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Copyright

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

Attractions and events pump up

the local economy every year

By Marvin Jones

President and CEO

The local tourism season kicks into high gear now, what with all schools closing their doors and parents anxious to keep their kids busy for the long summer haul. As always, plenty of activities abound.

The Chillicothe Paints began their 18^th season Thursday at VA Memorial Stadium.

 “Tecumseh!” starts next Friday with a book-signing set for Saturday, June 12 with Allan Eckert whose “The Frontiersman” was the impetus for the outdoor drama on Sugarloaf Mountain. He’ll be available during the intermission.

Adena Mansion and Gardens Society is operating the restored home of Thomas Worthington and has several activities planned for the summer, including a Pioneer Encampment June 19-20.

The state parks will see an increase in campers, swimmers and hikers. The Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball gala is moving to the high school parking lot this year in July and then the biggest attraction of all, the Ross County Fair has its run Aug. 7-14.

The tourism industry is responsible for hundreds of jobs directly in this county and many others indirectly as well as for pumping thousands of dollars into the economy in the way of taxes. The exact impact will be known shortly when the latest study is released later this month.

In the meantime, it’s time to begin enjoying the season following a rugged winter.

Glatfelter to get executive change

George H. Glatfelter II is retiring Dec. 31 as CEO of the company bearing his name, paving the way for Chief Operating Officer Dante Parrini to take over on Jan. 1. Glatfelter was the keynote speaker at the 2009 chamber Annual Dinner. He is the fifth generation of his family to lead the company.

He has been CEO since 1998 and became chairman of the board in 2000. Glatfelter, 58, will remain on the board for a brief transitional period until a new chairman is elected. Parrini joins the board effective immediately.

“Over the 12 years, we have made significant progress in repositioning our company to benefit our shareholders by creating a dynamic market-facing business model based on nimbleness, innovation, global reach and solid execution,” Glatfelter said.

Parrini, 45, noted the achievements of Glatfelter, including the acquisition of the Chillicothe operations several years back. He also looked forward: “As I look to the future, I am committed to accelerating our progress in our specialization, globalization and continuous improvement initiatives. I believe all three of our business units have the ability to continue to gain market share and increase their specialization focus.”

Check out the complete company statement: Glatfelter retirement

Several firms looking at Mill’s Pride acquisition

Apparently there is interest on the part of several companies and/or investors in Masco’s Mill’s Pride cabinet-making operation in Waverly and Pike County. The owners announced they plan to close the facilities in early 2011, potentially putting 1,400 people out of work.

Elizabeth Scott, the regional representative for Gov. Ted Strickland, told the Portsmouth Daily Times “it looks like steps in a positive direction that they are taking a buyer seriously.”

A transition center to help workers and their families is expected to open in the Pike County YMCA across from the plant later this month.

Allen staff prepare for The Leader in Me

Teachers and other staff at Allen Elementary School take the first steps next week to implementing The Leader in Me” program with the new school year in August. A consultant from the FranklinCovey organization will lead the group through what’s known as a visioning process to prepare them for further training. Allen was the only school to respond to the chamber’s recent offer to implement the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” as a way of teaching children how to be responsible for themselves, how to respect others, how to solve problems and how to take care of themselves. The chamber is raising the funds to provide for the training and materials.

Workshop tips could free money for operations

Improving your internal cash flow can free money for other uses and make your business stronger. The chamber and SCORE Chapter 696 are offering a free one-hour workshop Thursday (June 10) morning to show you how to make a few adjustments that could yield big returns. Jim Zins, from Focus Business Solutions, is the presenter. Space is limited to the first 25 who register. The chamber conference room opens at 8 and the workshops starts at 8:30. Register here: Cash flow workshop

Golf outing only two weeks away

Carts are still open for participants in the chamber’s Annual Golf Outing Friday, June 17 at the Jaycees golf Course. We’re also looking for promotional items to fill our goodie bags for each golfer and for use as skill or door prizes. Coupons, memo pads, pens, coffee and travel mugs all go well with the golfers. For more details: Golf outing

More news to note:

• The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Entrepreneurship and Technology Center at Ohio University-Chillicothe is set for Monday, June 28 at 2:30 off Pohlman Road.
• A traffic signal on Ohio 104 at Moundsville Road will go from flashing to full operation later this month. The signal is part of the 104 widening project and for the new entrance to the Chillicothe Correctional Institution. Later, another signal will go at Gateway Drive with the newly re-routed Pleasant Valley Road.
• Mears Photography unveils its “Faces of Survivors” exhibit June 8 at the Pump House Center for the Arts. The portrait study is of 25 cancer survivors from the Southern Ohio Survivors group.

Foreclosure rate moderating

In the last two months, the rate of foreclosure filings dropped 14 percent from a year ago, according to figures from Ross County Clerk of Courts Ty Hinton’s website. April and May saw 67 filings against 78 in the same months in 2009. On the year, the rate is down 13 percent with 188 filings this year vs. 217 a year ago.

Newest member of the chamber:

• Women’s Core Fitness, 97 e. Second St., by Jennifer Blake, women’s fitness facility, 701-1975, www.mycorefitnessnow.com

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

• Chillicothe Mall Inc., 1077 N. Bridge St., for the new Lone Star Steakhouse between Red Lobster and Long John Silvers, value $1.25 million.
• N/AREDD, 106 McArthur St., roofing, $20,000.
• Harold and Barbara Webb, 75 E. Second St., HVAC, $2,200.
• Lawrence and Sandra Endicott, 52 E. Second St., electrical, $500.
• Claire Fried, 86 N. Mulberry St., alterations, $60,000.
• Herrnstein Properties, 133 Marietta Road, signs, $4,300.
• Chillicothe Freewill Baptist Church, 651 Ervin Ave., HVAC, $12,000.
• Ross County Board of Commissioners, 182 Cattail Road, alterations, $20,000.
• Horizon CTC, 3107 County Road 550, install cable power supply, $6,000.
• RK Rush Enterprises, 24 Star Drive, new office building (Kendall Home Care), $510,000.
• ODOT, electric for traffic signals on Ohio 104, $20,000.
• Clary Trucking, 303 Chamber Drive, electrical, $200.
• Walnut Creek Campground, 2432 Walnut Creek Road, electrical, $500.
• Rozelle Creek Market, 4152 Rozelle Creek Road, signs, no value given.
• Carolyn Alley, 855 Kight St., electrical, $4,530.
• Jeff Dickey, 11016 5^th St., Clarksburg, electrical, $3,500.

Vendors licenses issued recently by the Ross County Auditor:

• Folkification Inspirations, 186 Gerber Ave., by Mandy Thompson.
• Lisa Clary, 31597 U.S. 50 East.
• Tech Force, 131-B E. Main St., Bainbridge, by Martin Strawser.
• Old Thyme Flowers, 12 N. Main St., Frankfort, by Wilma Ward.
• The Shed, 989 Main St., Richmond Dale, by Christina and James Adams.
  Walnut Creek Campground, 2342 Walnut Creek Road.