber’s mission. Only the specifics change from year to year. Take the 1963 “program of work” of this chamber as an example. There were no fewer than 14 active committees of the chamber back then, working on various projects and initiatives.

“Give the downtown area a new modern appearance” was the goal of one committee. Other assignments included:

• Study countywide zoning.
• Promote greater cooperation between the city and county libraries (that are now merged).
• Address the high school drop-out problem.
• Press for the completion of the remaining phases of the U.S. 35-50 bypass.
• Assist expansion of present industry and attract new industry.
• Secure 100 new chamber members in a one-day campaign.
• Expedite the building of a classroom on the local campus of OU-C.
• Study land-use patterns to identify more areas for parks and recreation.
• “Spread the truth about the Communist conspiracy and threat that it presents to our free economic system.” (This was four months after the Cuban missile crisis.)

From this list, it’s apparent the chamber back then played a key role in bringing about great progress in the community. We have every intention of playing a key role as we plan to continue making the community stronger and stronger.

Where are we headed in 2008?

You’ll get a great opportunity next week at the chamber’s second annual Economic Forecast Luncheon to learn about the direction of the area’s major employers. You’ll hear directly from John Blind of Glatfelter, Scott Blue of the Kenworth Truck Company and Mark Shuter of Adena Health System. Also on tap is Chris Manegold of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio as well as Marvin Jones of the chamber as they present other slices of the economic picture. Sign up now: Economic Forecast registration.

Frankfort’s Sunroom to the rescue on BAB

Garrett Shoemaker and Patti Krueger from The Sunroom@The Brick in Frankfort answered our call for help in hosting the Jan. 16 Business After Business after previous plans fell through at the last minute. The chamber is grateful to others who also offered to help with the event. The two are anxious to showcase their meeting and party facility that’s right on County Road 550 on the eastern edge of Frankfort. Sign up now if you plan to attend: BAB registration. Also, photos from the December BAB at Rent-2-Own are now available: www.chillicothe-chamber.smugmug.com

Safety council luncheon to be electrifying

Next Thursday’s luncheon of the Ross County Safety Council will feature Richard “Rick” Wood of Ohio TEC who will discuss OSHA and NFPA 70E which deals with electrical safety in the workplace. Also, make sure to submit your semi-annual reports to Rosie in our office by the same date as the luncheon, which begins at 11:30 at the Chillicothe Country Club. Register now: Safety luncheon.

Last chance to nominate your favorite entrepreneur

We'll stretch the deadline to Monday at noon for procrastinators who would like to submit a nomination for the chamber's annual Entrepreneur of the Year award. The committee will meet soon to make the selection that will be announced at the chamber's Annual Dinner on Feb. 7 at Shoemaker Convocation Center at OU-C. Click here to make your nomination: Entrepreneur candidate

Job Bank remains a popular local source

Nearly three-quarters of a million visitors utilized the Job Bank website of the chamber’s Workforce Development Department in conjunction with the local Jobs One-Stop office. According to statistics compiled by a third-party tracking firm, the page for office and clerical help was the most visited with 61,752 unique visitors followed by manufacturing and warehousing and state government. The service is free for employers to list open positions. In 2007, 71 new employers used the service and a total of 1,503 positions were posted. To learn more, go to: www.chillicotheohio.com/jobbank.htm.

SHRM-chamber seminar to focus on relationships

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 our personal and professional relationships on how we handle 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.

Workforce Academy presents hiring tips

Getting the right person for your critical position is a real art. The chamber’s Workforce Development Department, Jobs One-Stop and iforce offer some tips on how to handle the hiring process in the Jan. 15 Workforce Academy. It runs 8:30-noon, costs $10. For more details and to register to attend: Academy registration

Going on this weekend

From the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau. For the complete calendar: www.visitchillicotheohio.com

• Saturday: Premiere of the Gospel Music Opry – The Triumphant Quartet kicks off this new monthly event at the Majestic Theatre. To learn more about the entire series: www.gospelmusicopry.com

Building permits issued by the Ross County Building Department:

• Excell Chillicothe, 1688 Western Ave., new Family Dollar store, value $300,000.
• Brookside Church, 2215 Egypt Pike, new addition, no value given.
• Kenworth Truck Company, 65 Kenworth Drive, cab build conveyor, $300,000.
• Shelly and Sands, 5701 Higby Road, install doublewide unit for office, $64,000.

Vendor licenses from the Ross County Auditor:

• Los Mariachis of Central Center, 649 Central Center.
• Heartwarming Primitives, 27 N. Main St., Frankfort, by Michael Gregory and Gloria Caplinger.
• Tan at Jan’s, 242 E. Main St., by Wilma Gilllott.
• Cotton Pickin Cupboards, 745 Blacksmith Hill Road.