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Copyright
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
45 E. Main St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-2722
Community asset or opportunity?
Board plans decision this year on Smith
By Marvin Jones
President and CEO
For more than 75 years, the three-story structure at Arch and Vine streets served the community well as first, Chillicothe High School, then as Smith Middle School, named after the long-time high school principal. The 1,000-seat auditorium not only took care of school assemblies and plays, but also was a community theater, the largest of its kind in Ross County.
Today, the school sits empty with no future use in sight. It costs $80,000 a year to keep the rooms at least 50 degrees to prevent rapid deterioration. It’s going to cost maybe $250,000 to remove the asbestos before demolition that’s going to cost at least $500,000. So, what to do with the structure that some would like to see renovated and kept in use by private enterprise?
Randy Drewyor and Steve Mullins of the Chillicothe Board of Education talked to the chamber’s Advocacy Committee Thursday about the situation. The board is looking for input from the community before it makes a decision later this year on the structure. They said all sorts of options are being explored, but as with all such projects, it comes down to funding as to what eventually will happen. Some of those options include:
- Demolish the building (plus the former industrial arts and the “tin can” buildings) and leave the green space.
- Demolish all but the auditorium portion and build and adjoining new elementary to replace Worthington.
- Demolish the structures and convert the space to an athletic complex with baseball and softball diamonds.
- Hope a group comes along soon with a plan and money to renovate and restore it for other uses. The key word here is “soon.”
Drewyor and Mullins said there is an urgency to make a decision as each passing month means more expense to the district. They compared the $80,000 a year in minimal utilities to the cost of one teacher in the district where the average cost is $72,000 for salary and benefits.
The Smith situation is not unlike the ones faced by the school board years ago on the old West Fifth and Mt. Logan junior high schools. If you would like to weigh in on the decision, the school board next meets on Monday at 5:30 in the school cafeteria on Yoctangee Parkway.
Pump House to host Wednesday’s BAB
Chillicothe Pepsi, Classic Brands and Save-A-Lot are the co-sponsors for January’s Business After Business at the Pump House Center for the Arts in Yoctangee Park Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. It will be a good opportunity to get re-acquainted with the art gallery as well as catch up with colleagues and friends following the holiday season. Make sure to register if you plan to attend: BAB registration
Effort could pump $1 million into local economy
Employers can do themselves and their employees a big favor by checking into the third annual “It’s Your Money – You Earned It” campaign that provides free tax preparation assistance to low- and moderate-income workers. The Ross County Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition helps qualified families with incomes up to $57,000 ensure they receive all the credits that could add up to a good refund of taxes that can then be spent in the community on the goods and services of the employers. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 779-2798.
PACCAR center earns “green” recognition
In what might be the county’s first such designation, the PACCAR Medical Education Center is a LEED Silver certified structure by the U.S. Green Building Council. The award is based on the center’s use of sustainable strategies for energy efficiency and use of recycled materials in its construction. These features included:
- Bioswales that filter storm water runoff from the parking lot that remove pollutants and provide habitat for native birds and other species.
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures.
- An air distribution system that reduces energy consumption and improves the air quality.
- Use of construction materials that had more than 30 percent recycled material.
Subsidized employment program provides benefit
Businesses now have the opportunity take advantage of a wage reimbursement program in which the employer will be paid up to 50 percent of each eligible employee’s wages up to $5,000. Job seekers must meet the eligibility requirements of 150 percent of the federal poverty level and must have a child under age of 18. Examples of 150 percent of FPL: Family of 2 monthly income - $1,822 and family of 4 monthly income - $2,757. Ross County Jobs and Family Services must approve all employees prior to the beginning of their hire date. For more information contact Elizabeth Camponeschi at 702-2722, ecamponeschi@chillicotheohio.com or Kim Baker at 779-2946, BAKERK04@odjfs.state.oh.us.
HR expert to present at luncheon
Scott Warrick, a 25-year professional in the human resource business, presents “Paving the Road from Tactical to Strategic HR” at the Feb. 25 luncheon of the South Central Ohio Human Resource Council. The luncheon is open to all who perform HR duties in their position. For more information on this and other chapter events: SCOHR events
Other news to note:
- USEC’s Vendor Fair Wednesday (Jan. 20) has been moved to the auditorium of the Miracle City Academy at 204 Commercial Blvd. in Piketon. It starts at 1 p.m.
- Ross County Treasurer Jerry Byers reports the property tax bills sent this week “will be within a few dollars of last year’s amount.” Those in Buckskin and Paint townships will see an increase for the joint fire district levy approved in November while those in Adelphi get a decrease from an expired levy. Deadline to pay: Feb. 12.
- Congratulations to the OSU Small Business Development Center for winning the 2009 Best Center in Ohio award recently. The center, which uses the chamber office for counseling for local clients, served more than 600 clients and helped start 22 new businesses which created 41 jobs in the region.
Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:
- The Garden Patch, 770 Larrick Lane, by Laura Uhrig.
- Paul David, 88 W. Water St., by Paul Wrightsel.
- Air Fields Ltd., 6759 Ohio 159.
- CVS Pharmacies, 11 Centennial Blvd. and 1021 N. Bridge St., by Ohio CVS Stores LLC.
Area business workshops and seminars:
- Small Business Tax Workshop: Thursday, Jan. 28, OSU South Centers, 1862 Shyville Road, Piketon; presented by the Internal Revenue Service and Ohio Department of Taxation; $15 for breakfast and lunch; register by Jan. 22; contact: Joy Bauman at jbauman@ag.osu.edu or 800-860-7232 Ext. 111.
- An Introduction to Government Procurement: Friday, Feb. 5, OSU Endeavor Center, 1864 Shyville Road, Piketon; 1-4 p.m., $5 fee; by the Southern Ohio Procurement Outreach Center; contact and registration: Procurement workshop
- Taking Charge of Technology—Basic Website Design: 6-class course starting April 6 and ending June 15, from 9-2; $100 fee includes lunch and materials; contact: 740-289-2071 Ext. 111.
Have an item for the newsletter? Email CEO Marvin Jones at mjones@chillicotheohio.com.