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Economic Development
www.edaso.org

Chillicothe Job Bank
www.chillicothejobbank.net

Downtown Chillicothe
www.downtownchillicothe.com

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www.chillicotheypn.com

Visitors Bureau
www.visitchillicotheohio.com

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Copyright 2008

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

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National radio show captures

mood, feeling of the community

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

For about five minutes Thursday afternoon, listeners across the country – and some in foreign lands – learned how Chillicotheans and Ross Countians are feeling about the recent swings in the economy. Thankfully, it was an accurate portrayal of the community.

Veteran reporter Robert Siegel of the “All Things Considered” program of National Public Radio spent Wednesday and part of Thursday in the community, talking to clerks, Glatfelter employees, the mayor, the chamber exec and those attending the Business After Business. He and producer Art Silverman (with the microphone boom) captured the thoughts, hopes and anxieties in the community.

• Carl Winfield of Glatfelter spoke of the increasingly tougher efforts to make ends meet with grocery and gasoline prices rising.
• Tammy Bonner of the city Utilities Department told of how more and more are seeking extensions to pay their water and sewer bills.
• Mayor Joe Sulzer said the area’s shopping center parking lots seem to have fewer and fewer vehicles from surrounding counties.
• BAB patrons at Honda Harley Suzuki left the impressions that they are “somehow resolutely optimistic.”
• The clerk at a payday lender feared defeat of the state issue on the ballot will mean she’ll lose her job.

Yes, it could be construed as a depressing account since there were no mentions of the expansion at Adena Health System, new stores and restaurants, but from an overall viewpoint, it captured what many are feeling and the mood that’s permeating the community. Like just about everywhere else in this country today, Chillicothe and Ross County are hoping and waiting anxiously for better times to return.

To hear the full segment: Snapshot of the Economic Crisis from Ohio

Talked-about projects might be moving

It seems recent developments could mean the start soon of two major projects in the city.

Paperwork for land transfers hit the Recorders Office this week that should clear the way for the Walgreens pharmacy at Western Avenue and Plyley’s Lane. Anchor Properties, the developer for Walgreens, made exchanges with Reynolds Shell and Ingle-Barr Construction that provides the land for the pharmacy and turns control of the former Skate-A-Way over to Ingle-Barr.

The Columbus-based owners of the Carlisle Building finally received their $750,000 in historic tax credits this week. That should clear the way for them to finally decide on the best way to renovate the architectural gem. We also might hope that they could re-negotiate with the city for the administration offices, making it financially viable for both parties, but barring that, getting the façade alone restored would be a great first step.

Perfect weather, great food greeted BAB visitors

In addition to the reporter and producer from NPR, the Business After Business saw about 150 others take advantage of the gorgeous weather and the great food from the Old Canal Smoke House and beverages from co-sponsor Classic Brands. Honda Harley Suzuki, Litter Quality Propane and Litter Industries teamed for the event in which many went home with door prizes ranging from propane cylinders to baskets of goodies. More than 20 photos from the event are now online: BAB photos

Next month’s Expo doubles as the BAB

The Shoemaker Convocation Center at Ohio University-Chillicothe is the venue for the combined annual chamber Expo and BAB on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Early response has been good by exhibitors, but there’s still plenty of space left. A more open format is going to be attempted to give more people a clear view of the stage area as door prizes will be handed out periodically rather than at the end of the event. Click here to register your space: Expo reservation

New online directory, calendar getting a workout

More than 40 times a day, someone is looking online for a chamber member business. According to statistics from our new membership management package, the online directory was searched 1,346 times in the last month. Of those searching, 560 did it by category. The most searched category was for advertising and media followed by restaurants, food and beverages and business and professional services. Opportunities are available for every member to have their business on top if someone searches your category. That gives you more exposure and can send people straight to your website. You should have an email soon giving you more information on how to take advantage of this marketing opportunity. Online directory

Arts council wants to hear from community

The “Listening Tour” of the Ohio Arts Council is landing in Chillicothe on Wednesday, Nov. 19 for three meetings to hear about artistic opportunities we’d like to see in the future. Three separate sessions are scheduled. From 8-9:30 a.m. at the Mona Lisa Café, local officials and the business community is invited. Artists, arts educators and administrators are invited to the Pump House Center for the Arts from 4-5:30 and a town hall meeting for everyone is set for 7-8:30 at the Majestic Performing Arts Center Theatre. If you plan to attend any of the sessions, you can register in advance: OAC Listening Tour

Short takes from here and there:

• The Scioto Valley Association of Realtors is celebrating its 60^th anniversary with an open house featuring food, prizes and music at its office in Central Center. The event runs 5-7 p.m.
• Heartland of Chillicothe is showing off its renovated rehabilitation unit with tours next Wednesday (Oct. 22) at 1058 Columbus St. from 4-6 p.m.
• The Franklin House Museum of the Ross County Historical Society re-opened for tours recently following two years of renovation and new exhibit installation. The rooms now more accurately reflect the manner in which they appeared when used by the Franklin family. Tours are available during regular hours of noon-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday through December.
• The Chillicothe Jaycees are looking for their next Outstanding Citizen of the Year. Nominations are now being accepted through Nov. 10 and are available at www.chillicothejaycees.org. Call Cheryl Barlage (703-7515) or Carie Wolfe (253-9423) for more information.
• Want to help promote the free enterprise system to our youth? The Junior Achievement program has openings for 8^th grade and high school level programs in the Chillicothe school system. If interested, call Kathy Litter Ray at 775-8420 or email her at kray@bright.net.
• Universal 1 Credit Union is supporting Operation: Thank You by serving as a drop-off location for donations going to troops in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Items and cash donations are being accepted through Dec. 31. For a list of donation suggestions: www.universal1cu.org.

Newest members of the chamber:

• Lunsford Insurance Agency, 69 W. Second St., by Scott Lunsford, 779-0246.

Vendor licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:

• Penn Station East Coast Subs, 787 N. Bridge St., by Miller West.      

Workshops, seminars, etc.

• “Technology Today: Safeguarding the Door to Your Company,” free seminar by Time Warner Cable, about protecting your computer network from hackers and spyware; special guest is ADS; free lunch provided by the Old Canal Smoke House; Thursday, Oct. 30, 11:30-1, Best Western Inn, North Bridge Street; register at www.twcbc.com/MidOhio/TechLunch/register.