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Copyright 2008

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

Expert: New, larger industrial park

would help attract more jobs

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

To attract new jobs to the region, Ross County would do well to begin development of a new industrial park, according to an expert who helps companies find locations for new industries.

Frank Spano, the associate director of Austin Consulting, said this week that Ross County has plenty of positives when it comes to the criteria important to site selectors, but a larger industrial park with roads, water and sewer lines in place would be a major enhancement. He spoke to board members of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio, the chamber, Community Improvement Corporation and government officials.

The Gateway Interchange Industrial Park on Ohio 104, shown above, is 90 acres total with seven lots already sold on the northern end and no road leading to the far southern portion. All utilities, though are in place. The Great Seal Industrial Park – home to Kenworth, YSK and Commercial Vehicle Group – has only one lot still available.

“When the Alliance engaged the services of Austin Consulting to evaluate our community, we had two basic objectives in mind,” said Alliance CEO Christopher Manegold. “The first is product improvement -- how do we better prepare ourselves and our partners to deal successfully with an opportunity when it comes along?  Our second objective is to raise the profile of the Chillicothe/Ross County region through a first-hand introduction to another top-tier site selection firm, as we did with Bob Ady last year.”

Spano presented the Alliance with a fictitious metal fabrication company looking for a 75,000 square foot building on 8-12 acres, hiring 70 employees and investing $14.5 million in the community. The Alliance had a short deadline to respond to information requests and then gave Spano a one-day tour of the area Monday that included interviews with local industry, job training, workforce development, utility and government officials.

Some of the strengths Spano noted:

• There was a “business friendly community vibe” during his visit.
• No concerns about labor availability.
• The Pickaway-Ross Career and Technical Center is an excellent resource and the Ohio University campus is a community asset.
• Good road conditions throughout the community and region.
• Attractive downtown area, including major and continuous renovations on Main and Paint streets. Critical need, though, to renovate the Carlisle Building.
• Overall, everyone was on the same page regarding the need to bring more business to the area.

On the “needs improvement” side of the ledger:

• Provide more detailed maps of proposed sites, showing property boundaries, utility lines, flood plains and topography.
• Provide information on unionized and non-unionized operations in the area.
• Include any planned road improvements.
• Establish a “fast track” permitting process for high priority projects.
• Continue and grow relationship with adjacent southern Ohio counties.

“We accomplished both of our goals during Spano’s visit,” Manegold said. “We received valuable input and practical action steps to improve our competitiveness, and there is no print or electronic substitute for 15 hours of face-to-face conversations.”

Chamber members to converge on Columbus May 12

Your chamber plans to send a contingent to Columbus on May 12 for the “Chamber Day at the Capital” sponsored by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. The day goes from 1-7 p.m., starting with briefings on current legislation in the General Assembly followed by presentations by the director of the Department of Transportation and the superintendent of the Ohio Board of Education. A special panel discussion on Entrepreneurism will be followed by a reception expected to be attended by our local legislators. The cost is $35. To register to attend, email mjones@chillicotheohio.com or call our office at 702-2722. We’ll work out travel arrangements when we know how many have registered.

“Day Breakers a new way to network

The chamber’s Workforce Development Department is sponsoring a new series of early morning networking events to give members a chance to talk about how they are coping with the economy, other issues they might be facing and giving them a chance to meet with other members for potential business purposes. The first “Day Breakers” is set for 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 22 at Schlegel’s on North Paint Street. Information on the Jobs One-Stop also will be available. No need to register, just show up bright and early and leave when you need to get back to business.

Sunroom ready for BAB no matter the weather

Rain or shine, the Sunroom@The Brick in Frankfort is all set to host Wednesday’s Business After Business. If the weather cooperates, Garret Shoemaker and Patti Kruger plan to show off the patio and provide activities such as Bocci ball and cornhole games. Chamber members and their guests will get to enjoy the fine spread of appetizers and beverages and be eligible for door prizes, such as a bicycle compliments of Herrnstein Chrysler and Hyundai. The event hall is on County Road 550 (Old U.S. 35). Click here to let us know you’re planning to attend and for a map of the exact location: Sunroom BAB

Chamber golf outing set for June 12 at Valley Vista

The rolling hills of the Bainbridge area provide the backdrop for the chamber’s Annual Golf Outing this year at Valley Vista Golf Course. Owner John Brown and staff will have the 18-hole course in top shape while golfers will enjoy a complete meal following the round and the chance to win one of the many door prizes. We’ll have a shotgun start at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 12. To register your team or yourself: Golf outing

Local housing market starting to thaw

Bill Leib, head of the Scioto Valley Association of Realtors with Exit First Capital Realty, said this week at an informal gathering that the inventory of homes for sale on the local market is down to about 12 months, a big improvement from the 19 months last June. Other agents said they are seeing the most activity in the $80,000-90,000 range while the upper end of the market is still tough. Mortgage brokers said they also are starting to see – and promote – people using the $8,000 tax credit for new home buyers. In fact, some buyers are amending their 2008 tax returns and receiving the $8,000 from the federal government in just a few weeks that helps offset closing costs, lower loan amounts or buy furniture and appliances.

Connect with the chamber on LinkedIn

If you’re using the LinkedIn social media site to help you network, make sure to sign up to be part of the chamber’s group to connect with other chamber members. It’s a way to start discussions and post news items you think will benefit others. Click here to join: LinkedIn chamber group

Two seminars set for next week

An information seminar on the U.S. Department of Labor’s regulations and a session on doing business with the Ohio Department of Transportation are set for next Thursday (April 16).

• The SHRM South Central Ohio Human Resources Council is a partner on the labor seminar that runs 8:30-3 at the Ross County Service Center and will cover family leave, OSGA, minimum wage and other issues. The $25 fee includes lunch. To register: Joy Bauman at 800-860-7232 Ext. 111 or jbauman@ag.osu.edu.
• The ODOT seminar runs 1-4 at the OSU Endeavor Center in Piketon and costs $5. It will cover buying practices and finding projects on the ODOT website. To register: 740-377-4550.

Tidbits from out and about

• ODOT this week installed the 13^th set of traffic signals in a 2.3-mile stretch of North Bridge Street. The newest signals at Hopetown Road “will help to improve safety and better mitigate traffic passing through this busy intersection,” said James Brushart, deputy director of District 9.
• Senior citizens get an up-close look at the improvements at the Pickaway-Ross Career and Technical Center Thursday when the school plans tours, specials in the cosmetology and automotive tech labs, complimentary coffee and cake in the morning and soup and salad for lunch. The event runs 9:30-1.
• Kevin and Amy Mears will have their works included in the Annual Print Competition of the Professional Photographers of America. The Mears Photography duo were honored with a combined total of seven blue ribbons and merits.
• Information sessions on the state’s portion of the federal stimulus program are planned by the governor’s office for local government officials, non-profit and community organizations and small, minority owned and economically disadvantaged business enterprises. To find one to fit your schedule: Stimulus workshops
• “Selling to our Neighbors: Canada and Mexico” is a seminar set for Thursday, April 30 at the OSU South Centers in Piketon by the U.S. Department of Commerce. It runs 8:30-1:30 and the $25 fee includes breakfast and lunch. To register: Canada-Mexico seminar

Here’s who’s joined the chamber recently:

• AKM Roofing Company, 440 Chamber Drive, by Mike Gross, 773-0264, www.akmroofing.com

Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:

• Massieville Sunoco, 7942 U.S. 23, by Scioto Oil Company.
• The Olive Garden Restaurant, 1417 N. Bridge St., by N and D Restaurants
• Red Lobster, 1079 N. Bridge St., by N and D Restaurants

The chamber office is closed for Good Friday.