Chamber calendar
Thursday, March 27: Groundbreaking ceremony, $45.5 million Adena Regional Medical Center northeast expansion, 11 a.m.
Thursday, March 27: Board of Directors, Adens Health System board room, 1 p.m.
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
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Copyright 2008
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
45 E. Main St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-2722
Hopes for Carlisle Building
suffer setback from the state
By Marvin Jones
President and CEO
An incentive program by state government ended before the application by the owners of the Carlisle Building could be considered. That means it’s back to the drawing board for the owners to consider alternatives to financing renovations of the fire-ravaged downtown landmark.
As the fifth anniversary of the fire that decimated the interior of the Carlisle approaches, the Columbus-based owners planned to meet late this week to consider their options. The group was counting on receiving tax credits from the state Department of Development worth about $750,000 toward the $3.9 million renovation estimate. Federal tax credits in about the same amount have been approved.
The state pulled the plug last week on the Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program after funding only 41 projects, including 19 in Cleveland. The 2006 law creating the program (for which Reps. John Schlichter and Clyde Evans were among the co-sponsors), called for 100 projects to be funded in each of the two years of the program.
In a letter to the Carlisle owners, the development department said $120 million in credits was budgeted for the entire program and that the 41 projects, processed on a first-come, first-served basis, totaled $123 million. One project in Canton that was approved is slated to receive about $37 million in credits.
The Carlisle project was the 103rd submitted to the state. Two were denied and 19 were withdrawn from the process, according to the website tracking the projects. Only five projects in smaller communities were approved: renovation of the Colony Theater in Marietta, the City Hall in Port Clinton and hotels in Piqua, Sandusky and Urbana. Three projects each were approved in Hamilton and Youngstown and two each in Toledo, Akron and Canton.
View the complete list of all projects submitted: Historic preservation tax credits
College has new owners
The group that owns Daymar Colleges in Kentucky recently purchased the assets of the Julia Corporation which operates Samuel Stephen College. The former Southeastern Business College was started decades ago by Leo and Julia Blackburn. No details of the transaction have been made available.
A pick-me-up for the weather and economic woes
In his weekly email newsletter, Jack Schultz, the chamber’s Annual Meeting speaker a few years back, cited some facts and figures from a fellow blogger that bear repeating. Schultz pulled these from Jeff Thredgold, president of Thredgold Economic Associates. The complete list is available here: TeaLeaf
- A year-end 2007 Gallup Poll noted that “more than 8 in 10 Americans say they are satisfied with their personal lives at this time, including a solid majority who say they are ‘very satisfied.’”
- During the early 1960s, the five-year survival rate from cancer for Americans was one in three. Today it is two in three…continuing to climb…and the highest in the world
For every dollar of U.S. economic output generated today, we burn less than half as much oil as 30 years ago - Today’s moms and dads, whether working or at home, are spending four to six hours more per week with their kids than did the previous generation.
- The nation’s jobless rate averaged 4.6% in both 2006 and 2007, the lowest average in six years, and lower than average rates in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s
The American economy added nearly seven million net additional jobs during 2004 to 2006, and added more than 1.1 million in 2007. - U.S. corporations hold an estimated $611 billion in cash on their balance sheets, a “tool” to help lessen the chance of, or minimize the impact of, a recession.
- Donations to charity set an all-time high in 2006, with a total of $295 billion donated by individuals, foundations, and corporations. As a percentage of GDP, Americans gave twice as much as the next most charitable nation…England.
- Some 68.6% of the 2.7 million “Class of ’05” high school graduates enrolled in colleges & universities, the highest ever.
- The upward “mobility” of the typical American remains the greatest in the world. Why? The U.S. economy “rewards” the combination of hard work and educational achievement more than ever before…and more than any other country in the world.
- Women earned nearly 60% of all bachelor’s degrees awarded in recent years, versus 43% in 1970 and 24% in 1950. Women earned a similar share of master’s degrees.
- Illicit drug use among U.S. teenagers hit a five-year low of 9.8% in 2006, down 16% since 2002.
- Corporate profits now represent more than 12% of national income, up from 7% in 2001, and the highest since recordkeeping began in 1947. Strong corporate earnings are the backbone of rising stock prices.
- The U.S. role of dominance in the global economy in recent years has been as clear-cut as at any time since the 1950s
Rejuvenate center kicks off business
Kimberly Boydston-Tuttle wielded the scissors at the ceremony to celebrate the opening of her Rejuvenate Health, Fitness and MedSpa at 79 > Mulberry St. Saturday morning. The center offers a wide variety of training, fitness and other equipment as well as programs to improve your health.
Seminar on Chinese trade set next month
A trade specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Rep. Jean Schmidt are scheduled to be on hand for the “Doing Business with China: Exporting Basics” seminar April 22 at the OSU South Centers in Piketon. The program runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with breakfast and lunch provided. The cost is $30. Click here for more information: China seminar
60-plus firms to receive safety awards
The Ross County Safety Council’s Annual Safety Awards Luncheon is set for April 10 at the Chillicothe Country Club at 11:30. Tim McDermott, business consultant for Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s Portsmouth Service Office will be the speaker. Awards will be distributed to more than 60 members. Bring your CEO along if they have not yet attended a meeting this year, to help fulfill the premium discount program requirement.
Leadership class hears from community leaders
A panel of local government officials talked to the Leadership Chillicothe Ross class last week about their roles and how they became involved in politics and government. From left, City Council member Dustin Proehl and County Commissioner Frank Hirsch were joined by Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer and Scioto Township Trustee Brad Cosenza. The class is winding down its year with only two sessions left before graduation in May. The group is putting up benches along the floodwall hiking path on Saturday, April 19 as its class project this year.
YPN’s next Social with local government
Local government officials have been invited to mingle with YPN members at their next Social on Thursday (March 27) at Schlegel’s, 80 N. Paint St, from 5–7. There is no charge to attend and everyone is responsible for their own food and beverage purchases. Schlegel’s offers beer, wine and a full coffee and dessert bar with something for everyone. Visit www.chillicotheypn.com for a complete list of upcoming events.
19th Annual Job Expo features 100 employers
If you know someone looking for a job, encourage them to attend the 19th Annual Job Expo will be held at OU-C Shoemaker Convocation Center from noon-4 next Wednesday, March 26. More than 100 local employers and educational providers have been invited to offer a wide variety of employment and training options. Visit www.chillicothejobbank.net for a printable list of employers and event details.
Here’s who’s joined the chamber recently:
- Hettinger Electric, 11932 Main St., Adelphi, by Josh and Mandi Hettinger, 740-332-0587.
- Megan Carroll State Farm Insurance, 138 Marietta Road, Suite D, 775-6634.
Vendors licenses issued by the Ross County Auditor:
- Acord’s Pizza Sub and Pub, 2254 Blain Highway.
- Reyna Vanessa Doyle, 2890 Black Run Road.
- Juanita Butterbaugh, 173 Ramey Road.
The chamber office is closed Good Friday.