Chamber calendar

Tuesday, September 9: Membership and Events Committee, chamber, 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, September 11: Ross County Safety Council, free picnic lunch, speaker and special appaearance by MedFlight of Ohio, Yoctangee Park, 11:30 a.m., Safety Council registration

Wednesday, September 17: Business After Business, sponsored by Glatfelter at the Adena Mansion and Gardens, 5-7 p.m.
BAB Registration

Thursday, September 18: Executive Committee, chamber, 8:30 a.m.

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

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

Attention now turns to Congress

on mandated sick days issue

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

Ross Countians and all Ohioans will be spared what would have been a very contentious campaign that could have resulted in business after business and thousands of jobs fleeing the state. The decision by the proponents of Issue 4, the mandated sick days proposal, to pull the issue from the ballot resulted in great sighs of relief from chamber members.

Gov. Ted Strickland is to be commended on his successful efforts in convincing the union and the issue’s other proponents to pull this off the ballot. It now appears, though, the focus needs to shift to our representatives and senators in Congress to make sure this doesn’t become yet another onerous federal mandate on business, making it even tougher for them to compete in a global economy.

From the governor’s press release: “Strickland made it clear that he supports the enactment of federal legislation that would establish required paid sick days nationally, adding that he and his staff are ready to provide input to craft a thoughtful federal bill, drawing upon their recent experiences working to devise a workable compromise bill in Ohio.”

 “We will not rest until paid sick days finally and at long last becomes a reality -- not just for all Ohioans but for all Americans," said Becky Williams of the Service Employees International Union.

So, if you’d like to get the early jump on letting Rep. Zack Space and Sens. Sherrod Brown and George Voinovich know how you feel on this issue, click a name to start an email to them.

New state strategic plan promises to grow the economy

Almost lost in the announcement of the demise of the state sick days issue was the fact the governor and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, who doubles as the director of the Ohio Department of Development, unveiled Wednesday a new strategic plan they hope will bring prosperity to the state.

“Our families and companies are hurt by economic difficulties, but we are not sitting back, wringing our hands and waiting for better days. We have a common purpose – to build new prosperity in Ohio," the governor said.

At least 10 new programs will be launched by the development department, designed to grow the income of Ohioans, create and retain jobs in the state and expand productivity through innovation. Financing for the programs will come by shifting existing department resources, but also from the private sector, foundations and other groups.

To read more about the plan in detail: Ohio, Home of Innovation and Opportunity

Advocacy Committee to zero in on issues

The chamber’s Advocacy Committee plans to look monthly at issues facing City Council and the county as well as learn more about the issues being followed by the Ohio and U.S. Chambers of Commerce.

It will be from this review of the issues that the committee will recommend to the board those areas where it feels the chamber should become more involved on behalf of its more than 600 members.

The next meeting of the committee is Thursday (Sept. 11) at 4 p.m. at the chamber. If you’re interested in becoming involved, email or call Marvin Jones at 702-2722.

Downtown baskets up for adoption

Downtown Chillicothe will spring to life next May when flowers fill 40 hanging baskets from selected lampposts. To make this a community-wide project, donations from individuals, businesses and groups are being accepted.

A donation of $199 will purchase the brackets for one post, but donations in any amount will be accepted. The 40 sets of baskets will line Main and Paint streets and will be maintained by the city Parks and Recreation Department. The brackets are expected to be installed later this year to be ready for the flower baskets in late spring in 2009. The donations will help offset the $13,700 approved by council for the project.

     Checks for the charitable donations are to be made payable to the First Capital District-Baskets. They should be mailed or dropped off at the Welcome Center at 45 E. Main St. by no later than Sept. 30.

iForce celebrates new quarters in Shawnee Square

Staff and representatives were on hand this week to cut the ribbon on the new quarters of the iForce staffing agency at 82 Consumer Center Drive in Shawnee Square. The firm formerly was on East Main Street.

Rio Grande offering help in hiring interns

In a program designed to expand math and science learning in southeastern Ohio, the University of Rio Grande established an internship program for its students enrolled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Employers who agree to support three years of internships will be reimbursed up to $3,000 for their interns the first year of the program. Another $200 is available to defer the costs of background screening, physical exams, etc. For more information, get in touch with Amy White at 740-596-0677 or amybucks2002@yahoo.com.

Short takes from here and there

• Angela Lochbaum is the new president of Chillicothe Fire & Security and C&D Monitoring. She started with the company in 1995 as a sales executive and has handled day-to-day operations for the past two years.
• Refreshments, a 20 percent storewide discount and daily prize drawings are planned for the Fifth Anniversary Event of The Gift Post at 601 E. Main St. on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12-13 from 10-7.

Building permits issued recently by the Chillicothe and Ross County Building Departments:

• Kunzelman Family Properties, 91 N. Paint St., signage, awning and exterior painting, no value given.
• Central Center Limited, 235 Delana Ave., office renovations, $20,000.
• North Star Development, 1290 N. Bridge St., alterations for new Chipotle Restaurant, $250,000.
• Walnut Street United Methodist Church, 16 S. Walnut St., electrical, $1,500.
• ADM/Countrymark, 331 Watt St., demolish fertilizer building, $5,000.
• Triple R Association, 129 N. Bridge St., HVAC, $9,949
• James E. Collier, 1419 N. Bridge St., sign, $800.
• Herlihy Rentals, 101 McArthur St., new offices, $107,000.
• North Star Development, 1290 N. Bridge St., electrical, $14,000.
• Mary Duffy, 916 E. Main st., office alterations, $10,000.
• Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1918 N. Bridge St., sprinkler system, $98,000.
• Nina Hamlin, 4240 Black Run Road, electrical, $4,990.

Vendor licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:

• CD’s Auto Exchange, 15 Western Ave.
• The Chubby Lady Cookies, 4696 Jester Hill Road, by Kathy West.
• Bell Logistics, 27311 Old Route 23.
• Ronald and Micheel Draise, 910 Cupps Bridge Road.
• Carlisle Barber Shop, 272 E. Main St., by Trisha Dettwiller.

Workshops, seminars, etc.

• SCORE orientation meeting for those interested in helping small business owners in a one-on-one setting using the resources of a national organization; 8 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 11, chamber conference room, 45 E. Main St.; call 702-2722 if you plan to attend.
• A free showing of “Iron Jawed Angels” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Majestic Theatre is made possible by the Chillicothe Business and Professional Women in conjunction with the Ross County League of Women Voters and the Chillicothe Social Society.

•  “Drop the Data” national tour to educate small and medium size businesses about the risks of retaining prohibited credit card data and how to protect your business from having the data stolen; Tuesday, Sept. 16, 8:45-10 a.m., Columbus Athletic Club, breakfast served, sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Visa, no charge, RSVP by Sept. 10 to Angie Bowen at 614-228-4201 or abowen@ohiochamber.com.
• “Your Employees Financial Literacy and Why You Should Care,” sponsored by Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Department, 8:30-noon, Thursday, Sept. 25, Ross County Service Center, 3 SHRM credit hours available; $10; RSVP to Cari Steinbrook at 702-2722 or csteinbrook@chillicotheohio.com.
• “Money for Small Business,” by OSU Small Business Development Center, 8:30-2, Thursday, Oct. 2, Scioto County Welcome Center, Portsmouth, $20, call Joy Bauman at 800-297-2071 Ext. 111 or register online: www.southcenters.osu.edu/benet/events.htm
• “Pitch Your Plan Training Workshop,” 9 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, Ross County Service Center, for entrepreneurs thinking about starting a business or businesses planning to expand; top prizes of $10,000 and $5,000 plus regional awards; required to enter competition, www.pitchyourplan.osu.edu