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 45

Friday, July 28, 2006

This Week's Sponsors

Click here to reach the 575-plus members of the chamber or the 165,000 viewers of the chamber's website each year.

Click here to see the visitors' bureau calendar of local events

Chamber Calendar

Monday, July 31: Ribbon cutting at Bainbridge IGA on U.S. 50, 1 p.m.

Tuesday, August 1: Ribbon cutting at Robin Fowler State Farm Insurance, 45 W. Second St., 3 p.m.

Wednesday, August 2: Membership Luncheon sponsored by Rathkamp Financial; speaker Roger Crago, superintendent of Chillicothe City Schools, 11:30 a.m., Chillicothe Country Club. Membership Luncheon reservation

Wednesday, August 16: Business After Business, tentatively set for the Majestic Theatre courtyard, 5-7 p.m. BAB registration.

Wednesday, August 30: Kay Frances presents "Laugh ... Just for the Health of It" at the Workforce Academy; noon-2 p.m., Ross County Service Center, lunch included, $5; Workforce Academy registration

Tuesday, September 19: A Reception with the Candidates, 7-8:30 p.m., Ross County Service Center.

Thursday, September 28: Annual Chamber Golf Outing, Crown Hill Golf Course near Williamsport, Golf outing reservations

Wednesday, November 15: Chamber Annual Expo, Elks Hall on West Second Street, details coming in August; this also serves as the Business After Business.

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.

Signs of major economic progress

abound in Ross County lately

This past week was one of those you want to let the rest of the world know about in terms of real progress being made in the county. Consider:

• The Kenworth Truck Company announces plans to build a new conference and training facility on its grounds north of the city. The $15 million investment won't necessarily mean new jobs, but it certainly means the company continues its commitment to the community and positions itself for future growth. Dealers from across the country will be coming to Chillicothe for training and spending dollars while they are here. Despite the 10-year, 60 percent abatement on property taxes, Kenworth will pay $62,000 more a year in taxes of which $37,499 goes to Zane Trace schools, $3,079 to the vocational school, $6,642 more to Green Township and $14,741 more to the county's general fund. This is on top of the current construction which expands the plant itself.
• Herrnstein's breaks ground on its new Hyundai dealership off U.S. 23 north near the new Ohio 207 extension. The 12,000 square foot building and 13-acre site will mean 20-30 new jobs for the community and provide space for potential future expansion. A grand opening is being planned for around February, if all goes well.
• Christopher Manegold already has met with many of the community's leaders and investors in the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio in his first week as the first chief executive officer of the group. He is the one now leading the push to create 1,500 quality jobs in Ross County by the end of 2010. The chamber is providing support in the way of space, services and personnel. Chris can be reached at the Alliance phone number at 772-5100 or by email at cmanegold@chillicotheohio.com.

AND MORE ACTIVITY NEXT WEEK: Two new enterprises also are celebrating with ribbon cuttings early next week. Terry DeGarmo's Bainbridge IGA has been opened a couple weeks, but a grand opening ribbon cutting is set for 1 p.m. Monday at the store on U.S. 50 on the eastern edge of the village. On Tuesday at 3 p.m., Robin Fowler cuts the ribbon on her State Farm Insurance agency at 45 W. Second St., the site of the agency of the late Jon Shope. All chamber members are invited to congratulate them at the ceremonies.

SCHOOL PREPARES TO OPEN: The "new" Chillicothe High School opens in late August with new classrooms, new laboratories and a new freshman class. Superintendent Roger Crago will talk to those attending Wednesday's Membership Luncheon about the changes and other progress being made in the city system. Reservations are still being taken for the 11:30 a.m. event, sponsored this month by Rathkamp Financial Services. Membership Luncheon reservation

MAJESTIC HOSTING SUMMER'S LAST FIRST THURSDAY EVENT: Despite the fire in the box office to the west, the courtyard area next to the Majestic Performing Arts Center will be the site for the August First Thursday event of the First Capital Rotary Club which features a "Taste of Chillicothe" as appetizers from several restaurants in town will be served. Hours are 5-8 p.m. and admission is $5.

BIG DAY AT THE MANSION: Pioneer Day at the Adena Mansion and Gardens Saturday features open hearth cooking, dyeing, spinning and other demonstrations. Activities are planned all day on the grounds and in the museum and education center from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WOMEN'S GROUPS TARGET OF MEETING: The local chapter of the American Association of University Women encourages representatives of other women's group to attend a meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the North Side Library on Buckeye Street. The purpose is to talk about building membership in all organizations and learn how to become more involved in political issues that affect women. For more information, contact Mary Kay Clipner at 775-3504.

BUILDING PERMITS: Here's who's been issued commercial building permits recently from the Chillicothe and Ross County Building Departments:

• Maple Grove Christian Church, 1054 Maple Grove Road, new shelter house, value $6,000.
• Herrnstein Chrysler, River Road, new showroom, no value given.
• Ross County Banking Center, 222 E. Main St., heating and air conditioning, $2,400.
• WRH Company, 291 S. McArthur St., demolition of shed, $100.
• Chillicothe Fitness and Racquet Club, 1245 Western Ave., heating and air conditioning, $4,800.
• Kithippe Property Management, 631 E. Main St., service upgrade, $2,000.
• Seventh Day Adventist Church, 510 Metzger Ave., demolition, $15,000.
• Homeland Credit Union, 22 Consumer Drive, heating and air conditioning, $5,100.
• Kroger's, 887 N. Bridge St., hood suppresion, $450.
• Kevin Ross, 105 S. Paint St., install fence, $2,000.
• Steve Brown, 76 E. Second St., roofing, $6,000.

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

• American Home Center, 5565 U.S. 23 south.
• Ross Outdoors, 94 Page Road, by Mark Wiley.
• Ambiance & More, 19099 U.S. 50, by Seeds of Sound.
• C&M Computer Services, 547 Plyley's Lane, by Daniel Scurlock.

RAFFLE BENEFITS SCHOLARSHIP FUND: For $25 you get a chance to win either two complete season tickets for all Ohio State University home football games this year or two tickets to the OSU-Bowling Green game on Oct. 2. The raffle by the Ross County OSU Alumni Club benefits the club's scholarship fund which paid out more than $5,000 last year. A maximum 300 tickets will be sold with the winners drawn on Aug. 22. Contact a club member or Nelson Coleman at 775-1387 to participate.

LEAGUE TAKING APPLICATIONS: The Junior Civic League Tuesday starts taking applications for projects to be funded from funds from the annual Christmas Gala set for Nov. 11 at the Chillicothe Country Club. Only non-profits are eligible to apply. Applications are available at both Ross County libraries, Clear Channel radio stations and E.M. Smith Jewelers on North Bridge Street. The deadline to apply is Sept. 1.

For previous editions, click here

Copyright 2006

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Did you know your chamber membership entitles you to:

An automatic and free membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce? The vast majority of our members qualify for the U.S. chamber benefit as a small business. And you need do nothing to get the benefit as your local chamber takes care of all the paperwork.