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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.
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Volume 4, Issue 1 Friday, August 19, 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 Thursday, August 25: Board of Directors, noon, Huntington Bank Thursday, September 8: Ross County Safety Council picnic lunch, 11:30 a.m., Lions Shelter in Yoctangee Park, Safety Council registration Wednesday, September 14: Finance Committee, 4 p.m., chamber Thursday, September 15: Executive Committee, 8 a.m., chamber Wednesday, September 21: Business After Business, Atwood House Bed and Breakfast, 68 S. Paint St., co-sponsored by Caldwell Ott & Co., CPAs; 5-7 p.m. BAB registration Thursday, September 22: Annual chamber golf outing at Valley Vista Golf Course near Bainbridge, 9 a.m. shotgun start, $300 per team and $75 for individuals, sponsorships also sought, for more information: 2005 Golf Outing registration 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. |
IT WAS A RED RIBBON WEEK: The chamber's ceremonial scissors were put to the test this week with three members celebrating special events:
WHERE THE FUTURE LIES: According to new information from the Small Business Administration, 60 to 80 percent of all the new net jobs created in the United States were by small businesses. And from 2001 to 2002, firms with fewer than 20 employees increased employment by 853,074. Small businesses now represent 99.7 percent of all firms in the U.S., which is another reason the SBA is looking to redefine the term "small business" which now includes all those with fewer than 500 employees. In Ohio, the same study showed the number of women-owned businesses increased 12 percent from 1997 to 2002 and the number owned by minorities increased 10 percent. Check out the complete results: www.sba.gov/advo/research/profiles/. RECOGNIZED AGAIN: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centers was once again honored in two recent issues of Hispanic Business magazine. It was ranked 74th of the 100 fastest growing Hispanic-owned business in the U.S. and 443rd of the 500 largest Hispanic-owned businesses. Dr. Ramon Perez is president/CEO, Dr. David Bullard is president of the southern region and Chad Walters is senior vice president.
FLOWER POTS A HIT AT BAB: The 15 hand-painted flower pots of the Chillicothe Art League brought $2,185 at auction at Wednesday's Business After Business at the Majestic Theatre courtyard on Second Street. That was about $600 more than last year. About 175 attended the networking and fun event sponsored by the visitors bureau and chamber. Special thanks to the following for their products and services: Price Real Estate and Auction team (shown above), A Touch of Class Catering, Dock at Water, G&J Pepsi, Classic Brands, Majestic Theatre crew and the Chillicothe Social Society. Next month's BAB will be at the Atwood House Bed and Breakfast on South Paint Street on Sept. 21. It will be co-sponsored by Caldwell Ott and Co., CPAs. Check out photos from Wednesday's BAB: August BAB photo gallery MEMBERS DOING BUSINESS WITH MEMBER: Two weeks ago in the newsletter, we noted the improvements at two local pharmacies. Dan Marsh Architects played a key role in renovations at both Anderson's Drug Store and the Medicine Shoppe. NOW HAS LOCAL OFFICE: MacNelly Patrick and Associates is now Oak Hill Financial Insurance and Patrick Ball has offices at the Oak Hill Banks location on Stoneridge Drive at the corner of Western Avenue. His new phone is 772-4081. USEC ANNOUNCES CHANGES: Sandra Fout has been named engineering manager for the American Centrifuge program in Piketon and Toni Brooks assumes her former position as plant manager for the United States Enrichment Corporation. NEWEST DISCOUNT: Preston Auto Detailing and Accessories is offering chamber members several discounts: 10 percent off complete auto detailing, $10 off on window tinting, $20 off installation of XM radio and free installation of wheelchair lifts for vehicles. Call 775-5299 or visit 1999 Western Ave. to take advantage of the offers. Check out the more than 20 offers now available to chamber members only: Discounts for members. Also, Preston's is now the authorized dealer for Harmar Mobility Products which includes wheelchair lifts and ramps. NEWEST MEMBER: Adena Mansion and Gardens, the restored home of Thomas Worthington and one of the area's prime tourist attractions, is now a member of the chamber. Jane Rupp is site manager and can be reached at 772-1500 or jrupp@ohiohistory.org. The website: www.ohiohistory.org/places/adena/
NEW UNITED WAY DIRECTOR A VETERAN: Mary Elsass, a public relations expert most recently with Horizon PCS, has been hard at work the past few weeks in her new position as executive director of United Way of Ross County. Mary had been a volunteer for the agency for 16 years before replacing 21-year veteran Nancy Elliott who retired.
VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:
LOAN FAIR SCHEDULED: Oak Hill Banks Community Development Corp. is planning a Business Loan Fair in its Jackson office at 120 Twin Oaks Drive on Aug. 31 from 1-3 p.m. For qualified businesses, reduced interest loans are available for expansion, equipment, construction and buying new businesses. The fair is jointly sponsored by the SBA, Small Business Development Center and the Ohio Valley Regional Development Center. For more information: 740-288-9908 or cfreeman@oakhillbanks.com. FOR YOUR BUDGETING PURPOSES: The Kiplinger Letter predicts wages and salaries will rise 3.5 percent next year and that health insurance premiums will be about 8 percent higher. Gasoline costs are expected to rise 10-20 cents on average, but that's certainly anybody's guess at this point. LOOKING FOR SPONSORS: Rewarding students for good attendance records is the goal of two programs at Chillicothe High School which is looking for business sponsors to provide incentives such as coupons, gift certificates and other giveaways. The Performance Plus and 98% Attendance Club programs work to ensure students improve. If interested in helping, get in touch with CHS Assistant Principal Scott Lowe at slowe@mail.gsn.k12.oh.us or call the school at 702-2287. ANOTHER SCHOOL PROGRAM: CiCi's Pizza reminds schools and other large groups that it has coupon books to use as fundraisers. The books have a value of $30 and can be sold for $5. Contact a manager at the Bridge Street restaurant or call 775-8000 for details. NETWORKING DONE RIGHT: A tip from "28 Positive Networking Tips for Conferences": The Juggling Act: Juggling a plate of hors d'oeuvres and a drink while shaking hands and exchanging business cards is tricky stuff. Networking and eating are mutually exclusive activities, except when sitting down. Do one and then the other. For more tips: www.workthepond.com. STORYTELLING TICKETS AVAILABLE: The visitors bureau is selling tickets to the second Southern Ohio Storytelling Festival in town Sept. 9-10. Check out the details for this year's festival: http://www.sostoryfest.com.
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For previous editions, click here Copyright 2005 Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
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NEW
RETAIL OUTLET UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Hirsch Fruit Farm is building
its first retail store separate from the farm operations. The store
on Seney Road, just east of North Bridge Street, is being built by
AKM Building Services. It will feature all of the items sold at the
farm store on Ohio 772 south of town and it's expected to open in
mid September.
HEALTH
CARE STILL TOP ISSUE: In survey after survey, businesses cite
the rising cost of providing health insurance to employees as their
top issue. Rep. Bob Ney, left, touched upon the issue when he
addressed the chamber Legislative Luncheon a week back and the issue
was the topic du jour at a breakfast in Chillicothe this week
coordinated by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce in which local business
owners chatted with state Sen. John Carey. Health care/insurance is
expected to be a high priority item when the General Assembly
reconvenes this fall. According to the Kiplinger Letter, reinsurance
is in place in two states and being seriously considered in five
others. Reinsurance makes private insurance more affordable to
workers by providing insurance to insurance companies.