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www.chillicotheypn.com

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www.visitchillicotheohio.com

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Copyright 2008

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

Group forming to explore

Adena Mansion partnership

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

Turning the Adena Mansion and Gardens into a prime destination for local, state and national history buffs is the goal of a new group now forming to explore management of the restored home of Thomas Worthington.

The Ohio Historical Society wants to find local partners to manage about 18 sites around the state, including Adena. It has about 30 partners for its 59 sites now, but is interested in turning management over to local groups or organizations as a way to not only save money, but also to have them operated by those passionate about the sites and their success as tourist attractions.

The Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau explored the partnership the past several months, but recently decided it was not a good fit for the bureau.

At the first meeting this week of what’s being called the Adena Partnership Exploratory Group, it was decided to form committees to research the various aspects of managing the site to prepare a formal business plan and to recruit more local people. Members of this new group include those affiliated with the chamber, the visitors bureau and the Friends of Adena organization as well as those who’ve expressed a desire to see a local partnership agreement.

Topics for committees to research include finances, fundraising, volunteer management, staffing, the gift shop, events and other income possibilities, marketing and public relations and grounds maintenance.

If you or someone you know would be interested in helping, get in touch with either Kyrsten Vogel (Kyrsten@visitchillicotheohio.com) or me (mjones@chillicotheohio.com)

Tourism chief to speak at luncheon

To help drive home the importance of the tourism industry locally, Ami Eylon is the guest speaker Wednesday for the luncheon sponsored by the chamber’s YPN group. The director of Ohio’s tourism division will also address the future of the division and take questions from those interested in learning more about taking advantage of the area’s visitors. The luncheon starts at noon at the Ross County Heritage Center on East Fifth Street and costs $15. To register: www.chillicotheypn.com

Foreclosure rate increasing locally

Ross County is on pace to have more than 500 foreclosure actions filed this year, an increase of 30 percent to 2008 and an 83 percent increase to 2007. Through March, 139 foreclosure actions had been filed, according to the website of Ross County Clerk of Courts Ty Hinton. The 48 actions filed in March compared to 34 last year and 26 in 2007. There are some indications it may get worse before getting better as lenders across the nation lift the 2008 moratorium on foreclosures.

Local unemployment rate rises slightly

The 0.1 percentage point gain in Ross County’s rate of unemployment in March to 12.1 percent was still much higher than the 7.5 percent rate of the county a year ago. Rates actually went down in Pike, Vinton and Jackson counties, but all were well above their 2008 figures. Here are the latest figures from the state:

Day Breakers share information, make new contacts

The group at the chamber’s first Day Breakers networking function this week talked about how their businesses are faring in this economy before getting around to discussing the how they are using social media (Facebook, LinkedIn) and the internet to help their bottom lines. The Workforce Development Department of the chamber sponsored the bimonthly event at Schlegel’s Coffee House downtown. The next Day Breakers is set for Coffee Central in Central Center on Wednesday, June 24 at 8 a.m.

Tidbits from and about our members:

• The works of Kevin and Amy Mears of Mears Photography will be on display starting Thursday (April 30) at the Pump House Center for the Arts. The photos will include landscapes, fine art, floral and lifestyle portraiture. Many are available for sale with a percentage of the proceeds going to the Pump House.
• From pots and pans to a piano to tool bins to antiques and everything in between. Saturday’s auction by the Friends of Memorial Field benefits future improvements and projects at the VA stadium. The items are from two estates and the auction starts at 10 a.m.

Here’s who’s joined the chamber recently:

• 1855 Unique Room Rentals, 1855 Western Ave. (former Southeastern Business College), by Connie Pruitt, 773-1855, www.uniqueroomrentals.com, this will be the site for May 20 Business After Business.

Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:

• Paint Creek Rental, 14000 U.S. 50 west, by Max and Judy Shoemaker.
• Little Jon Archery Products, 315 W. Hydell Road.
• James N. Richards, 359 E. Fourth St.
• Curves, 20 Executive Center Drive, by Savoy Faire.

The Scioto Valley Association of REALTORS christened its new headquarters Friday with a ribbon cutting at 49 N. Plaza Boulevard, across from the Christopher Conference Center.