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
Volume 4, Issue 9
Friday, October 20, 2006
This week's sponsors:
Community Events Calendar
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.
For previous editions, click here
Copyright 2006
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
Government edition
Latest statistics show
some surprising trends
When comparing data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau on private business in Ross County from 2004 (the latest available) and 2002, some surprises stand out. Most notable is a 5.5 percent increase in the number of manufacturing jobs while the number of manufacturing firms declined by 10 or 21.7 percent. Also surprising was a decline of more than 1,000 jobs (21.2 percent) in health care and social assistance. Other findings:
- The largest percentage increase in jobs was in transportation and warehousing at 82.2 percent followed by arts, entertainment and recreation at 25.4 percent and professional, scientific and technical services at 24.6 percent.
- The number of jobs related to management of companies and enterprises fell by 226, or 43.4 percent. Wholesale trade jobs also fell by 208 or 18.3 percent.
- The largest increase in types of business came in finance and insurance at 10 (13.3 percent) while the largest percentage increase was in transportation and warehousing at 17.5 percent.
COUNTY SALES TAX TREND: THERE ISN'T ONE: Ross County Auditor Steve Neal reports that the latest figures he's received from the state show the county's collections have increased 2.11 percent, or about $191,000 total this year, but that includes a drop of more than $51,000 in what was collected in July. Neal said motor vehicle sales tax was down $66,000 that month which means other retail sales were up considerably to offset that loss. Some of that tax goes toward the courthouse renovation where workers peeled the clock faces from the tower on Wednesday.
SBA RE-LAUNCHES WEBSITE: If you're looking for information on federal taxes, workplace safety, environmental requirements and just about any other regulation, your first stop should be www.business.gov. It is a new gateway to the federal government's programs that is user-friendly and could keep you from waiting forever on reaching the right person by phone on a question.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT LOCAL SITES EITHER: Both the city of Chillicothe and Ross County government have websites where you can pick up valuable information and forms. Their homepages are: http://ci.chillicothe.oh.us and http://www.co.ross.oh.us.
BAB WAS A GROUP EFFORT: Those who got to Wednesday's Business After Business at the new headquarters of Samuel Stephen College got a chance to participate in the photo shoot for the cover of next year's chamber directory. They also got a chance to win one of the many door prizes handed out by the college and co-sponsor Chillicothe Animal Clinic. Theresa Hall of Coldwell Banker was one of the lucky winners of a planted mum. Check out the group photo and about 20 more: BAB photo gallery.
RACING FANS FLOCKING TO THE CITY THIS WEEKEND: KC Raceway has built a great reputation in the last few years on the short-track circuit and it will be enhanced even further this weekend when it hosts the 26th Annual Dirt Track World Championship. Local motels are reporting high occupancy as fans and participants pour into the area. The winner of the championship takes home $50,000.
EXPAND YOUR TERRITORY TO AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST: Five government agencies are sponsoring a special seminar on Friday, Nov. 17 for businesses interested in doing business in Africa and the Middle East. The seminar is at the OSU South Centers in Piketon and runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $25 for the first person and $15 for a second participant. Sign up online at www.buyusa.gov/greatlakes/africamideast.html.
COMPANY CHANGES SITES: AMA Sign Company of America moved its local sales office on West Water Street to its production facility in Washington Court House. Customers can use the same phone number of 779-1603 to place orders or schedule appointments.
INCHING UP THE LIST WITH GROWTH: Hatzel & Buehler ranked number 35 on the list of Engineering News-Record for electrical contractors in the U.S. "Since we opened the Circleville branch in 1998 and the Kenova branch in 2004, this region has contributed greatly to our success as a national contractor," said James "Butch" Ivey who's in the Circleville office.
NEWEST MEMBERS: Here's who's joined the chamber recently:
- Gordon Flesch Company, 14 S. Paint St., by Todd Moore, 800-756-1174, www.gflesch.com.
- Leo Gillen, Waverly, business consulting, 947-2700.
BUILDING PERMITS: Here's who's received commercial building permits recently from the Chillicothe and Ross County Building Departments:
- Haubeil Enterprises, 1008 E. Main St., roofing, value $13,000.
- Innovative Packaging, 350 Douglas Ave., heating and air conditioning, $8,000.
- Horizon Chillicothe Telephone, 68 E. Main St., roofing $207,000.
- Seth Brown, 51 E. Second St., electrical, $800.
- Traditions of Chillicothe, 141 University Drive, fire protection, $15,000.
- Kenworth Truck Company, 65 Kenworth Drive, building addition, $15 million.
- Maple Grove Christian Church, 1054 Maple Grove Road, new shelterhouse, $6,000.
- Houser & Son Farm, storage shed addition, $15,000.
- Ridgewood Mobile Home Park, 2067 River Road, electrical service, $500.
VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received vendors licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:
- Shear Styles, 1 W. Pickaway St., Kingston.
- Pit Stop Chillicothe, 23 Star Drive, by Italian Pub Group.
- Bloodline Skateboard Shop, 3241 Putnam Road, Clarksburg, by Thomas Stasek.
- Dutcher's Digital Transfer Service, 342 E. Water St., by Alexander Dutcher.
- Blue Lick Primitives, 59 N. Main St., Kingston, by Ann Ford.
- Something Unique, 131 W. Main St., by Irene Ziskowski.