Chamber calendar

Wednesday, January 16: Business After Business, Sunroom @ The Brick, Frankfort, co-sponsored by Sam's Club, 5-7 p.m.; BAB registration

Thursday, February 7: Annual Dinner featuring Andrew Doehrel, president/CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce; 6 p.m., Shoemaker Convocation Center at OU-C; Annual Dinner reservations

Thursday, February 14: 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 2008

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

Major employers forecast

great prospects for 2008

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

Two top executives of Ross County’s largest employers predicted this week they will have record numbers of employees by the end of 2008. A third reported that his operation plans to add to the record of seven straight profitable months that started last summer.

The three gave a look back at 2007 and a look ahead through 2008 at the chamber’s second annual Economic Forecast Luncheon at the Chillicothe Country Club Wednesday. Scott Blue of the Kenworth Truck Company, Mark Shuter of Adena Health System and John Blind of Glatfelter provided the more than 70 people attending the luncheon a glimpse into their crystal balls.

Blue predicted “that by the end of 2008, Kenworth will have record employment.” The Chillicothe operation “really has a bright future,” he said. He noted employment hit a high of around 1,800 about a year ago this time and now is down to 1,250 after a couple rounds of layoffs.

He also noted that the Kenworth plant has about 300 employees age 60 or more who will be retiring in the next five years with good pensions and benefits to further fuel the local economy, not to mention the 300 new employees who will take their places.

Shuter said the continued expansion in the local health system will mean 110 additional full-time equivalent employees in 2008, including 18 more physicians. That’s on top of the 120 additional employees hired last year, including a net 12 new physicians. Adena now has more than 1,700 employees.

That expansion includes $70 million in new projects such as $45 million on the northeast corner of the main facility, $10.5 million at the Western Avenue Primary Care facility, $6 million for information technology and $1 million in the Financial Services building. This is on top of the $15 million Paccar Medical Education Center that’s expected to open later this year.

Shuter said plans for 2008 also include taking on more complex and minimally invasive surgical services, such as in neurosurgery as well as beefing up the Adena OneCall program that should mean more referrals to Adena from other providers in the region. He said Adena is “working hard to engage physicians in thinking ahead.”

Glatfelter’s Blind said last year’s initiative to solicit ideas for improvement from employees resulted in 4,000 submissions and the adoption of about 600 which helped the paper-making company exceed the financial expectations of the analysts on Wall Street in the fourth quarter.

“2008 is all about continued improvement,” he said. “Overcoming energy costs will be one of our biggest challenges this year. But we are very excited about 2008.”

Chris Manegold, CEO of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio, said trips to the main headquarters of local companies are on tap to thank the top officials for their continued commitment to Ross County and to let them know we’re here to help them succeed. He reminded the audience of an economic development axiom: If you don’t take care of what you’ve got, then you don’t deserve to have anything more.

In other remarks, yours truly noted that construction continues at USEC’s American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon as well as cleanup efforts that will keep employment levels stable there.

At the VA Medical Center, Director Jeff Gering provided information noting that employment is now more than 1,000 and his crew also is out recruiting physicians, nurses, social workers and pharmacists in addition to administrative staff.

On the capital spending side, Gering said the VA plans a $16 million renovation of a former patient building into a nursing home. On the equipment side, he said $1.7 million will go for a permanent MRI machine and $5 million will go toward a new chest x-ray machine. Another $11.9 million is going for 29 non-recurring maintenance projects.

Reservations coming fast and furious

Members are signing up almost hourly to attend with their spouses and guests the Annual Dinner of the chamber on Thursday, Feb. 7. We had to move the event a little earlier this year so as not to go head-to-head with Valentine’s Day activities. In addition to hearing from Andrew Doehrel, president/CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the crowd also will learn the recipients of the chamber’s Volunteer of the Year and the newest Entrepreneur of the Year. Make your reservations now: Annual Dinner registration

Frankfort’s Sunroom anxious to host BAB

With Sam’s Club, Classic Brands and Chillicothe Pepsi lined up as co-sponsors, the Sunroom @ The Brick is ready for chamber members and their guests at Wednesday’s Business After Business in Frankfort. Beer, wine and other refreshments will be available along with plenty of appetizers as the crowd becomes familiar with the meeting and event venue. Get directions and sign up to attend now: BAB registration

2008 membership plaque cards now going out

The 2008 card to go in your holder to signify chamber membership is being mailed this week and next to those who already have paid their dues. The card, as in previous years, is a replication of the cover of the Membership and Buyers’ Guide that will be available in early February. Both feature photos from Ross County’s new Pictometry aerial photography program. When you get the card, make sure to place it in the holder so you can let your employees and customers know you’re a member. If you can’t seem to find your holder, give us a call and we’ll get one to you right away.

Save money on workers’ comp

The deadline is fast approaching to enroll in the chamber’s group rating program to lower your premiums from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Even though the discount on group rating membership has been lowered, the savings are still substantial. If you’re already enrolled, no need to re-apply. For those considering enrolling, call Mike Dove at 800-837-3200 Ext. 7108 at the chamber’s group rating partner, Compensation Consultants Inc.

YPN sets a busy schedule

The chamber’s Young Professionals Network got together Thursday evening at Dakota’s Roadhouse for its regular meeting and plans a purely social get-together on Tuesday, Jan. 22 starting at 5 at the Old Canal Smoke House at Water and Mulberry streets. To get the complete schedule and catch up on YPN’s activities: www.chillicotheYPN.com

Government website helps small businesses

The Small Business Administration beefed up its official website link to the federal government by adding stronger search features and links to local government websites. This is where you can find information on forms, licenses, permits and other regulatory items that might affect your business. Check it out: www.business.gov

Chillicothe notations immortalized at library

Friend of the Chamber William “Tom” Thomas many years ago began collecting references to Chillicothe in novels and movies. Last year, he purchased copies of each book or tape and turned it into a collection that is now in a display case at the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library. Entitled “Chillicothe in Story and Song”, the collection includes the 1945 movie “The Harvey Girls” featuring Judy Garland. Tom is hoping that the collection will grow as more people contribute examples he might have missed. The library notes the collection on its website: www.chillicothe.lib.oh.us/StorySong.htm

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

Group elects officers

Jeff McCarty of Klinker’s Lumber in Waverly is the new president of the Home Builders Association of South Central Ohio. Roger Smith of the Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center will serve as vice president. Judy Tomlinson continues as secretary-treasurer.

Job Expo Planned for March

There will be a Job Expo, formerly the Veterans Job Fair, on March 26 at the OU-C Shoemaker Center. This year’s event will boast some new things such as a Networking Luncheon for employers, an online application for employers and workshops for job seekers. As always, there is no charge for businesses, organizations or educational providers to participate. Last year more than 300 attended the event! Click here for the online registration form or contact Cari Steinbrook, Workforce Development Manager, csteinbrook@chillicotheohio.com for more event information.

Going on this weekend

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

• Saturday: Gallery Stroll – It’s time again for the monthly downtown event that features art by local, national and international artisans in various businesses along Water, Paint and Main streets. It runs 6-10 p.m.
• Saturday: Art classes – Taught by Sara Cory Jones every Saturday at the Pump House Center for the Arts; you need to pre-register by calling 772-5783. It costs $10 to cover materials and runs noon-1 for adults and 11-noon for those ages 11-17.

Building permits issued by the Ross County Building Department:

• Amvets, 317 E. Main St., HVAC and electrical, value $1,500.
• CH Properties, 138 Marietta Road, foundation, $1,000.
• Red Lobster, 1079 N. Bridge St., HVAC, $10,000.
• 132 N. Mulberry St., HVAC, $10,000.
• Landmark Properties, 48 Consumer Center Drive, HVAC, $15,000.
• Kenworth Truck Company, 65 Kenworth Drive, electrical, $10,000.

Vendor licenses from the Ross County Auditor:

• The Men’s Shop, 104 N. Paint St., by Heather Hall.
• Tom’s Automotive, 320 Ohio 138, by Thomas Richards.