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Copyright
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
45 E. Main St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-702-2722
Task force getting to work
to help Mill’s Pride workers
By Marvin Jones
President and CEO
It’s probably a given that the numbers would have been worse had the chamber waited until this week to survey its members about the local and national economies. 
Still, without knowing that about 1,200 are about to lose their jobs at Mill’s Pride in Waverly by early next year, 53 percent answering the survey said the local economy is still going in the wrong direction.
More on the survey later. The news out of Pike County Tuesday morning is a real blow to the regional economy and is the reason the Ohio Department of Development is wasting no time trying to mitigate the situation. Lisa Patt-McDaniel, director of ODOD, led a meeting Thursday morning of local government, private sector and development agency folks who will be the ones helping the workers land on their feet as soon as possible.
McDaniel said 163 of the workers live in Ross County while 443 live in Pike, 310 in 
Scioto, 154 in Jackson, 54 in Adams and the rest in surrounding counties. As many as 200 temporary workers might not be included in the numbers.
The numbers also don’t include the employees of suppliers to the plant that makes ready-to-assemble cabinets. Masco, the Detroit-based parent of Mills Pride, said it plans to concentrate on making fully finished cabinets, such as KraftMaid, as the market for the Waverly products has declined in recent years.
McDaniel said a task force will begin work right away in at least three different areas:
- Help the workers by trying to match their skills for other jobs, provide funds to train them in another occupation and provide help with their benefits, such as health insurance.
- Determine the impact on the communities and look for ways to help mitigate that impact.
- Market the facility to another company that can best utilize its equipment, structures and workforce.
The task force will include many of those who attended Thursday and others who can provide expertise in the various areas. Elizabeth Scott, the governor’s local representative for ODOD, will be the point person. She can be reached at 775-0612 or at Elizabeth.scott@governor.ohio.gov.
Survey says: Health care impact still unknown
A little more than one-third of the 140 who answered the chamber’s most recent survey said they had no idea what effect the new health care reform law would have on their expenses. That answer garnered the most responses while 40 percent said it would add somewhat or greatly to their expenses.
Some of the comments:
- “I am afraid it may put me out of business.”
- “I’m still hoping that this will help me find affordable health care for my employees.”
- “I am really concerned with where government is going with their involvement/relationship with business/free enterprise.”
- “It will be a disaster for business.”
As to how the respondents are doing themselves: 77 percent said they are doing the same or better than a year ago; 56 percent had the same number of employees as a year ago, 17 percent had more and 27 percent fewer employees.
While 53 percent felt the local economy was headed in the wrong direction, the number jumped to 60 percent when asked about the national economy.
When asked what issues they felt would negatively affect their business going forward, government (federal, state and local) laws, regulations and interference set the tone.
Check out all the results, including the 48 comments on health care reform and 84 on the other issues: Chamber member survey
Key intersection set to be realigned well before holidays
A meeting is set for Monday by the Ohio Department of Transportation District 9 officials with the contractors awarded the job to realign North Plaza Boulevard with the exit ramp off U.S. 35 at Bridge Street. Construction should begin next month and, most importantly, is expected to be done well in advance of the crucial holiday shopping season.
James Brushart, District 9 deputy director, and his key managers outlined the various projects in the eight counties at a meeting near Piketon Thursday afternoon. Ross County is in line for $4.9 million in road and bridge improvements this construction season along with the $10 million widening of Ohio 104 north that started last year and is scheduled for completion in November.
The realignment of the Bridge Street intersection is expected to help alleviate congestion that is especially heinous during the November-December Christmas shopping season. One of the three traffic signals will be gone. On a normal day, about 43,000 vehicles pass by there; no number for the peak days. Construction will move the BP station to the north toward Ponderosa and bring North Plaza closer to Roosters and directly across from the exit ramp.
The city has been working with ODOT for years to make this happen. The total cost is estimated at $617,000 with completion by the end of September. Other major projects slated this year for Ross County:
- Western Avenue (U.S. 50): Resurfacing from Limestone Boulevard to High Street, plus signal upgrading and signage; start in July and end in November; $823,548.
- Ohio 138 resurfacing: For 6.9 miles between Austin Road to the Pickaway County line; completed by November; $696,054.
- North Bridge Street: Preventative maintenance from Marietta Road to Kenworth Drive; start in June, done by November; $835,000.
- U.S. 35 resurfacing: 4.4 miles from the Fayette County line to Ohio 138 exit ramp; start in July and end in October; $1.5 million.
Boy Scouts invading Ross County this weekend
The Ross County Fairgrounds plays host to more than 7,000 Boy Scouts starting today and winding up on Sunday. It’s part of the Centennial of Scouting celebration, according to Kyrsten Vogel of the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau whose office helped make arrangements for the contingent.
Activities planned include shooting sports, archery, climbing walls, a military fly-over, fireworks and a concert featuring country music’s Eli Young Band. The public is invited to check out the programs with a day pass costing $25.
The county’s Good Samaratin Network also benefits as each scout is to bring one non-perishable food item to help stock the pantry. For more information: Boy Scout gathering.
Foursomes now welcome for chamber’s golf outing
The chamber’s annual golf outing is set for Friday, June 18 at the Jaycees Public Golf Course on Pleasant Valley Road. The event features skill and door prizes, a skins game and other activities along with refreshments, food and a steak dinner following play. Tee and green sponsorships also are available for $50. The entry fee for foursomes is $300, but singles also may register for $75 and we’ll pair you with others. Sign up now: Chamber golf outing
More news to note:
- Penny Pelikan Dehner is the new assistant executive director of the ADAMH board. She has been with the organization for several years and succeeds Juni Frey who became the executive director earlier this year.
- USEC President and CEO John Welch told shareholders this week the approximately two dozen centrifuge machines in the testing program have operated well since March. That bodes well for USEC obtaining the $2 billion loan guarantee it needs from the federal government to complete construction and get into full commercial operation.
- An update on the American Centrifuge Plant is on the agenda also for the INsider OUTlook Breakfast May 12 of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio. Other updates planned are on the local SCORE organization, the work share legislation and reports from the partnering bodies. The event runs 7:30-9 a.m. at the Chillicothe Country Club and is free, but registration is required. Call 702-2722 or email rdaughters@chillicotheohio.com.
- Chamber members get a discount when buying 20 or more tickets for Clear Channel’s John Berry acoustic guitar concert on Friday, May 14 at the Majestic Theatre. Reserve tickets by calling 773-3000.
- As noted in the banner above, the Chillicothe Farmers Market kicks off its ninth year Saturday with some new vendors joining veterans in the parking lot of the Ross County Service Center from 8 to noon.
Newest chamber member:
- DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen of Chillicothe, 20 Executive Center Drive, Suite D, by Tod Combs, 773-7550, www.dreammaker-remodel.com
Chamber members mark milestones
Gerlach, Lear & Associates christened its new offices in Chillicothe with a ribbon cutting. Susan Lear (with scissors) and employees celebrate the opening on the third floor of the Foulke Block on South Paint Street. The firm helps employers with employee assistance programs, counseling and other services.
Randy Rush (right) is joined by his son Ryan and Jaimie Howard in turning the dirt for the new home of Kendall Home Care on Western Avenue at Star Drive, across from Dakota’s Roadhouse. Sunrush Construction is the contractor and hopes to have Kendall in its new home by early August.