 | Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce Weekly Update
Mission statement: The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce promotes economic and community development by addressing issues important to business. | |
Volume 3, Issue 21 Friday, February 11, 2005 This Week's Sponsors
(Your ad here for just $30 per edition. Email us by clicking here.) Chamber Calendar Tuesday, Feb. 15: Pathfinders Leadership Steering Committee, 3:30 p.m., chamber. Wednesday, Feb. 16: New Awards Committee, 3:30 p.m., chamber. Thursday, Feb. 17: Annual Meeting with focus on economic development, 6 p.m. social hour, Horizon Technology Center, Ohio 104 north. Event is sold out. Tuesday, Feb. 22: Governmental Affairs Committee, 3:30 p.m., chamber Wednesday, Feb. 23: "How to Start Your Business" seminar, 9 a.m., chamber; registration necessary: call Christie Welch at 800-860-7232 or email her at welch.183@osu.edu. Wednesday, Feb. 23: Business After Business, at Herrnstein Chrysler co-sponsored by Classic Brands and Citizens National Bank, 5-7 p.m., BAB registration
Host a board meeting Want to promote your company's new product or service or just want to make decision-makers more aware of your accomplishments? Think about hosting a chamber board meeting. You'll get 15-20 minutes to talk about your firm to the 20 members of the board or maybe even give them a tour of your facilities. It's a great way to get more recognition. All for the cost of just buying them lunch. For details, call 702-2722.
You are receiving this newsletter as a benefit of your membership in the chamber. If you wish not to receive it, please reply to mjones@chillicotheohio.com and write "Unsubscribe" in the subject. | WILL YOUR BUSINESS BE BETTER OFF?: That's a question you're probably asking yourself after hearing Gov. Bob Taft's State of the State Address this week in which he outlined his initiative to drastically overhaul the tax structure in Ohio. In addition to a 21 percent cut in personal income tax rates (which quite a few small businesses pay), the governor is proposing cutting the corporate franchise tax and enacting a new tax that would be based on the gross sales receipts of a business, with the first $1 million being exempt. Some businesses would pay more in taxes, but fewer would be able to dodge taxes altogether. The idea is to make the state more competitive with its neighbors. As more details become available, we'll make them available through links to websites, such as the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. We also hope to have our local legislators in for a breakfast in a few months to hear directly from them and to give you a chance to let them know what you think.
1. Adopt a Can-Do Attitude 2. Shape Your Vision 3. Leverage Your Resources 4. Raise Up Strong Leaders 5. Encourage an Entrepreneurial Approach 6. Maintain Local Control 7. Build Your Brand 7.5 Embrace the Teeter-Totter Factor BAB A WEEK LATER THIS MONTH: So as not to be the day before the Annual Meeting, the February Business After Business will be one week later than normal on Feb. 23. Herrnstein Chrysler/Mitsubishi is the site for the 5-7 p.m. event with Classic Brands and Citizens National Bank as co-sponsors. Even though it's two weeks away, it's not too early to register to be there: BAB registration NEW ADA RULES COULD AFFECT ALL BUSINESSES: Requiring employee-only areas to be wheelchair accessible is one rule change being considered by the Department of Justice for the Americans with Disabilities Act that could affect many businesses. The rule would apply regardless of whether the public ever entered these areas and even if the firm had no employee with a disability. Another possible change for manufacturers would require shop and office floors not exceed a certain slope, that curbs have ramps and that a sufficient wheelchair turning radius exist in halls and on the shop floor. Businesses would have to retrofit their facilities to be compliant. The Department of Justice is seeking input on the proposed changes. The proposals are available at www.access-board.gov/ada-aba.htm. The Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration would like to know how these changes could affect your business and what the projected cost impacts could be. Contact Michael See at michael.see@sba.gov. CHAMBER SUPPORTS JEDD: An agreement that will bring sewer service to an area north of the city to lure new industry and business that could bring upwards of 1,500 new jobs is an example of two governments working together for the good of everyone in the county. The Joint Economic Development District agreement between Green Township and the city of Chillicothe has the full support of the chamber. The Board of Directors unanimously voted its endorsement in the January meeting. The pact gets a sewer line to the Herron property between U.S. 23 and Ohio 159 that's ripe for development while at the same time getting the township out from under a $250,000 burden and giving the city future income taxes from the jobs created there without having to annex. Green's trustees voted in favor of the agreement this week and City Council is expected to do the same Monday. NEWEST MEMBER: Susie Natoli State Farm Insurance has joined the chamber. Her office is at 20 Executive Center Drive, Suite D off Western Avenue. Her phone is 702-5909. MEMBER GETTING NEW OWNER: Columbus-based and chamber member WWHO, with ties to Chillicothe, is being sold by Viacom to Lin TV Corporation along with WNDY in Indianapolis for $85 million. Lin TV runs 23 TV stations in 13 cities, including the NBC station in Dayton.
SPECIAL FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS: Goody's Family Clothing in the Chillicothe Mall is inviting all chamber members and their families to Customer Appreciation Day on Sunday. The hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to Manager Vicky Bowen. VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:
HR GROUP PLANS MEMBERSHIP PARTY: The South Central Ohio Human Resource Council is inviting anyone interested in the HR field to its Membership Party and Leadership Program Thursday, April 24 at Horizon Technology. It will be 5-7 p.m. The group is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management. SALUTE TO VETERANS: The public is invited to visit and honor patients at the local VA Medical Center during National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week Feb. 13-19. The program was established 27 years ago and gives the public a chance to bring cheer to those at the center. If you're planning to visit, call the Voluntary Service Office at 772-7052 to make arrangements.
LAST CALL FOR TEEN NOMINATIONS: The deadline to submit a nominee for this year's Teen Character Awards of the YMCA of Ross County is fast approaching. You can do it online: YMCA of Ross County Teen Character nomination formONE MORE MONTH FOR OFFER: Advanced Services is offering $10 off on a service call or $100 off on a new system to chamber members through March 15. Call 773-4499 for details. TUITION ASSISTANCE OFFERED: For next fall's classes, four scholarships of $1,500 each are available at Southern Hills Academy for those unable to afford full tuition. They will be for children in kindergarten through Grade 8. Three informational meetings are scheduled with the first on Feb. 27. For more details, call the school at 779-3865.
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ANNUAL MEETING ALL SET: More than 230 will attend Thursday's sold-out Annual Meeting at Horizon Technology to hear about economic development, meet the chamber's new board members, learn of the 36 winners of the Pride Awards and to congratulate the newest Entrepreneur of the Year. Tickets were mailed Tuesday. For those of you attending, there will be seating at tables for those who sponsored one while chairs will be arranged around the room for all others. There will be no bad seat in the house, thanks to the projectors which will be used extensively. Make sure to buy your refreshment tickets ($2 for beer, $3 for a glass of wine, $10 for a bottle of wine and $1 for water and soft drinks) and your chances in the 25-25-50 raffle. We'll also be giving away a few copies of the book written by the evening's speaker, Jack Schultz. Festivities get under way at 6 with the networking while the program begins at 7. And to give you a taste of the speaker's topic, here in headline form are the 7.5 keys he feels lead to success in small-town economic development:
RECORD YEAR AND PROMOTIONS: Herrnstein Chrysler/Mitsubishi h
as announced two promotions along with the results of a record-breaking year. The dealership delivered 1,787 vehicles including 1,355 retail and 432 fleet and wholesale units, according to Bart Herrnstein. Total unit sales were 18 percent higher in 2004 than 2003, Herrnstein said. Mark Virgin (left), who's been with the firm nine years, has been promoted to director of pre-owned vehicles from sales manager. Chris Scott becomes director of new car operations. He's been with the company about 18 months and in auto sales for five years.
BLINDED TO IT ALL: Tamara Lowe, left, blindfolds Eric Stevens of Horizon Telcom during an exercise at the Pathfinders Leadership session. Wednesday was Arts, Religion and Diversity Day. As its community project, the class is planning to provide pet refuse collection centers along the city's floodwall bike path so owners won't need to go far to clean up after their pets. More information on how chamber members can become involved will be available soon.