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Weekly Update begins fifth year! In August 2002, your chamber was looking for ways to communicate quickly, more often and provide more information for you, its members. Weekly Update was born and the original thought was to publish it on an occasional basis. Lo and behold, the very next week another edition was published, then another one a week later and on and on. Today, Weekly Update is a staple of the chamber and results from a recent survey tell us you consider it one of the main benefits of your membership. So, here's to our fourth anniversary and to your support. | ||
 | 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 5, Issue 1 Friday, August 25, 2006 This Week's Sponsors
Click here to see the visitors' bureau calendar of local events Chamber Calendar Friday, August 25: Accurate Heating and Cooling ribbon cutting at new headquarters on U.S. 23 at River Road, 5 p.m. Monday, September 4: Office closed for Labor Day Wednesday, September 6: Membership Luncheon sponsored by Horizon Chillicothe Telephone; speaker Bob Eichenberg, Athens County Planner and part owner of Eclipse Company Town, 11:30 a.m., Chillicothe Country Club. Membership Luncheon reservation Thursday, September 14: Sam's Club ribbon cutting, 1270 N. Bridge St., 9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 14: Young Professionals Network, guest speaker Councilman Eric Rinehart on issues facing City Council; 5:30-7 p.m., Chillicothe Country Club, $5, YPN reservations Saturday, September 16: J.N.O.D. Apparel ribbon cutting, 59 E. Main St., noon. Tuesday, September 19: A Reception with the Candidates, 7-8:30 p.m., Ross County Service Center. Wednesday, September 20: Business After Business at Best Western Adena Inn, co-sponsored by Sam's Club, 5-7 p.m., BAB registration 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.
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Economic development requires attention to detail Ready-to-go land, a quality and quantifiable workforce and a top-notch website equal a good position in economic development. Speakers at a special workshop of the national convention of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) in Cleveland last week drove home the importance of these three factors in attracting new industry and business. The good news for our area is that all three are being developed or improved to give our region a better shot at retaining the jobs we have and finding more jobs for those who need it. Here are a few of the highlights from the session: Workforce: Let the world know what you have and be specific about it. If 1,000 qualified people apply for 50 jobs at a specific local industry, note it. If you have 1,000 people in a database who’ve proven passed skills tests, note it. If there’s a layoff, advertise the number of people now available to do specific jobs. Ready-to-go land: Chillicothe Mayor Joe Sulzer told radio listeners the city and county engineers are in the process of identifying large land tracts that could be used for large industrial projects. The owners would need to sign option agreements to sell at a certain price if a buyer came calling. Fayette County was in the hunt for the new Honda plant because it had these options. Top-notch website: The new www.chillicothe-ross.com site for economic development is a great start on having a top-notch site. More information needs – and will be – added to make it more of an asset, but that’s happening through the chamber and Chris Manegold of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio. Also, advertising in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and other national publications is of little value and carries a high price tag. Site selectors go to the website first.
The X Factor: Small
communities have a tough time competing for these new plants, the experts
said, but when it comes time to make a decision, the charm factor of the
town can be a deciding factor. KITCHEN COLLECTION ACQUIRES FIRM: Le Gourmet Chef and its 77 stores are being acquired by Kitchen Collection which has its world headquarters here in Chillicothe. "This is a great complement to our current business," said Randy Gawalek, president and CEO of Kitchen Collection. The New Jersey-based Le Gourmet Chef filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this month. It has 53 stores in factory outlet malls and 24 in traditional malls, selling gourmet foods, cookware, bakeware and home entertainment products. YOU LIKE YOUR CHAMBER, YOU REALLY DO: One hundred twelve of you will remember completing about a month ago a survey asking about your satisfaction with 10 aspects of this chamber. Those answers, revealed at the ACCE convention, became part of more than 12,000 received from members of 199 other chambers across the country. The composite satisfaction score for your chamber was the second highest in the nation! Your were particularly pleased with the chamber as an advocate, for its physical facilities and for its management (both board and staff). You also said economic and workforce development was the top issue facing this chamber, that networking opportunities were what you valued most and that we should continue to improve our efforts in economic and workforce development. The chamber in Bonita Springs in Florida was the only one ahead of us. For more information on the survey: Chamber survey. TACO BELL COMING TO WESTERN: The CL Companies of Westerville will demolish the former Johnny's Restaurant on Western Avenue and construct a new Taco Bell, according to plans submitted to the Chillicothe Building Department. The plans calls for 2,800 square foot building on the lot. Also expect to see some activity at the KFC at Western and Plyley's, including some landscaping and a possible addition.
DEDICATION MARKS NEW ERA: Plenty of students, parents, former students, former board members as well as other officials were on hand last Sunday for the dedication ceremony and tours of the new Chillicothe High School. Sparkling clean classrooms, wide hallways, a gymnasium with great sound and lighting systems all were part of the renovation and construction. A similar ceremony will be held next year when the middle school portion is completed and the schools have the most up-to-date facilities in the area. BIKE TRAIL ENTHUSIASTS TARGET FOR LUNCHEON: Bob Eichenberg, who has developed a commercial venture next to the biking and hiking trails in Athens County, will talk about that venture at the next Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, September 6 at the Chillicothe Country Club. Horizon Chillicothe Telephone is sponsoring the event and President Bill McKell will detail some of the new offerings of the firm. It's also a great way to network with other members. Sign up now: Membership Luncheon reservation UNITED WAY, SCHOOLS PARTNERING: With help from a federal "learn-and-serve" grant, the United Way of Ross County is teaming with Chillicothe City Schools to teach the value of volunteerism. A kickoff was held at CHS Thursday as each grade will have a United Way agency assigned to it. The students also will be learning about the various agencies in the area. NAME CHANGED TO REFLECT THE MISSION: The chamber's Community Development and Advocacy Committee will include the work of the former Governmental Affairs Committee, but also tackle more issues in the coming months. The name change, approved by the board Thursday, also is in line with the mission of the chamber which is to tackle those issues important to the community as a whole and not just business. The Candidates Reception on Tuesday, September 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Ross County Service Center is under the auspices of the committee. MAKE AN IMPACT WITH GOLFERS: While you might not be a golfer, you can leave a lasting impression at the chamber's Annual Outing on Thursday, September 28 by providing a promotional item of your company that will be included in a gift bag given to each participant. Paper pads, pens, clips and other items are encouraged. You'll need to drop off about 100 to the chamber office by September 25. We're also accepting larger items that can be used for skill or door prizes. And for golfers, teams are still being formed for the outing at Crown Hill Golf Club. Make sure to sign up: Golf outing reservations CHANGES MADE TO JOB BANK: Recent changes to the chamber’s classified-style website create a more user-friendly format for job-seekers as well as becoming more beneficial for employers. Each category has been given its own page, which makes it easy to find the most current jobs in each category and also to navigate between categories. Local State Farm Agent Herbie Strange had this to say about his experience with Job Bank: “Your website was great. It was very easy to post a listing and the response was greater than (some other traditional methods). I will definitely use this resource in the future as my first option.” SURVEY SEEKS INPUT ON JOBS ONE-STOP: A survey to assess the local labor market and the role of the JOBS One-Stop is being conducted in collaboration with the chamber. Employers also are invited to a luncheon Wednesday, September 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to discuss ways to improve the Jobs One-Stop. To reserve a spot, call Carolyn Dunn at 772-7590 or email her at dunnc@odjfs.state.oh.us. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at the following link. Workforce Survey YPN TO HEAR ABOUT CITY GOVERNMENT: The next Young Professionals Network session on Thursday, September 14 will include a presentation by City Councilman Eric Rinehart on current council topics and informing attendees of how that level of our local government operates. The cost is $5, payable at the door, which will cover appetizers. A cash bar will be available. Get your business recognized by donating a door prize for the meeting! Send an email to cporter@chillicotheohio.com if you are interested. We hope to see you there and don’t forget your business cards! Click here to Register for the September YPN Meeting
SAFETY YEAR KICKS OFF WITH A PICNIC: The new year for the Ross County Safety Council begins September 14 with a cook-out in Yoctangee Park starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Lions shelterhouse near the bridge. Council membership is now at 105, thanks in part to the continued premium discount program offered by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The deadline for new members to join and be eligible for the discount is September 30. Register for the luncheon or apply online: Ross County Safety Council. CENTER RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD: Chillicothe Nursing and Rehabilitation was one of only 91 long-term care facilities in 28 states to earn the American Health Care Association Step 1 Quality Award this year. The criteria for the award is modeled after the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. A ceremony for the award winners will be held in October at the national convention. KENWORTH GETS TOP RATING: The trucks rolling off the assembly line at the Chillicothe plant of the Kenworth Truck Company are ranked the highest in quality for the second straight year by J.D. Power.
LEADERSHIP CLASS NOW CLOSED: All positions in the next Leadership Chillicothe Ross class starting in September have been filled. This will be the largest class in recent memory at 22. Sessions begin with a two-day orientation on September 13 at InfoSight. Classes meet the second Wednesday of each month through May. DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR MOVIE-GOERS: Bargain Box Office on Western Avenue is offering a $1 discount to all chamber members during September. When you get to the theater, just let them know you are a chamber member and they will apply the discount. INDIA PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY: A one-day conference in Cincinnati on September 14 will detail how your firm can do business with firms in India. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce, FedEx and Xavier University. The cost is $50 and includes lunch and parking at the Cintas Center. For more information, go to www.buyusa.gov/greatlakes/india.html. CLUB FUNDS SCHOLARSHIPS: Carl's Townhouse Manager Mike Bruce was the winner of the two season tickets to OSU football games in the raffle held by the OSU Ross Alumni Club recently. Huntington Bank Manager Delbert Bochard won the tickets to the Bowling Green game and Frank Hirsch of Hirsch Fruit Farm sold the most tickets at 106. Proceeds go to fund scholarships for Ross County students at OSU. NEW MAGAZINE STARTING AD SALES: Connections, Southern Ohio will center content on business, education, economic development and quality of life when it debuts in January. At least 10,000 copies will be distributed to businesses, city and county offices and high-traffic areas. Incite Marketing Solutions is the publisher with advertising sales being handled by Heidi Robson (703-7746) and J.L. Hilles (703-5464). YOUR CHAMBER TRULY IS A RESOURCE: Last week we received a call from a person coming to town to spend the night and she wanted to know where the best place in town was to get eggs as she had to eat eggs everyday! Of course, she was referred only to chamber members who serve eggs. NEWEST MEMBERS: Joining the chamber recently:
BUILDING PERMITS: Here’s who’s received commercial permits recently from the Chillicothe and Ross County Building Departments:
VENDORS LICENSES: Here’s who received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:
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For previous editions, click here Copyright 2006 Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
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FLOWER POTS A HIT AT BAB: The Chillicothe Art League benefited again
this year from the auction of the decorated flower pots at the August
Business After Business hosted by the Majestic Performing Arts Center on
East Second Street. The recent fire and demolition work didn't deter the
crowd anxious to get a shot at one of the pots. The September 20 BAB is set
for Best Western Adena Inn on North Bridge Street which is co-sponsored by
its next-door neighbor, Sam's Club. Check here for photos from last week's
event: 
USEC HELPS LIBRARY: The Chillicothe and Ross County Library's Jennifer
Thompson accepted a check for $500 recently from Angie Duduit of USEC to
show its support of the expansion project on South Paint Street.