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 3, Issue 41

Friday, July 15, 2005

This Week's Sponsors

(Your ad here for just $30 per edition. Email us by clicking here.)

What's happening in Ross County this weekend, this month, this year? Click here.

Chamber Calendar

Wednesday, July 20: Business After Business, Chillicothe Jaycees, at the golf course on Pleasant Valley Road, co-sponsored by Kerr Wholesale; scramble nine-hole golf outing free to the first 26 teams that register by calling 775-7659;other festivities 5-7 p.m.; BAB registration

Thursday, July 28: Board of Directors, noon, Ross County Service Center.

Note: There will be no Networking Luncheons or safety luncheons in July or August. Both will resume in September.

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.

NEY TO ADDRESS LUNCHEON: Rep. Bob Ney will talk about upcoming issues in Congress (Social Security, Supreme Court nominees, energy policy, etc.) when he addresses the chamber's Legislative Luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 9 at the Christopher Conference Center. More information and registration forms will be out shortly, but make sure to reserve the date now.

BAB IS NEXT WEDNESDAY: The Chillicothe Jaycees will have the golf course, shelter and band all ready for Wednesday's Business After Business at the course on Pleasant Valley Road. For those who plan to participate in the pre-BAB nine-hole golf outing, the shotgun start is at 3. Other festivities begin at 5 in and around the shelter. Make sure to register if you plan to attend: BAB registration

IT'S NOT ALL DRY READING: For numbers people, the annual reports of the city and county auditors are like best-selling novels that keep you entranced for hours. But they are more than that for those seeking to get a handle on trends of the local economy. Here's some gems from the county Auditor Steve Neal's report recently released:

• After a downturn in 2003, retail sales in Ross County were up a healthy 6.2 percent in 2004. This continues to show the area as a regional shopping hub.
• The true value of taxable property in Ross County has increased 53 percent in 10 years to slightly more than $3 billion. This includes real estate, personal property and public utility property. Unfortunately, the value of the latter two categories declined in 2004.
• The four largest property tax payers in the county in 2004 were MeadWestvaco (now NewPage), American Electric Power, Horizon Telcom and Paccar (Kenworth).
• The county's bonded debt amounts to $134.24 for each person living here.

NEWEST MEMBERS: Here's who's joined the chamber recently:

• First National Bank of Waverly, 107 N. Market St., Waverly, 740-947-7711.
• A Touch of Class Catering, 285 W. Water St. (former St. Peter's School), by Brian Curtis, 773-0636; www.touchofclasscatering.com.

MORE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS: The member-to-member discount program of the chamber continues to grow. Go to the Discount Page to learn of all the deals now available. Here are a few more places where you can save some dollars:

• The Cellar Room Gift Shop at High and Water streets is offering 15 percent off merchandise. www.cellarroom.com
• R&D Powerwash and Home Detail is giving a 20 percent discount to all members.
• Picture This will take 20 percent off all corporate custom framing orders. www.picture-this-gallery.com

GROUP HOPES TO MAKE COMMUNITY SAFER: The Southern Ohio Crimestoppers organization is beyond the formation stage and is now preparing to help put more criminals behind bars. Part of the national group, the local organization is seeking to get the word out on its program and to get more sponsors and donors. The program allows people to call one number and provide information that could lead to the arrest, indictment and conviction of criminals -- and it all can be done anonymously. Rewards are offered in most cases. Information on the local group is at www.southernohiocrimestoppers.com or by calling 773-5069.

COMPANY'S COMING: Here's who's planning visits to the area in the near future, according to the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau:

• 44 tour bus operators as part of a familiarization tour in hopes they will book tours with their customers later. They'll be here Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week.
• On July 28-29, about 50 members of a Baptist Church in Louisville are visiting.
• Approximately 100 members of the Blue Star Mothers group will conduct their annual state convention here July 29-August 4.

ITEMS FROM MEMBERS: Here are some things our members wanted you to know about:

• CiCi's Pizza is making available to area students free book covers to keep them protected throughout the year. Any student can pick them up during the first two weeks of school at the restaurant in Zane Plaza on North Bridge Street. Also, CiCi's has several ways schools can raise some funds during the school year for computers, supplies and other items.
• Pioneer School is sponsoring a Yard Sale Aug. 2-4 at the gym to benefit the levy fund. Information about the sale or donations of items is available at 773-8044.
• "Boogie at the Boulevard" is scheduled for Saturday, July 23 at The Boulevard Salon and Day Spa off Western Avenue across from Dakota's Roadhouse. Haircuts will be available 5-7 p.m. with a $10 donation that will go to the Scioto Township Fire Department; J.T. and Creekside perform starting at 8; a hog roast and refreshments will be available; and a raffle will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
• The Gift Post at Main and Brownell streets is collecting items to be sent to Cpt. H.R. Grimm, a local minister serving in Iraq, who will distribute them to military serving in the area. Sought: wet wipes, Zip-Lock baggies, multivitamins, toothbrushes and toothpaste and beef jerky. The store is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

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

• Dirt-N-Chrome, 1914 Oak Lane, Kingston, by Craig Conrad.
• Interior Alternatives by Crystal, 396 Church St., by Crystal Detty.
• Bamboo Art, 37 S. Paint St., Gilda Wahid.

For previous editions, click here

Copyright 2005

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Did your firm win an award? Promote someone? Get it in the newsletter by clicking here.