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Copyright

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

Employers and workers both win

under locally originated legislation

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

Legislation to help companies better manage their workforce during downturns in addition to providing their workers with benefits and better job stability is making its way through the Ohio General Assembly. The impetus for the legislation began here in Ross County.

State Rep. Ray Pryor said this morning in a press conference held in the chamber’s conference room that his Work Share bill saves jobs and “it could literally save homes.” The bill introduced Thursday came about from discussions Pryor held with Kenworth Truck Company Plant Manager Scott Blue about six months ago.

The bill, already law in 18 other states, gives employers, including local and state government agencies, the flexibility to reduce the hours of employees who then can collect unemployment benefits while maintaining their fringe benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans. Current law allows workers to collect unemployment only if they have been laid off for a week or more.

Blue gave the example of a company having the choice to lay off 20 percent of its workers – about 200 in Kenworth’s case – or cutting hours 20 percent (such as going to a 4-day work week). Victoria Schaefer, head of human resources for Glatfelter, said this bill works well for cyclical businesses.

Robert Gallagher, who heads the Ross County Department of Job and Family Services, said this would help the stability of family situations. It ensures more people can make their house or rent payments and keeps them off food stamps and other forms of public assistance.

Pryor said one estimate on the cost to implement the change was $4 million for Job and Family Services to re-program their computers, but that amount can easily be saved in not having to pay full unemployment benefits in the event of a mass layoff. He said he talked to companies, labor unions, chambers and others before introducing the legislation and found no negative feelings.

He said he hoped the bill would emerge from committee hearings in 4-6 weeks and that possibly it could be signed into law in as little as two months. It could take up to six months after that to be implemented and available to companies and workers.

Local workers use national stage to talk to Washington

Chillicothe and Ross County took the stage for 13 minutes Tuesday on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” program, hosted by Robert Siegel. You’ll recall Siegel was in town a week ago taking the pulse of the community about 14 months after his first visit here in October 2008.

In addition to talking to the CEOs of three of our largest employers, he also talked with three workers at Kenworth. He asked them what message they would send to Washington about the economy:

• Mike Miller: “I would say try to get out here and listen to the people and get us back to where we used to be as far as having good jobs in this country.”
• Joyce Underhill: “I think they need to focus on the people and what they need. And the political things, they need to put aside and try to focus on the American people and taking care of us.”
• Robert Call: “The blue-collar people are the people that run this country, drive every aspect of the economy and everything. … They need not to lose touch with reality as far as who we are and what we need.”

Hear the entire segment and access the transcript: Chillicothe on All Things Considered

Chamber viewbook/directory on their way; available online

The chamber’s Ambassadors and staff plan to begin delivering the 2010 viewbook/directory to members next week, but for those wanting a sneak peek, the entire book, complete with members’ advertisements, is available online. We’ve added a permanent link on our website homepage in case you ever need to refer to it, but here’s one to take you to it now (give it some time to load): Chamber viewbook. This books are great for your waiting rooms or visitor areas in addition to being a tool to help recruit future employees who live out of town. If you need extra copies, just let us know.

Visitors guide for 2010 also available

The Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau took delivery recently of its annual visitors guide. While it certainly helps tourists and others coming to our vicinity for our various attractions, it’s also a great guide for local folks planning to have family, friends and others in for reunions, casual get-togethers or any other reason. The guides are available at all local lodging locations in addition to many other places around town. If you’d like a copy or two, stop by the office at 45 E. Main St.

Adena gets major accreditation rating

The state-of-the-art PACCAR Medical Education Center and its staff are two main reasons it received Continuing Medical Education Accreditation from the Ohio State Medical Association. Opened in September 2008, the center and staff achieved the designation in large part from the David Meade Massie Virtual Hospital which uses advanced devices, such as human simulation mannequins. The center hosted 17 continuing education events in 2009 and plans to host 50 this year.

Local veterans can get help locally

Veterans who need help accessing all their benefits can now visit the local office of the Veterans Benefits Administration at the VA Medical Center. A new office at the center opened Jan. 12 and is available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-2:30 in Building 31, Room B037. Call 773-1141 Ext. 6335 for information.

The “DHL Effect” hits hard in December

The closure of the DHL air freight terminal and the loss of 8,000 at the Wilmington site rippled through the economy big time in December, according to figures from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Highland County’s rate of 17.3 percent was even higher than Clinton’s, the home of the former facility, which was at 16.2 percent. Ross County’s rate also spiked in the month along with all other contiguous counties. Here’s the breakdown:

Expo and Job Fair great for employers and would-be workers

The 21^st Annual Employer Expo and Job Fair on March 23 is a good time for employers to promote their goods, services and workplace while those looking for careers and positions have an opportunity to meet face-to-face with managers. Employers have until March 5 to sign up to participate in this free-of-charge event. In addition to this chamber, other event partners are the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio University-Chillicothe, Ross County Jobs One-Stop, Pickaway County Jobs One-Stop and the Ross County Veterans Council. Click here to register for space at OU-C’s Shoemaker Center: Expo/Job Fair

State plans celebration of entrepreneurs

Small business owners or would-be owners have an opportunity to network with government, education and non-profit agencies in Columbus on Feb. 18 at the Entrepreneurship Expo. Set to run 9-4 in the Atrium of the Ohio Statehouse, the day will include training sessions and one-on-one counseling with advisors from the Small Business Development Center. There is no cost, but you need to register: Entrepreneur Expo

New chamber member: Academy for Early Learning, 30 E. Main St., by Jessica Allen, 772-5437, charter school, www.aelchillicothe.org

Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor’s office:

• Eubanks Automotive Service, 4331 Rapid Forge Road, Bainbridge.
• Rachel Kendall, 34 E. Water St.
• Joann Knecht, 913 E. Main St.
• Chillicothe Mini Storage, 67 Enterprise Place, by Delong and Johnson Partnership.

 Area business workshops and seminars:

• 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
• Eureka! Profit 101: Thursday, Feb. 18, 12:30-4:30, OSU South Centers, Piketon; Learn methods, tactics and techniques for growing profits; presented by TechSolve and its partners; more information and registration: www.techsolve.org/events
• 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.