Chamber calendar

Wednesday, April 9: Leadership Chillicothe Ross, Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, 7:45 a.m.

Thursday, April 10: Ross County Safety Council, Chillicothe Country Club, 11:30 .m. Luncheon Registration

Wednesday, April 16: Business after Business, Paints Stadium co-sponsored by Classic Brands, 5 p.m. BAB Registration

Thursday, April 17: Executive Committee, Chamber conference room, 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, April 24: Board of Directors, location TBA, noon

Monday, April 28: Downtown Chillicothe Partnership, Chamber conference room, 8 a.m.

Friday, June 6: Annual Golf Outing, Jaycee Golf Course; 9 a.m., 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

State’s new jobs initiative

counts on business and industry

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

While state government will provide the incentives, it will be up to Ohio’s current and new businesses and industries to create the thousands of jobs envisioned by Gov. Ted Strickland when he first announced the “Building Ohio Jobs” initiative a couple months ago.

Wednesday’s announcement by the governor and leaders of the General Assembly is yet another great example of how the two political parties have been able to come together on the most important issues facing the people of Ohio. A near-unanimous vote on the biennial budget last year was a harbinger of just how well bipartisanship can work.

In this economic stimulus plan is a provision that revives the historic tax credits program to the tune of $120 million. That will be on top of the $220 million already approved this year under the former program, but the majority of which is headed to Cleveland because of a lack of specificity in the original legislation. It could mean more delay for the renovation of the Carlisle Building, but it might also better ensure its complete restoration.

Another important part of the package is $400 million for local roads, bridges, sewer and water systems. That could mean a quicker schedule for the widening of Western Avenue from Limestone Boulevard to Veterans Parkway, identified as the city and county’s top thoroughfare project.

Local business and industry folks might want to begin thinking about how to bolster or initiate internship and cooperative education programs, particularly partnerships with Ohio colleges and maybe specifically Ohio University-Chillicothe and Samuel Stephen College. The aim is to keep more college-educated Ohioans in the state as the government plans to spend $250 million to help business and industry with these programs, but on a matching basis.

The full program: State economic stimulus package

More good news for Ohio businesses

An overall 5 percent decrease in premiums to the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation announced late last week and starting July 1 means more money for business and industry to invest in their futures and their employees. The cuts will be based on the manual classification of the employers, meaning some will see a decrease of more than 5 percent and others actually could see an increase. BWC expects to determine those rates shortly. In addition, BWC eliminated 14 of its rules as part of Gov. Ted Strickland’s order for state agencies to review their rules and regulations and eliminate those no longer necessary (and burdensome to business).

Spec building almost under roof

The roof was being built recently on the speculative building of the Community Improvement Corporation on Ohio 104, moving it nearer to completion. It is being marketed as a 50,000 square foot structure that can be completed to the specs of the buyer or lessee. If you’re interested or know of a firm in need of such a structure, call Dona Smith at 702-2720 or Chris Manegold at 772-5100.

Companies to be honored at safety luncheon

More than 60 members of the Ross County Safety Council, a program managed by the chamber, will receive awards at the annual awards luncheon of the organization next Thursday at the Chillicothe Country Club. The awards honor those companies that had spotless safety records in 2007, those that reduced significantly the number of on-the-job injuries and those who have had great records for a number of work hours. Sign up to attend: Safety registration

Paints looking for help to welcome visitors

With the Mid-American Conference baseball tournament scheduled for mid May, the Chillicothe Paints are inviting groups and individuals to become part of a volunteer support organization at VA Memorial Stadium. Last year, the stadium hosted 163 days of events encompassing 130 different teams playing in 320 games, concerts and other youth-oriented events. The volunteers would help as ticket sellers and takers, ushers, security, hosts/hostesses at picnics and other duties. In return, the volunteers will receive free tickets to events, a shirt, hat and meal during the events. Send your application to the Paints at 59 N. Paint St. or call 773-8326 for more information.

Sales start soon on 2009 directory magazine

Members shortly will receive in the regular mail information on advertising in next year’s chamber directory that will include more information about the community and allow you to link your website from a posting on the chamber’s site. Heidi Robson of CommunityLink is coordinating the sales so make sure you communicate with her. Apparently, another organization is soliciting advertising by phone only for a community guide that has no connection whatsoever with the chamber. If you are in doubt about any solicitation in which the chamber’s name is used, give us a call at 702-2722.

Pickaway-Ross center news now online

Students, parents and others interested in staying up to date on the Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center will be receiving emails with information. Others can access the current newsletter here: Pickaway-Ross news.

Horizon extends its reach in southern Ohio

The acquisition by Horizon Telcom of Fibre Optic One and Cable TV Investments-One adds 110 more miles of fiber optic line to the firm’s extensive network. Horizon now will provide broadband internet and/or cable television service to Piketon, Wheelersburg, Lucasville, Minford, South Webster, Beaver, Otway and Rardon and adjacent rural areas in Scioto and Pike counties. “This acquisition extends our ability to provide the latest technology to businesses in southern Ohio,” said Horizon CEO Bill McKell.

Agency honors individuals for work with kids

Tom Williamson of the Children’s Services agency was honored with the Col. Richard Enderlin Award by the Ross County Department of Job and Family Services for his carrer that’s been dedicated to serving children. He previously was superintendent of Paint Valley Schools. Also honored this week by ther agency were Rosa Hamilton and Alice Kellough of Huntington schools, and foster parents Pat and Tim Thompson.

Events to mark on your calendars:

• Saturday and Sunday: Southern Ohio Home and Garden Show by the Building Industry Association of South Central Ohio; runs 10-6 Saturday and 10-4 Sunday at the Ross County Fairgrounds; only charge is $2 for parking; www.southernohiohomegarden.com
• Wednesday and Thursday, May 7-8: “Crucial Conversations” program presented by Horizon Telcom and OU-C; to register: www.chillicothe.ohiou.edu/forms/crucialcon.htm
• Thursday, May 15: Seminar for minority and female business entrepreneurs, 8-4, Verne Riffe Center for the Arts in Portsmouth; for information: karthur@shawnee.edu.
• Next five Saturdays: Flea market to benefit March of Dimes, 9-5 at Kmart on Bridge Street; tables available or donate items; call Betty Wallace at 773-9393 or 626-2382. The annual March for Babies is Sunday, April 20 in Yoctangee Park; register from 9-10 in the park, walk begins at 10.

Here’s who’s joined the chamber recently:

• Chillicothe Baptist Church, 14000 Ohio 104, 773-1525.

Building permits issued recently by the Ross County Building Department:

• Adena Regional Medical Center, various permits for northeast expansion and alterations to ICU waiting area, value $168,000.
• Ross County Agricultural Society (Fair Board), install fans in show arena and renovations to hog barn, total $6,500.
• James Lambert, 35 Borland’s Crossing, alterations for change of use, $3,000.

Vendors licenses issued by the Ross County Auditor:

• Hatter’s 34 Crystal Drive rear, by Robert Hatter.
• Smith Moore Ebright Funeral Home, 110 W. Main St., Bainbridge, by Ebright Funeral Home.

Veteran agents help rookie open office

Matthew Edler, Shawn Bower and Gary Seitz were on hand to help Jonathan Davis open his Edward Jones investments office at 1655 N. Bridge St. recently. The office is across from Shawnee Lanes.

From the chamber’s archives: 1919

The chamber was only seven years old in 1919, although its history dates to the Board of Trade for which we don’t know the origination date. The membership roster had some names still familiar today. Click here to check out all the members in 1919.