Chamber calendar

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

Tuesday, June 10: Membership and Events Committee, Chamber Conference Room, 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, June 12: Ross County Safety Council, Chillicothe Country Club, 11:30 a.m. Luncheon Registration

Thursday, June 12: YPN Wine Tasting , Tuscan Table, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, June 18: Business After Business, Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, 5-7 p.m.
BAB Registration

Thursday, June 19: Executive Committee, Chamber Conference Room, 8:30 a.m.

Thursday, June 19: YPN Social, Buffalo Wild Wings, 5 p.m.

Monday, June 23: Downtown Chillicothe Partnership, Chamber Conference Room, 8 a.m.

Thursday, June 26: Board of Directors, location tba, noon.

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

You are receiving this newsletter as a benefit of your membership in the chamber. If you wish not to receive it, please reply to mjones@chillicotheohio.com and write "Unsubscribe" in the subject.

Copyright 2008

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

Search past editions of the newsletter and the chamber website:

“Healthy Families” proposal

could make for a sicker economy

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

An initiative expected to make it to the November ballot could prove a nightmare for personnel and other managers. It’s being dubbed the “Healthy Families Act”, but in reality, it could mean huge changes in benefits for today’s workers.

If approved by voters, it would require all employers with 25 or more employees to provide a minimum of seven paid sick days to all full-time workers and a proportionate amount of sick leave for part-time workers. Other provisions in the proposal:

• Sick leave can be taken in one-hour increments.
• It can be used for any undocumented medical reason as employers cannot require a medical certification unless the leaves exceeds more than three consecutive work days.
• Employers cannot reduce or eliminate leave already in existence to comply with the proposal.

Most large employers already provide generous leave benefits, but with restrictions to curb employee abuse. Many employers have blended sick leave with other paid time off, such as vacations, so this could further complicate, and maybe even reduce, the benefit packages of employees.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is putting together a campaign to educate employers about the proposal and let them know what they can do to keep Ohio from becoming the first state in the nation with such a law. Your chamber is working closely with the Ohio chamber and plans to provide forums and other means for our members to get information and get involved.

For now, go to www.ohiobusinessvotes.org/Mandates08/Home.htm for complete information on the proposal, including the exact language and how it could affect your business.

Petland opens first store in China

Chillicothe-based Petland added China to its list of international sites with the opening of its store in Shanghai. “In China, more and more people love and keep pets, especially in Shanghai, Beijing and other big cities. Pet owners want to buy things for pets in well-stocked and lean stores,” said Tina Yang, one of the operators of the new store with master franchisor Charley Lu. The Shanghai store is 3,854 square feet and has a complete grooming department. In addition to China, Petland hopes to open stores in Mexico and Puerto Rico in 2009. Petland now has more than 200 retail stores in Canada, Japan, Chile and South Africa in addition to the U.S. and, now, China. www.petland.com

Town hall meeting set for June 17 on downtown

The community will hear on June 17 about the progress made in the 12 months since the release of the HyettPalma Downtown Chillicothe Economic Enhancement Strategic Plan. Members of the Downtown Chillicothe Partnership will provide updates on their activities in the past year toward implementing provisions of the plan while attendees will get a chance to ask questions. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the former Central Elementary School facility of the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library on West Fifth Street. www.downtownchillicothe.com

State stimulus bill could jump start Carlisle work

At the town hall meeting June 17, the developers of the Carlisle Building will provide an update that could include some very good news about the start of full-fledged renovations. Gov. Ted Strickland is expected to sign a bill approved by the General Assembly Thursday that includes restoration of the historic tax credits program to the extent it would include the application for the Carlisle. You’ll recall the previous attempt at the program stopped after only 37 projects were approved. The new bill on the governor’s desk includes $90 million over two years for projects already in line for credits plus another $30 million for new projects submitted after July 1.

Retailer decides to return to the downtown

Beth Robbins said she hopes to open her Bavarian Toy Works store sometime next week in its new quarters at 67 N. Paint St. The move has been in the works for several weeks as the retailer formerly had a store next to the city building on South Paint Street before moving to Zane Plaza. The new location is the former site of Ann-Marie’s Children’s Clothing.

A well-earned retirement for education leader

Joyce Atwood is the epitome of service to a community. Her 43 years in the Chillicothe City Schools system, the last decade as assistant superintendent, means she touched a lot of students, teacher and other administrators, all in a positive way. At a tribute to her Thursday afternoon, two former superintendents and the current one lauded her work ethic, dedication and professionalism. In addition to her school duties, Joyce found time to serve on the chamber’s steering committee for the leadership program several years back.

Full field for the chamber golf outing

Nearly 130 golfers will participate in the chamber’s Annul Golf Outing next Friday (June 6) at the Jaycees Public Golf Course. For those entered, we’ll have doughnuts and coffee before teeing off at 9, hot dogs and beverages throughout the round and a steak dinner before handing out the numerous door prizes. Registration starts at 8 and, if you haven’t paid already, please bring a check or cash along with enough to get into the skins game and to buy the SOS package.

Ohio 104 getting a new coat of asphalt

Repaving on Ohio 104 from Ohio 207 north to the Pickaway County line began recently and is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 31. Traffic could be delayed as it is reduced to one lane with flaggers in the 14-mile stretch. It’s a $1.04 million (really!) project for the Shelly Company.

First Thursdays are back next week

Jakob Freely is performing and the $5 admission will get you access to the food and beverages on East Second street at the first First Thursday of the summer sponsored by the First Capital Rotary Club in conjunction with the Majestic Theatre. Pizza is the theme food for this month. The event starts at 5 p.m. with proceeds benefiting local Rotary-sponsored projects.

Traditions fund-raiser has Native American theme

A silent auction, culture exhibit, buffet dinner and cash bar are part of the “Feast of Tecumseh” fund-raiser set for Thursday, June 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Traditions of Chillicothe on University Drive. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s unit and respite program. Details and tickets: 773-8107.

Workforce information now easier to find

Three more sources of information on the state, regional and local workforce are now easier to find. The main page of the state’s Labor Market Information website and pages for the most recent unemployment and average salary figures are available under the Workforce tab of www.edaso.org, the website of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio, maintained by the chamber.

Newest chamber members to welcome:

• Chillicothe Community Calendar, Pickerington, by Gary Peterman, 614-864-9400, www.buckeyecommunitycalendars.com
• Your Style Invitations, 41 S. Paint St., by Teshia Polley, graphic design and couture stationery, www.yourstyleinvites.com.
• Paul Pollard Productions Ltd., Chillicothe, audio, video, lighting, staging event production, 253-5560, paulpollardproductions@gmail.com
• Feast of the Flowering Moon, P.O. Box 879, www.feastofthefloweringmoon.com

Commercial building permits issued recently by the Chillicothe Building Department:

• Beverly Yoakum, 30 E. Main St., sign, value $4,007.
• Chillicothe Baptist Church, 14100 Ohio 104, electrical, $250.
• Diane Cary, 245 Woodbridge Ave., HVAC, $2,400.
• Ohio Real Property Holdings, 363 Marietta Road, fire protection, $6,199.
• Zane Plaza Inc., 1080 N. Bridge St., electrical, $5,000.
• Litter’s Real Estate, 524 Eastern Ave., windows, $3,400.
• Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library, 550 Buckeye St., garage-pole barn, no value given.
• McDonald’s, 1067 N. Bridge St., alterations, $35,000.
• Franchise Realty Interstate, 40 N. Bridge St., alterations, $35,000.
• Robert and Susan Chemas, 48 E. Water St., signs, $2,700.
• Trinity United Methodist Church, 28 S. Mulberry St., sidewalks and curbs, $1,200.
• Michael Tissot, 1653 N. Bridge St., signs, $1,200.
• Sunrush Enterprises, 2530 Western Ave., signs, $1,200.
• Golden Corral, 1660 N. Bridge St., fire protection, $938.
• Ross County Historical Society, 80 S. Paint St., sidewalks and curbs, $4,916.
• Ohio Real Property Holdings, 363 Marietta Road, fire protection, $6,800.
• McAllister, 39 N. Plaza Blvd., roofing, $20,000.
• Scioto Paint Valley Mental health Center, 312 E. Second St., HVAC, $2,800.
• Robert and Martha Hamm, 38 S. Paint St., electrical, $1,500.

Vendor licenses issued by the Ross County Auditor:

• Unique Seasonals, 8 Shawnee Drive, by Rhonda Alexander.
• Forever Sisters, 11884 Westfall Road, by Pam Givens.
• Chillicothe Martial Arts Academy, 125 Western Ave., by Donald Spetnagel.
• Domino’s Pizza, 1155 Western Ave. and 37 N. Bridge St., by 5 Star Pizza LLC.
• Newman’s Auto Service, 10834 Westfall Road, by Lloyd Newman.
• Bainbridge Shell, 101 N. Quarry St., by KB 523 LLC
• The Water Express LLC, 400 Chamber Drive.
• The Ashley House, 17380 Ohio 104, by Ashley’s LLC.

Seminars, workshops, etc.

• Small Business Vendor Day: By EnergySolutions Company, LATA/Parallax Portsmouth and Uranium Disposition Services; Tuesday, June 10, 9-4:30, OSU Endeavor Center, 1862 Shyville Road, Piketon; for small businesses interested in providing services and goods; contact Hayward Chappell, Southern Ohio Procurement Outreach Center, 800-408-1334 or sopoc@zoominternet.net