Chamber calendar

Wednesday, August 20: Business After Business, Majestic Courtyard, 5-7 p.m.
BAB Registration

Thursday, August 21: Executive Committee, 8:30 a.m.

Monday, August 25: Ross County chapter of the Ohioans to Protect Jobs and Fair Benefits; 4 p.m., Ross County Service Center.

Thursday, August 28: Board of Directors, Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, noon.

Thursday, September 4: Deadline to submit application for matching grant for downtown owners. More info ...

Chamber-related links

Economic Development
www.edaso.org

Chillicothe Job Bank
www.chillicothejobbank.net

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

Health system’s growth

continues at a rapid pace

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

While much of the rest of business and industry in Ross County moves to weather the shaky economy, the Adena Health System continues its push to provide great health care by expanding in almost every direction.

In just one year, 131 new full-time employees joined the system, bringing to 1,909 its total at the end of 2007. Mark Shuter, CEO of the system, detailed the continued growth at the INsider OUTlook Breakfast this week of the Economic Development Alliance. In the past five or six years, Adena has vaulted from being the fourth largest employer in the county to the number one spot, surpassing Glatfelter, the Kenworth Truck Company and the VA Medical Center.

Some of the reasons fueling the growth are indicated in the chart below showing the increase in services provided in just one year.

Shuter updated the more than 60 attending on the $95 million in four projects underway on the campus north of town. In just a few weeks, the $15 million PACCAR Medical Education Center opens to its first class of nursing students who will get a chance to work on the five human simulators as part of their training. Other hard-hat areas on the campus are the expansion on the northeast section, a new observation unit and the financial center.

Other highlights of the breakfast:

• Yuji Hirahara, the new president of the YSK Corporation, was introduced.
• Chris Manegold of the Alliance announced Anixter Fasteners opens a new distribution center in Chillicothe on South McArthur Street on Sept. 9, creating about nine new jobs. Anixter is a supplier to Kenworth.
• Mayor Joe Sulzer announced he and Manegold plan a trip to Japan in September to visit the parent company of YSK and meet with others to introduce them to the attributes of doing business in Chillicothe and Ross County.
• Dona Smith of the Community Improvement Corporation said the shell building in the Gateway Interchange Industrial Park off Ohio 104 is ready for an occupant and that bids were being opened to expand a road about 900 feet in the park to accommodate State Electric’s new facility.
• John Hemmings, the new executive director of the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, said the agency applied for a grant to help deal with the expected loss of the jobs at the Wilmington DHL facility. Hemmings succeeds Jeff Spencer who was in the position for more than 30 years.

Local chamber member going national thanks to neighbor

Dane Straub took care of the folks across Water Street at Kitchen Collection when they arrived for lunch or dinner at his Old Canal Smokehouse restaurant and now the favor is being returned. Le Gourmet Chef, now a division of Kitchen Collection, carries the Smokehouse sauces in all of its stores nationwide. That’s a huge boost for Straub who said the sauces are made in a plant in Washington Court House. The Smokehouse catered the grand opening of the new local Chef store last week which attracted vendors from across the country. The Chef store in Zane Plaza features a new concept in retailing for the company.

Majestic to host next week’s BAB

The Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau, Chillicothe Tents for Events and the Majestic Theatre are teaming with the chamber to sponsor Wednesday’s Business After Business at the theatre’s courtyard on East Second Street. Celebrations Etc. is providing the food and all of the usual beverages will be available. It runs 5-7 p.m. BAB registration

County’s scenery attracts national attention

Thanks to the many scenic routes in Chillicothe, especially as the fall colors approach, Automobile magazine selected this area to test drive some of the newest vehicles on the market. About 20 from the magazine are expected from Ann Arbor in early October, according to the visitors bureau which is helping with arrangements.

More information available on sick days proposal; help still needed

A 20-page fact book covering the history of the mandated sick days proposal, its potential effects on both large and small businesses and how you can help fight it is available from the chamber’s website, www.chillicotheohio.com/saveourjobs. Ross County still needs people to serve as leaders to help coordinate activities locally with the chamber in addition to having businesses sign pledges of support, also available from the website. If you’re interested in serving, call the chamber at 702-2722.

Short takes from here and there

• Using the current 5.6 percent rate of inflation, Ohio’s minimum wage would rise to at least $7.39 for January 1. That’s up from the current $7.00.
• Six teams from surrounding states and two from Ohio are in town this weekend to compete in the American Legion Great Lakes Regional Baseball Tournament at VA Memorial Stadium.
• About 140 will be in town Tuesday and Wednesday for the summer conference of the Ohio County Commissioners Association.
• September 5 is the deadline for employers to register to participate in a Job Fair at the Ross County Service Center on Monday, Sept. 22. the Jobs One-Stop and chamber are coordinating the event in rcognition of Workforce Development Month. For more details and to register: www.chillicothejobbank.net.
• The VA Medical Center is hosting a military blood drive Saturday, Aug. 23 from 10-4 as part of the Aaron Reed Memorial Benefit. Donations go to sick and injured military personnel, but you don’t need to be in the military to donate. Pre-register: http://wpmc1.wpafb.af.mil/blooddonorcal/

Newest members of the chamber:

• Huff Realty, 14 S. Paint St., by Meredith Tomlinson, 775-4833 plus three of its agents: Marsha Wagner, Gayle Smith and Linda Atwood.
• Times-Gazette, Hillsboro, by Charles Miller.

Building permits issued recently by the Ross County Building Department:

• Bainbridge Senior Citizens Center, 2303 Main St., install handicap ramps, value $6,753
• Adena Regional Medical Center, 272 Hospital Road, northeast expansion mechanical only, $35 million.
• AT&T Mobility, 1067 Copperas Mountain Road, generator addition, $2,000.
• Kenworth Truck Company, 65 Kenworth Drive, lobby alterations, $100,000.
• Housing Services, 341 Maple St., Frankfort, 15-uni apartment building, $1.2 million.

Vendor licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:

• Prowater, 20544 U.S. 23 No. 53, by Jennifer Oaks.