 | 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 25 Friday, March 11, 2005 This Week's Sponsors
(Your ad here for just $30 per edition. Email us by clicking here.) Chamber Calendar Monday, March 14: Chamber Executive Committee, 8 a.m., chamber. Tuesday, March 15: Pathfinders Leadership Steering Committee, 3:30 p.m., chamber Wednesday, March 16: "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, March 16: Business After Business, Goodwill Industries of South Central Ohio, East Main Street, 5-7 p.m. BAB registration Tuesday, March 22: Ross County Safety Council Steering Committee, 8:30 a.m., chamber Tuesday, March 22: Meeting of business community concerning Chillicothe City Schools operating levy on May 3 ballot, 5:30 p.m., CHS Alumni Library, Yoctangee Parkway. Thursday, March 24: Board of Directors, noon, WIN office, East Second Street. Friday, March 25: Good Friday, office closed. Wednesday, March 30: "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. Friday, April 8: Legislative Luncheon with Sen. John Carey and Reps. John Schlichter and Clyde Evans on proposed tax reforms, 11:30 a.m., Chillicothe Country Club, Legislative Luncheon Registration
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ORANGE BARREL TIME AGAIN: While the temperature outside hasn't been cooperating, it is time for the highway construction season. And at least two major projects have started and a third is not far behind.
TAFT PLAN MOVING FORWARD: From all indications, the budget and tax reform plan proposed by Gov. Bob Taft is moving forward through the General Assembly with few indications there will be major changes. This package would drastically change the tax structure for businesses, especially the proposed commercial activity or gross receipts tax on all sales above $1 million. Grocers and larger retail store owners feel they'll be hit the hardest. The package also calls for a 50 percent reduction in the local government fund in which counties, cities, villages and townships have come to depend for essential services. The school funding formula would be changed to send more money to the poorer districts. Personal income tax rates would be reduced 21 percent. You can have a chance to learn first-hand how our local lawmakers plan to vote at the chamber's Legislative Luncheon on April 8. It starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Chillicothe Country Club and will feature state Sen. John Carey and state Reps. John Schlichter and Clyde Evans. The cost is $20. But make sure to register: Legislative Luncheon Registration SCHOOL LEVY CAN USE THE HELP OF BUSINESS: Because good schools always are a hallmark of a great community, the business sector has a vital stake in ensuring we have good schools. The proposed levy on the May 3 ballot is extremely important for city schools and businesses can help by attending a meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22. It will be in the Alumni Library at Chillicothe High School on Yoctangee Parkway. Levy campaign organizers and Superintendent Michael Trego will be on hand to discuss ways in which businesses can help. There is no pre-registration. LOAN PROGRAM HELPS GROW JOBS: Area businesses with definite plans to expand and add jobs in the near future might benefit from the New Markets Loan Program being administered by the Oak Hill Banks Community Development Corp. The firm has been allocated $20 million to provide loans to qualified businesses. Some of the available features of the loans are lower origination fees, longer-than-normal amortization periods and below market interest rates. To qualify, businesses must meet certain criteria, such as being in an enterprise or SBA-designated HUB zone or be in areas of low income. To learn about the program and to see if your business might qualify, get in touch with Connie Freeman at 740-288-9908 or cfreeman@oakhillbanks.com.
CHANCE TO CHECK OUT SERVICES: Putting people with disabilities to work has been the mission of Goodwill Industries for decades and Wednesday, chamber members and their guests will get a chance to check out the facilities at the Business after Business. The event runs 5-7 p.m. Parking will be from East Second Street near the railroad tracks. Goodwill's new workshop just to the west also will be open for visitors. Make sure to sign up: BAB registration DISASTER LOAN HELP ALSO AVAILABLE: The Small Business Administration is going to be in Yellowbud for one more week to take applications from businesses that suffered damage in the December 23 ice storm and flooding early this year. Loans at 4 percent interest for businesses and 2.9 for homes are possible. The office is at 599 Yellowbud Road and closes next Friday. There is no phone number for contact information. SPONSORS SOUGHT: For just $25, your business can help budding writers. About 175 students in in grades 7 and 8 from 26 schools in 10 counties will participate March 19 at Unioto Junior High in the annual Power of the Pen contest. Winners go on to the state competition. Sponsors will be mentioned in programs and recognized in other ways. To participate, call Dianna McFadden at the school at 773-5211. NEW MEMBER: Joining the chamber recently was Buckeye Pro Lawn, 248 Zickafoose Lane, by Andy Bower. He can be reached at 772-6937 or gobucks@horizonview.net.
JUST A FEW SPOTS LEFT: The Junior Civic League has only a few spots left on its Chillicothe-opoly board game and plans to close sales on Monday. Call 703-8740. THE CHANGING WORKFORCE: Matthew Hess, author of "HR and the Changing Management Paradigm", will speak at the Thursday meeting of the South Central Ohio Human Resource Council. The meeting runs 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Kenworth. If you're planning to attend, email Cheryl Barlage, cbarlage@paccar.com. WOMEN'S EXPO TUESDAY: A presentation on Ross County women in history, a fashion show and refreshments will be available at Tuesday's Women's Business Expo at Horizon Technology. It's the second year the Business Professional Women have sponsored the event to showcase local women in business. Admission is $1 and it runs 5-7:30 p.m. VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:
PITCH MADE FOR PLANT: According to Business First of Columbus, Rickenbacker International Airport is making a bid for a plant to be built by Airbus to convert commercial jetliners into air refueling tankers. The European company needs a site with a runway, easy access to rail lines and highways and 500 acres of vacant land, all of which Rickenbacker has. The plant would employ 1,150.
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NEW HOME FOR VISITORS BUREAU: The official move was made Friday of the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau into the new Welcome Center owned by the chamber at 45 E. Main St. And just as the move was completed, so was installation of the awning proclaiming the new address. Now visitors, tourists and business people seeking information about our community need go to only one place. The chamber and bureau will be able to share services such as a copier, conference room, utilities, rent and other items which allows more resources to go toward core missions: attracting tourists and groups to our community as well as new business and industry as well as providing vital services for chamber members. Also in the Welcome Center is the Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation. 
THEATER MAKING PROGRESS: The 12-screen, stadium seating-style theater being built by DanBarry Cinemas of Cincinnati continues to go up behind the Zane Square Shopping Mall. When completed, it will be another reason Chillicothe remains a destination for leisure activities for all counties in the region. 
PIONEER WINS AWARD: Pioneer Center's Community Information Specialist Dottie Fay and Superintendent Rick Marriott were delighted winners of an Award of Merit from Ohio Public Images which recognizes efforts to create awareness of people with developmental disabilities. Pioneer won for its successful efforts in last November MRDD levy campaign.
PATHFINDER PROJECT NEEDS SPONSORS: In an effort to make the hiking and biking path along the city floodwall as clean as possible, dog waste receptacles will be placed by this year's class of the chamber's Pathfinders Leadership program. The number of receptacles will depend on the number of sponsors. Each business sponsoring one will have a sign attached to it. Those interested should contact the class at