Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update

www.chillicotheohio.com

Mission statement: The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce promotes economic and community development by addressing issues important to business.

 Volume 4, Issue 21

Friday, January 13, 2006

This Week's Sponsors

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Chamber Calendar

Tuesday, January 17: Leadership Chillicothe Ross Steering Committee, 3:30 p.m., chamber

Wednesday, January 18: Business After Business, ProScan Imaging, North Bridge Street, across from Tumbleweed, 5-7 p.m. BAB registration

Thursday, January 19: Chamber Executive Committee, 8 a.m., chamber

Wednesday, January 25: Networking Luncheon featuring Linda Woggon, vice president of governmental affairs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m., Chillicothe Country Club, Networking Luncheon registration

Thursday, January 26: Chamber Board of Directors, noon, Citizens National Bank.

Wednesday, February 22: Annual Dinner featuring Steven S. Little, the "Business Growth Expert," 6 p.m., Shoemaker Center, Ohio University-Chillicothe, 2006 Annual Dinner reservations.

Thursday, February 23: Grow Your Business seminar by Steven S. Little, Bennett Hall, Ohio University-Chillicothe, Steven S. Little Business Growth Seminar.

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WHAT SHOULD THE COMMUNITY LOOK LIKE 5-15 YEARS FROM NOW?: That’s a question the chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee is beginning to ask as it continues its exploration into the planning processes of Chillicothe and Ross County. This week, Karl Runser (shown in photo) and Robin Stewart from the Voinovich Center for Learning and Public Affairs at Ohio University in Athens talked about some of the projects in which they have been involved and queried committee members about the community. Last month, City Engineer Tom Day and Keith Putnam of the county Planning Department were guests of the committee. Runser and Stewart will report back to the committee with their thoughts on how the center might help move the issue forward. The committee was recently expanded and welcomes others who would like to become involved.

THE BILLS HAVE BEEN SENT— PART 1: By now, all members of the chamber should have received their 2006 dues invoice either by regular mail or in the form of a PDF attachment in an email. The latter is a new process we're trying to expedite payments and save on postage. If you have not received your invoice, please give the chamber a call at 702-2722.

THE BILLS HAVE BEEN SENT – PART 2: The first half real estate property tax bills went in the mail Wednesday, according to county Treasurer Jerry Byers. As we noted more than a month ago, businesses will notice at least a 10 percent increase from last year as the state’s rollback was eliminated, meaning businesses will pay the tax directly rather than the state reimbursing counties. For business and residential property owners in the city school district, which extends to the Massieville area, there is an additional 15 percent increase for the building project at the high school that was approved by voters more than a year ago. Deadline to pay: Feb. 10.

SAFETY FROM THE TOP: Adena Health System CEO Mark Shuter and Ross County Health Commissioner Dr. Timothy Angel addressed the approximately 155 in attendance at this week's luncheon of the Ross County Safety Council. The event at the Chillicothe Country Club was the mandatory CEO-event in which the top managers of the members attended to remain eligible for the 4 percent premium discount incentive program of the Bureau of Workers Compensation.

BAB NEXT WEEK AT PROSCAN: Good food and networking opportunities, as usual, are on tap for the next Business After Business. ProScan Imaging on North Bridge Street (across from Tumbleweed) is hosting its first BAB that runs 5-7 p.m. Wednesday. It’s a chance to check out its open-air MRI and other medical equipment. Make sure to register: BAB registration

RESTAURANT NEWS: Some news to report on several fronts:

• Grinders Coffee and Café at 85 N. Paint St., is now offering internet surfing and email checking with that latte. Customers can take advantage of the wireless hot spot on their laptops while enjoying breakfast, lunch or a refreshment. Also, to learn in advance the cafe's daily specials, sign up to receive a daily email by contacting grinders@horizonview.net.

• Speakers at meetings at the Chillicothe Country Club as well as members can enjoy the same wireless internet access. Just bring your laptop, clear a space and surf away.

• Blue Gill’s is open again for business. Sean Immell is serving lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday at the restaurant on North Bridge Street just north of Shawnee Lanes. An expanded menu is part of the plans. Sean also continues as the chef at the country club.

• Portabellas remains for sale. Buyers are still being sought for the eatery in the O’Dell Building on North Paint Street.

LAW AND ORDERLY GOVERNMENT UPCLOSE: Ross County Auditor Steve Neal gave the Leadership Chillicothe Ross class a lesson in county government this week as the class filled the seats in the jury box of common pleas court. The remainder of the courthouse, the law complex, jail and city government offices also were on the itinerary for the class which also learned about how to manage and deal with change. Next month, diversity is the topic.

CAREER CENTER GETS HEALTH GRANT: More local employees for the health-care field should be the end result of a program at the Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center which is receiving a $225,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development. The center was one of three to receive the grant which is part of the state’s Career Pathways Initiative designed to train low-income Ohioans for careers in the health-care field.

NEWEST MEMBER: Heidi Garrett is the owner/agent for the Brooke Insurance Agency at 203 N. Bridge St. The phone is 779-3126 www.brookeagency.com/HeidiGarrett.

FORMER CHILLICOTHEAN PLANS ‘HOG’ HEAVEN: Bob Althoff recently told Columbus Business First newspaper of his plans to build a new Harley-Davidson dealership and recreation center in Delaware County this year. He currently has the A.D. Farrow dealership in Columbus on West Broad Street. The plans include the dealership, a site for apparel and riding gear and a training program in addition to a place to hold picnics and gatherings near an 8-acre lake. The site is off Interstate 71 at U.S. Routes 36-37.

LET’S PLAY TWO: While Thursday’s weather conjured images of baseball, it wasn’t possible at VA Memorial Stadium, home of our Chillicothe Paints. The heavy machinery is on the base paths, the dugouts have been reduced to dust and other construction is under way to make room for the new artificial turf that will stretch from the backstop to the wall in centerfield and every place in between. In fact, the only dirt to be found on the new field will be the pitcher’s mound, according to John Wend of the Paints. All should be ready when the Paints open the season at home against the Washington Wild Things on May 24.

VENDORS LICENSES: Here’s who’s received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:

• Nails USA, 25 N. Bridge St., Suite A

• Body Bliss, 41 S. Paint St., by Stephanie Bost.

• Mike’s Appliance, 5881 U.S. 23, by John Quthael.

• Cade’s Creations, 167 Whaley Place, by Michael Cade.

• IMA Tooler Leather, 435 Tong Hollow Road, by Connie Bethel.

• Just Saunas, 9056 Blain Highway, by Chris Oyer.

• Game Xpress, 750 Western Ave. Suite C, by Matthew and Erica Hawk.

• John Warth’s Studios, 345 Little Creek Road, by John Warth.

• I Wish I Was, 543 Northwoods Drive, by Michelle and Dirk Long.

• Robert Pritchard, 1655 N. Bridge St.

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Copyright 2006

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

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