Chamber Weekly Update for September 30, 2005

		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 7 Friday, September 30, 2005 This Week's Sponsors 779-1764 (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 Saturday, October 1: Ribbon cutting at Herbie Strange State Farm Insurance, 232 N. Plaza Blvd., 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday, October 6-7: Board of Directors planning retreat, Deer Creek Resort, ends noon on Oct. 7. Wednesday, October 12: Nominating Committee, 4:30 p.m., chamber. Thursday, October 13: Ross County Safety Council luncheon, Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation librarian on resources available and distribution of rebate checks on incentives; Chillicothe Country Club, 11:30 a.m., Safety Council luncheon registration Friday, October 14: Networking Committee, Horizon, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 18: Ross County Safety Council Steering Committee, 8:30 a.m., chamber. Tuesday, October 18: Pathfinders Leadership Steering Committee, 3:30 p.m., chamber. Wednesday, October 19: Business After Business, Southeastern Business College, 5-7 p.m., BAB registration Thursday, October 20: Executive Committee, 8 a.m., chamber Wednesday, November 16: Chamber Business Expo sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Best Western Adena Inn, 5-7 p.m.; more details to come on reserving space. 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.		TOURISM BIG INDUSTRY, GETTING BIGGER: The latest figures on the impact of tourism on the local economy continue to demonstrate its importance. The 2004 study by Longwoods International released to the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau show travelers spent $163.6 million in the county, a jump of nearly 12 percent from 2003 when the community celebrated Ohio's bicentennial. Food and restaurant sales accounted for 34 percent of travelers' sales followed by retail/other at 25 percent, gasoline and transportation 19%, recreation 16 percent and lodging 6 percent. Since 2000, the increase in sales is an astounding 71 percent. Other findings show total direct and indirect impacts: 4,400 are employed as a result of the travel tourism industry in the county. Wages generated by those employees equaled $85.8 million. Sales by travelers and the wages generated $13.8 million in state taxes and $8.8 million in local tax revenue. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE KICKS OFF: Monday is the official start for the chamber's annual membership drive, but current members can begin lining up their own prospects to take advantage of the $25 "finder's fee." During the campaign, information will be mailed to selected prospects to be followed by personal visits or phone calls from members of the Board of Directors and Networking Committee. Those who join during the campaign, which ends Oct. 14, will receive a travel coffee mug, a free ticket to the 2006 Annual Dinner, a $10 Certificheck and free dues with payment of six months toward 2006. Current members receive $25 for each new member they bring to the chamber. Applications are available online. BOARD WEIGHS IN ON ELECTION ISSUES: The chamber's Board of Directors Thursday voted to accept the recommendations of the Governmental Affairs Committee on two local and three state issues on the ballot in the Nov. 8 election. Here are the positions of the committee and board: Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center 1-mill continuous operating levy: The board supports this issue. Western Avenue rezoning referendum: The board urges a "Yes" vote which upholds the rezoning approval of the city Planning Commission and City Council. State Issue 1: Allows the state to issue bonds to help local governments with infrastructure projects, help finance research and development projects and help local governments improve and develop sites for economic development (such as industrial parks): The board supports this issue. The Ohio chamber also supports this issue. State Issue 2: Allows any person to cast an absentee ballot without giving a reason: The board voted not take a position since it does not affect business directly. The Ohio chamber also is not issuing an opinion. State Issue 3: Revises limits on political contributions and establishes some prohibitions on contributions: The board oppose this issue. The Ohio chamber also opposes this issue. State Issue 4: Creates a commission to redraw political boundaries for state and national offices: The board voted not take a position since it does not affect business directly. The Ohio chamber also is not issuing an opinion. State Issue 5: Creates a board to administer elections, eliminating the secretary of state’s responsibilities: The board opposes this issue. The Ohio chamber is not taking a position on this issue. SAFETY PAYS OFF -- ALWAYS: Safe workplaces are the goal of all conscientious businesses and industries and the main reason there are now more than 85 members of the Ross County Safety Council. Come Thursday, 47 members will receive checks totaling $63,287 for taking part in the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation safety council incentive program. The checks are being handed out at the council's regular luncheon Thursday at the Chillicothe Country Club. The amount is a rebate of 2 percent of the businesses' workers comp premiums. The incentive doubles to 4 percent in this next fiscal year, but companies must be signed up by 4 p.m. today. To take part or to register to attend Thursday's luncheon call the chamber or click here: Ross County Safety Council AND SPEAKING OF VISITORS: About 200 campers are expected to take up residence Monday through Thursday at the fairgrounds for the Travel Supreme Owners convention. All of the campers are valued at not less than $200,000. YOUR BUSINESS CAN ADOPT A HURRICANE-STRICKEN BUSINESS: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a website and provided resources to make it possible for our members to adopt a similar business that is reeling from the effects of the Gulf Coast hurricanes. To register for the program and to review potential adoptees, go to http://exchange.aidmatrix.org/uschamberbusiness. Also, the www.Jobs4Recovery.com site of the U.S. chamber's Center for Corporate Citizenship and IBM is a one-stop shop to link job-seekers from the hurricane-hot areas with employment opportunities. Now, you have two avenues in which to provide help. Students at Bishop Flaget collected $3,100 for victims the past few weeks. ACTIVE WEEKENDS: This weekend and next brim with entertainment possibilities locally that are sponsored in whole or part by chamber members. This weekend are the Pure Prairie League concerts at OU-C both Friday and Saturday nights and the Chillicothe Social Society's Chili-Fest Cookoff and Charity Cornhole Tournament Saturday afternoon on Second Street near the Majestic Theatre. Next Saturday are the Police Athletic League benefit for the new Child Development and Family Service Center at OU-C and the Jammin" Again concerts at the Majestic Theatre. To learn all the details, visit the calendar maintained by the visitors bureau that is a link each week in this newsletter and on the chamber's homepage: Community events calendar JOINS DISCOUNT PROGRAM: Mary Kay Clipner is offering a 15 percent discount to chamber members who order any of the 30 products from her Tastefully Simple Gourmet Foods collection. Call her at 775-3504. More than 20 members are now offering discounts to other members: Discounts for members NELSON HOMES WINS AWARD: To recognize its innovative use of technology, Construtech Magazine awarded Nelson Homes its 2005 Vision Award. The company integrated two software applications to improve flexibility, efficiency and cost savings. Estimating time was shaved 50 percent. Nelson is co-sponsoring the Fall Home Show Oct. 7-9 at the Columbus Convention Center in which attendees have a chance to win a new Nelson home to be built in the Apple Valley area in Knox County. SEMINARS SCHEDULED: Oak Hill Banks Community Development Corp. is co-sponsoring two business seminars in October. Starting your own business is the topic for the first on Oct. 5 in Athens while effective business management is the topic for the second one Oct. 19 at OU-C. More information is available by contacting Connie Freeman: 740-288-9908 or cfreeman@oakhillbanks.com. VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor: Aquasource 1, 505 E. Seventh St. Chilli Tees & Totes, 599 Marietta Road, by Elizabeth Meade. Tony's Auto Sales, 7559 Dry Run Road, by Anthony McQuay Jr. National Safety Sound, 750 Western Ave.
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.