Upcoming Events

View all Events

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

Survey says: National and local

recovery to take awhile

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

“I can’t imagine we will pull out easily or quickly, but I feel that plans are being made and efforts taken” to address the nation’s recession, said one of the 145 chamber members who participated in this week’s survey on the economy.

That comment was echoed by the results that showed 62 percent feel it won’t be until some time in 2010 before the economy begins to improve and another 20 percent feel it will be even longer. In what seems to be a surprising finding, 61 percent said their business is either the same or better than a year ago. Only 6 percent said business was much worse.

When asked about the number of employees they have now versus a year ago, 65 percent said they have the same number while 14 percent said they had more. Twenty-one percent reported fewer employers. Those figures changed, though, when looking at the results for respondents with 25 or more workers. Of those 43 answering, 40 percent said they had the same or fewer employees than a year ago.

Other findings from the survey that ended Thursday:

• When it comes to cutting expenses to make ends meet, nearly 60 percent said they slashed advertising and marketing costs followed by no or reduced pay increases and lowering energy costs.
• A vast majority (63 percent) said they don’t think the economic stimulus action by Congress will have an effect in the next six months. Only 41 percent said they felt our region will directly benefit from the stimulus.
• 82 percent of those answering have been in business more than 5 years.
• Other ways members are saving on expenses: Reducing work hours, reducing capital spending, curtailing out-sourcing, raising deductibles on health insurance.

“I may be optimistic, but remaining hopeful,” said one chamber member. To view all of the results from the survey: Chamber Economic Survey

New resources to help your business cope

If you are looking for some help with a specific issue or just want to commiserate with fellow business people, the chamber is making help available 24/7/365 on its website. The new links are under the Business Resources section of the homepage.

• “Resources for small business” provides links to experts who might be able to help with specific issues or give you suggestions on other matters. The page offers direct links to the OSU Small Business Development Center, the local branch of SCORE, the Small Business Administration and others whose focus is purely on small business. If you think of other links that should be listed, let us know.
• Networking is huge for small business owners. That’s why we created “Area Business Groups” specifically to let you know of local organizations that have a definite business-related purpose. Rotary, Kiwanis, Business and Professional Women. If you think your group should be listed, let us know.

Mayor to present State of City on March 3

The chamber is sponsoring a luncheon Tuesday, March 3 in which Mayor Joe Sulzer will present his annual State of the City address. The mayor will detail the major progress made in the various departments in 2008 and talk about major initiatives for 2009 and beyond. The River View Conference Room behind the Christopher Inn is the site for the luncheon that starts at 11:30 a.m. The fee is $15 for chamber member members and $25 for non-members. Sign up now to attend: State of City registration

Elks hosting, co-sponsoring Wednesday’s BAB

Joining the Elks as co-sponsors for next week’s Business After Business are Theta Pro2 Serve, Atomic Credit Union, Centers for Hand and Physical Rehabilitation and the LEAD program of Ohio Dominican University. JoRo Catering will provide the appetizers, Lem Ott the music and beverages will be available from 5-7 p.m. Make sure to let us know you plan to attend: BAB registration

YPN planning financial session

Bruce Rathkamp from Rathkamp Financial will talk about the current economic climate and look into his crystal ball when he talks to the Young Professionals Network on Wednesday, Feb. 25. YPN also will have its popular speed networking feature (bring plenty of business cards) at the session starting at 5:30 at the Dock at Water. The $5 charge helps cover the appetizers. For more information: www.chillicotheypn.com

News from and about chamber members:

• A week after George Glatfelter II addressed chamber members at the Annual Dinner, the company reported its year-end results that included record revenues of $1.3 billion and the announcement that the acquisition of the Chillicothe operations nearly three years ago achieved the company’s target in per share earnings.
• Our sympathies are with the Herrnstein family on the death this week of Lucille Herrnstein, 87. She founded with her late husband Art the family dealership that is now Herrnstein Chrysler and Herrnstein Hyundai. Gazette obituary
• If you missed the email earlier this week, the governor is now taking proposals on projects – public and private -- which could be funded by Ohio’s share of the federal economic stimulus program. For more: www.recovery.ohio.gov
• Junior Achievement is looking for a few good counselors to spread the gospel of free enterprise and financial literacy to today’s students. Call Kathy Litter Ray at 775-8420 or email her at kray@bright.net.
• Adena Regional Medical Center was one of only 93 hospitals in the nation to earn the Silver Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology Foundation. The local hospital followed for 12 months the established, science-based treatment guidelines for heart attack patients.
• The David Ater Dyslexia and ADHD Clinic is sponsoring a presentation by one of the nation’s leading dyslexia experts on Friday, March 6 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Parents, educators and other professionals are invited to attend. Sign up online at www.ater.eventbrite.com or call Jean Kerney at 773-2343.
• If you have a background in business, accounting or related field, the Ross County Board of MRDD has a vacant position available on its board. For more information, contact Rick Marriott at 773-8044.
• Kevin and Amy Mears are now affiliated with the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation that provides infant bereavement photography. For more information: www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.

Pastor A.C. Collins of the Quinn Chapel Church hands out packets to members of the chamber's Leadership Chillicothe Ross class during Wednesday's session on diversity, arts and religion. The class has three more sessions before graduating in May in addition to completing their project to improve the environment of the visitation room at the Children's Services agency on East Second Street. To learn more about the program and sign up for the next class that starts in September: Leadership program

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

• The Hangout, 3213 Trego Creek Road, alterations for change of use, no value given.
• C. Walters Enterprises, 520 S. Paint St., alterations, $8,000.
• Western View Townhouses, 402 E. Main St., electric, $500.
• Scioto Board of Reatlors, 49 N. Plaza Blvd., electric, $500.
• Menards, 1570 N. Bridge St., traffic signal electric, no value given.
• Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ in Christian Union, 770 Jefferson Ave., sprinklers, $75,000.
• City of Chillicothe, 575 E. Seventh St., transit building, $3 million.

Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:

• Jawz Hydraulics, 1808 Sulphur Lick Road, by Tari Myers.
• Ross County License Bureau, 475 Western Ave., by Ron Nichols.
• Two Roasting Joes, 509 Woodview Drive.

Advocacy has always been a big part of this chamber. In the photo above, then Rep. William Harsha greeted on the steps of the Capital a contingent from Chillicothe at the 1967 Annual Meeting of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. From left are Robert Muckler, manager of the local chamber at the time; Herb Friedman representing the Ross County Industrial Development Fund; and Ralph Helmick, a local chamber board member.