WELCOME CENTER BECOMING A REALITY: Come Spring, Chillicothe and Ross County will have a true Welcome Center downtown for tourists and visitors, bringing to conclusion a two-year project. The Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors voted unanimously this week to move the operations of the bureau into the new offices of the chamber at 45 E. Main St. The bureau is now just a few doors west of the chamber at 25 E. Main St. The move is expected by no later than April 1. "The Bureau is truly excited about the partnership with the Chamber, providing a one-stop shop for clients is what service is all about. We'll work more efficiently and effectively while serving our community," said Lissa Cleary, the bureau's executive director. “The missions of the chamber and the visitors bureau intertwine so much, that creating a Welcome Center made a lot of sense,” said Marvin Jones, executive director of the chamber. “It eliminates any confusion on the part of tourists or visitors as to where to seek information.” The move also allows for better use of the funds of both organizations. “By combining operational costs such as utilities, telephones, copy machines and the like, we’ll be able to devote more resources to our core missions – attracting more tourists, visitors and jobs for the community,” said Cleary and Jones.

RESERVATIONS GOING FAST: A new Entrepreneur of the Year will be named, businesses will be recognized for their investments in the community and the guest speaker will give us a few tips on how to bring more jobs to Chillicothe and Ross County. And the food will be fabulous! Shrimp cocktail, bruschetta topped with roasted tenderloin of beef and grilled Jamaican Jerk chicken skewers are just some of what Sean Immell will serve before the chamber's Annual Meeting gets under way on Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Horizon Technology Center. Jack Schultz will talk about his 7.5 steps that successful small towns use to lure big jobs. Space is limited this year and reservations are coming in at a good clip each day. So, if you haven't signed up, now is the time. Annual Meeting reservations Also, table sponsorships at $125 allow you to make an impression on the eight people who will be sitting at the table.

COORDINATED EFFORTS ON JOBS: It was apparent after this week's Economic Development Luncheon sponsored by the chamber that cooperation between the various agencies will make for better results. About 50 showed up to hear the latest from (pictured from left) MarJean Kennedy, Gov. Taft's regional representative for the Ohio Department of Development; Dona Smith, executive director of the Ross County CIC; Marvin Jones, executive director of the chamber; and Doug Corcoran, the city of Chillicothe economic development director. Each talked about how their organization was working to bring or keep jobs in the area as well as how they work together on projects.

GAS PROBLEM IS SOLVED: Impediments to new businesses receiving natural gas in Ross County are a thing of the past now that the pipeline north of town is connected to older ones, allowing for much better distribution and availability. Before, new businesses and current industry couldn't count on the gas always being available and at the pressure they needed. Don Russell, who headed a task force for the CIC to solve the problem, reported this week that work is 99 percent done and that gas should start flowing very soon if not already.

BIDDING ON STATE CONTRACTS EASIER: When state government contracts are available, you'll now be able to find out quickly by email or fax. The state is using the web-based DemandStar package, made by Seattle-based Onvia Inc., that notifies interested suppliers when a bid opportunity is available. Today, state employees must handle everything by hand and use the mail. Those wanting to sign up for notifications may call DemandStar at 800-331-5610.

AT THE TOP OF THE LIST: Petland Inc. is ranked No. 1 in the pet store category by Entrepreneur Magazine's 26th Annual Franchise 500. On the overall list, Petland, based right here in Chillicothe, ranked 248. Franchise Times magazine rated Petland 186 in its Top 200 franchisors. The company founded in 1967 now has 165 retail pet centers across the U.S. and in Canada, Japan, Chile and South Africa. "We welcome this prestigious recognition as it helps get the word out about our dynamic franchise opportunity," said Jim Whitman, franchise development coordinator.

CELEBRATING THE FAITH: Something is planned each day next week by Bishop Flaget in recognition of Catholic Schools Week Jan. 30-Feb. 4. Flaget is one of 8,000 Catholic schools in the nation and 57 in the Diocese of Columbus. Family Night is planned for Tuesday and a Student Talent Show is set for Thursday. For the full schedule, call the school at 774-2970 or visit www.bishopflaget.org.

FAREWELL AND GOOD LUCK: To Darla Mummey and Jean Balzer as they embark on new ventures after closing the First Capital Craft Mall Tuesday evening. After 10 years, the two decided to seek other interests.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: WWHO, the UPN station in Columbus that mentions Chillicothe as a home, will feature the area on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 7 a.m. in its "Spotlight" show. Appearing in interviews will be Jane Rupp, site manager at Adena State Memorial, Michael Trego, city schools superintendent, Jackie Doles of the Adena Recreational Trail and Marvin Jones of the chamber. It's part of the public service programming required of the station each year.

USEC GETTING CLOSER: The testing of a centrifuge machine in Tennessee this week moves USEC closer to begin operations later this year at the American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility in Piketon. It was the eighth milestone for USEC as it hopes to use the more efficient method for enriching uranium for use in nuclear power plants. Full-scale production is expected by 2010 at a plant that will employ about 500.

TRENDS DEVELOP FOR COMPLAINTS: Home remodeling contractors were No. 1 and roofing contractors No. 2 on the list of Top 10 Complaints received by the Central Ohio office of the Better Business Bureau. Mortgage/escrow companies, home builders and work at home schemes rounded out the top five. For more information, visit the website at www.centralohiobbb.org.

NEWS FROM MEMBERS:

• Richard Routt, a student in the Law Enforcement Technology program, is leading the new Campus Security team formed at Ohio University-Chillicothe. He is a graduate of the OU-C Southern Ohio Police Training Institute and is a Ross County sheriff's deputy.

• Lisa Bonner has been recognized as the top salesperson for MidOhio Mortgage Services -- for the seventh year in a row. She has been with the company for eight years. Norma Collins was named senior construction loan specialist.

• K&C Educational Associates has opened a Dyslexia Diagnostic Clinic. It has seminars for parents, teachers, reading and other professionals who want to help children and adults experience more success in school and life.

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

• Bill Pickerrell's Snow Removal, 1455 Polk Hollow Road.

• Jet Electric, 179 Wiley Road.

MORE CONFIDENT SPEAKERS: Ted Janusz (left) helped about 25 people become more confident speakers in this week's Workforce Academy. The seminar was held as part of the chamber's Workforce Development Program. A follow-up seminar will be scheduled in March as well as a repeat of the first one due to its popularity. Details will be available in about a week.