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Copyright

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

Chamber working for its members

since 1888 Board of Trade days

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

While it’s been two weeks since about 265 of us celebrated all things chamber at the Annual Dinner, it might be good to remind those who were there and share with those who couldn’t make it a recap of the highlights for the organization in 2009 and what we’re doing already this year to help build the community. Here are the remarks I delivered that evening:

Another reason I think “We’ve got it made in Chillicothe and Ross County” (the theme of the evening) is that six score and two years ago, the business leaders of the city got together in a room in the Probate Court offices in the courthouse at Paint and Main streets and “signed an agreement to become members of a Board of Trade to be organized for the mutual benefit of Chillicothe business interests.”

That was on February 22, 1888, almost exactly 122 years ago. In 1912, this group decided to change the name of the organization to chamber of commerce. So, here we are today, getting close to our 125th anniversary and still going strong with 626 companies and organizations working for the mutual benefit of business in not only Chillicothe, but Ross County, Ohio and the nation.

In 2009, your chamber early on addressed the employee free choice unionization act with a seminar and we ended the year by being a resource for all your questions on the health care reform debate in Washington.

In between, we twice addressed the issue of the courts moving into the former AEP building, we took the local branch of the SCORE organization helping budding businesses to chapter status. We remodeled to add a conference room that accommodates more people and is a resource being used by many of our members.

We are part of the group that will finalize this spring the first overhaul in 35 years the city’s antiquated zoning and planning laws. We were a big part of the formation of the Adena Mansion and Gardens Society that took over management of one of our key tourist attractions.

We also built upon the programs and other benefits that make your chamber one that continues to address issues important to business. We published 45 newsletters in 2009 with information and links to help you run your organization.

Our Ross County Safety Council continues to help make local workplaces safer than ever. The leadership Chillicothe Ross program graduates 10 new leaders in May.

Our workforce development partnership with the Ross County Department of Job and Family Services is stronger with the Job Bank website, one of the most popular in the county. Our expertise helps companies find the right employees and utilize the various grant programs.

We get phone calls daily from people wanting products and services and we refer them only to your businesses. They go to our website and search for chamber members because they know chamber members have a credibility like no others.

Despite an economy that was less than robust, 2009 remained a time of progress for our county and region. In June, a partnership of international companies, including USEC, announced plans to build a nuclear power plant near Piketon. Adena Health System made substantial progress on its $45 million northeast expansion in addition to other advances like the electronic medical record.

Two new multimillion dollar housing complexes within a couple miles of each other blossomed near Clinton Road. Carl Janes and family built a new Corner Market on the site of his first store on Charleston Pike. Traditions of Chillicothe started work on offices and a new adult day care center. The downtown saw $1 million in renovations spread across about 40 different properties. 

The VA Medical Center started on $2 million of renovations, part of the $8 million total it is getting from the federal stimulus program. Ohio 104 in about six or seven months will be five lanes wide from the city limits to the Ohio 207 extension. The city’s $3 million transit facility should open by late spring. The bike bridge over High Street was dedicated. Horizon Chillicothe Telephone pushed its fiber optic network to where it’s within 3,500 feet of any business in the county.

As we salute our manufacturing sector tonight, we have some work ahead. Glatfelter needs renewed and unfettered access to international markets, specifically Mexico, for its carbonless paper. USEC can complete its American Centrifuge Plant and put hundreds more people to work with a loan guarantee from the federal government. Kenworth can better manage its operations and provide workers with a paycheck in down times with the new work share legislation. InfoSight needs to be assured its patented products aren’t going to be stolen by foreign companies.

It was a busy year in 2009 despite a lousy economy. And, with a recovery seemingly in sight, the prospects for an even better 2010 loom large. The pent-up demand of business we hope will be unleashed, meaning more investment and, certainly, more jobs. Your chamber will be working for you to see that we take full advantage of every opportunity. Thank you for your continued support.

New downtown restaurant on the way

Lisa Fox, operator of the former Mona Lisa’s Restaurant, is renovating the space next to the city Administration Building at 31 S. Paint St. for a new restaurant, the Thirsty Fox. Plans submitted call for occupancy of about 50 with a dining area in the front and a bar in the rear. No word on an opening date.

Goodwill set to host BAB on St. Patty’s Day

The workshop off East Second Street of Goodwill Industries of South Central Ohio is the site for Wednesday’s Business After Business as we get a chance to help the organization celebrate its 50^th anniversary. The staff plans to have music and appetizers available before handing out some door prizes. Parking is available near the entrance next to the railroad tracks on Second Street. It’s a good opportunity to share in the agency’s success of meeting its mission “of improving the quality of life and employment opportunities for people with disabilities and disadvantages.” Click here to register: BAB reservations

USEC, union reach labor pact; personnel changes noted

A majority of the 495 members of the United Steel Workers Local Union 689 voted in favor of a new five-year contract with USEC this week, almost two months ahead of the expiration date on the current contract. “This is a positive step forward for both the union and for the United States Enrichment Corporation as we look ahead to providing quality work at the Piketon site,” said Bobby Graff, president of the local. Mark Keef, the new general manager of USEC’s Government Services division, said, “This contract cements a strong workforce that will be flexible and innovative as we face an increasingly competitive environment and the changes ahead.”

The division also noted several personnel additions lately:

• Damon Detillion is now director of business and program management for USEC’s contract work with the U.S. Department of Energy. He has been at the Piketon plant in various positions for 30 years.
• Jack Williams is the marketing and customer relations specialist. He has been there seven years, the last five as manager of public affairs.
• Justin Clark is project coordinator. He has been with USEC since 2007.

Unemployment rates soar in January

Figures from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for January can’t be sugar-coated. The jobless rates for Ross and all of its contiguous counties hit new highs, with Highland’s perilously close to the 20 percent mark. Here are the figures, compared to the same time a year ago:

More news and dates of notes:

• The chamber’s Annual Golf Outing is set for Friday, June 18 at the Jaycees Public Golf Course. Mark your calendars and look for more information as the date approaches.
• There’s still time to reserve space at the annual Job Fair and Expo. More than 60 organizations already plan to exhibit at the event on Tuesday, March 23 at Shoemaker Center at OU-C. Register here: Job Fair/Expo
• Celebrate the Ross County Farm Bureau’s annual National Agriculture Day on Thursday (March 18) with its pancake breakfast from 7-10 at the Ross County Service Center. It’s only $1.
• Pioneer Center is sponsoring a Provider Fair on Thursday 4:30-7 at the Ross County Service Center on Western Avenue. Parents and guardians of people with developmental disabilities get a chance to learn more about resources available in the community from 22 providers.
• The U.S. Department of Labor offers its information seminar on topics such as OSHA, family medical leave, ADA, minimum wage, etc. on Wednesday, April 7 at the Endeavor Center near Piketon. The cost is $25 and it runs 8:30-3. Call Joy Bauman at 800-860-7232 Ext. 111 to register.
• If you had layoffs in the last four years and paid Social Security taxes on the severance pay, you may be entitled to a refund, thanks to a ruling by a court recently. Check with your HR department or accountant.

Newest members of the chamber:

• South Central Manufacturing Network, based in Chillicothe, serving manufacturers in the region, 772-0861.
• Celebrations Etc., 49 N. Paint St., by Samantha Rearley, 772-1216, catering, event planning, party supplies.
• Elite Quality Construction, 30 E. Main St., by Rob Collins, fence and general contracting, 253-2265.

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

• Buckeye Metal Sales, 406 Jamison Road, warehouse addition, value $60,000.
• AKM Building Systems, 211 Hopetown Road, temporary electrical service.
• Uhrig Veterinarian, 1246 Western Ave., alterations, no value given.
• Kenworth Truck Company, 65 Kenworth Drive, two permits, install power panel and mezzanine renovations, $75,000.
• Island Spice Café, 402 Chamber Drive, alterations, no value given.
• Delores Miller, 515 Woods Lane, electrical upgrade, $2,500.
• Roger and Catherine McWhorter, 56 W. Water St., signage, no value given.
• RLMF Inc. (Frisch’s), 831 N. Bridge St., alterations, $16,000.
• VP Chester Properties, 261 N. Woodbridge Ave., alterations, $25,000.
• Dane and Jodie Straub, 94 E. Water St. (Old Canal Smoke House), electrical, $5,495.
• Chillicothe Metropolitan Housing, 178 W. Fourth St., electrical, $81,000.
• Chillicothe Metropolitan Housing, 1001 Sherman Park, electrical, $15,000.
• James and Jeanna Phillips, 102 Pawnee Road, signage, $400.
• Lisa Fox, 31 S. Paint St., alterations, $35,000.
• Diane Cary, 245 N. Woodbridge Ave., signage, $5,000.
• Masonic Temple Association, 59 E. Main St., fire protection, $3,000.

Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:

• King’s Custom Car Care, 3842 Hallsville Pike, by Brent and Rosalie King.
• Invizible Oz, 1695 Blain Highway.
• Cook’s Auto, 2150 Stone Road, by John Cook.

Reminder: Time change Sunday. Spring ahead one hour.