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Copyright 2008

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

New floodplain map opens

more areas for development

By Marvin Jones

President/CEO

In about a year, more land could become available for development and many businesses and residents could see lower insurance premiums, all thanks to a redrawing of the floodplain maps for Ross County.

The owners of about 3,000 parcels received notices this week of proposed changes in the map, the first in six years. The map wasn’t scheduled for an update until about four years from now, but because the county has embraced new technology, it will be one of the first in the nation to have a digitized floodplain map, according to Keith Putnam, the county’s planning and building administrator.

Using the county’s GIS maps, new aerial photography and other technology, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) accelerated Ross County’s update. One was done in 1992 and the last one in 2003. Putnam said the new map takes into consideration topographic elevation changes of just two feet, rather than the standard 10 feet, allowing for more precise boundaries for floodplains.

One example of the proposed changes is along the North Bridge Street corridor. As noted on this map from the Ross County Auditor’s website, the shaded areas show land that is currently in a floodplain that will be out in the new version. This includes areas along Marietta Road, almost all of the Chillicothe Manor and Zane Addition subdivisions and the Zane Village mobile home park in addition to the Lowes, Kroger and Chillicothe Mall areas.

An area that will open for development is further north on the west side of Bridge Street from Shawnee Lanes north to the apartments. The county already is planning a road to connect the apartments to the road leading to Tractor Supply.

By removing the federal floodplain designation, developers need not build up the foundation elevation and purchase mandatory flood insurance, both prohibitive costs to development. For residents with mortgages, flood insurance, sometimes as much or more than normal homeowners insurance, won’t be necessary if the floodplain designation is removed. Many residents along Ohio 772 from around Rozelle Creek to Bishop Hill roads are slated to have the designation removed.

On the negative side, the floodplain designation looks to be added to stretches around Frankfort and North Fork Creek in addition to the Paint Creek area along U.S. 50 near Bainbridge.

Owners affected by the changes in the map have until mid June to appeal the new designations. Both the city and county governments must approve the changes that won’t become effective until some time in 2010.

To view your property on the auditor’s website, go to www.co.ross.oh.us/auditor, click the “Search” tab, enter your parcel number or address, click the parcel number, click the aerial photo on the right, click the “Basemap” tab on the left and check both the floodplain boxes. The map then will show if there’s a change in the designation for your property.

Or, if you don’t want to go through or have trouble with the process, call the county Planning Department at 773-7200. If you didn’t receive a card in the mail about the changes, then the designation for your property hasn’t changed. The cards went to the owners of the properties, not necessarily the property itself.

County seeking federal funds for roads, bridges

Among the 111 “earmarks” on the list of Rep. Zack Space, seven are for Ross County road and bridge repairs totaling $3.5 million. Under new rules of Congress to promote transparency, congressman now must list the specific projects in their district for which they might seek funds in future appropriations measures.

The only non-infrastructure project on the county list is $500,000 for the modernization of the Roweton School and Employment Center on Biers Run Road. “The project is a valuable use of taxpayer funds because it will create employment opportunities for at-risk youths,” says the description of the project. Funds would go to upgrade utility, telecommunications and computer systems.

Other projects include replacing a bridge on County Road 213 in Jefferson Township and one on Three Locks Road in addition to road resurfacing on County Roads 207, 222, 35 and other roads.

There are no projects on the list for the city of Chillicothe or private enterprises. The largest projects on Space’s list are $4.2 million for a private firm in Cambridge for research on a special steel alloy for military use and $3.8 million for Ohio University for an alternative energy project.

To see the complete list from Rep. Space: District special projects

Weather didn’t deter this BAB crowd

New grandfather Randy Davies of Horizon Chillicothe Telephone might have to wait a few years before turning over to his grandchild the door prize he won at Wednesday’s Business After Business at The Sunroom@The Brick in Frankfort. Herrnstein Chrysler donated the bicycle while Classic Brands and the Sunroom also provided prizes. If your business is interested in hosting a BAB in 2010, give us a call at 702-2722 to make arrangements. If your place is too small to host the event, we can help make arrangements or we can help team you with other smaller businesses to spread the cost. Check out photos from this week’s event: BAB photos

Tidbits from out and about

• Do the spirits live in your downtown area business or home? The Chillicothe-Ross League of Women Voters seeks locations for its “Ghost Walk 2009 – History and Mystery Tour” in the fall. Last year, 425 participated in the tours. For more information: Bart Henshaw at 773-6207 or Tammy Eallanardo at tammy45690@yahoo.com
• Congratulations to Ralph Metzger on his election to president of the Ohio Association of Healthcare Philanthropy. The executive director of the Adena Health Foundation also received his designation as a certified fund raising executive.
• The Gift Post at 601 E. Main St. is making it easy for bosses to recognize their employees this coming Wednesday on national Administrative Professionals Day. Gift baskets and floral arrangements beginning at $21.95 are available. The $3 delivery fee is waived if you tell them you saw this in the chamber newsletter. To order: 773-7368 or giftpost@horizonview.net

Only one session left for leadership class

The nine-month program of the chamber’s Chillicothe Ross Leadership program comes to an end May 13 with the last session and that evening’s graduation ceremony. Before that, though, the class of 12 completes its project to renovate the visitation room at Children’s Services on East Second Street. New paint, carpeting, furniture and toys will make the experience for parents much nicer when the project is completed on May 9, followed by a ceremony at noon that day. This past week, the class talked with

business owners, such as Tom White of Accurate Heating and Cooling, as part of its program on small businesses. To learn more about the program and apply for next year’s class that begins Sept. 9, click here.

Here’s who’s joined the chamber recently:

• Super Scoopers, 2184 Egypt Pike, by James Polley, animal waste removal services, 937-876-9854, www.superscoopersremoval.com

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

• JLW Holdings, 106 S. Walnut St., alterations, value $3,000.
• RL Hamm Family, 350 Douglas Ave., roofing, $22,500.
• Warren Hensley, 86 N. Walnut St., sidewalk and curb replacement, $5,500.
• Margaret Kerns, 72 N. Walnut St., sidewalk and curb replacement, $2,200.
• Central Center Ltd., 80 Central Center, signs, $1,500.
• No owner given, 213 E. Water St., hood suppression, $1,500.
• Adena Health System, 272 Hospital Road, kitchen alterations, $10,000.
• Kenworth Truck Company, 65 Kenworth Drive, electrical alterations, $25,000.

Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:

• Chuck’s, 437 N. High St., by Debbie Tinsley.
• Buchwalter Technical Services, 77 Church St., by Ben Buchwalter.
• Matt Day Photography, 31086 U.S. 50 east, by Matt Day.

Value Added Business Services cut the ribbon on its new Operations Center this week. The 23,000 square foot facility on Ohio 32 at Burlington Road in Jackson houses the centralized order entry, communications and distribution activities for office, janitorial and safety and supplies, printing and promotional products and furniture. Owner Craig Lund is just left of Jackson Mayor Randy Heath, who is wielding the scissors.