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 10
Friday, October 27, 2006
This week's sponsors:
Community Events Calendar
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Copyright 2006
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
Spec building soon to be a reality
A 37,500 square foot building will serve as a magnet for new jobs when it is completed by early next summer. The Ross County Community Improvement Corporation received final approval a week ago for a $500,000 grant and a $500,000 low-interest loan from the state that, along with local funds, will finance the structure (shown in the artist's rendering) in the Gateway Interchange Industrial Park off Ohio 104. The building will be designed that it could accommodate two smaller firms or be expanded quickly for a larger one. The project is part of the initiative of the Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio which is a partnership of city and county government, the chamber and the CIC as well as private investors. The goal is to create 1,500 jobs by the end of 2010 through local expansions and attraction of new business.
ROAD PLAN UPDATE COMING TOGETHER: Widening Western Avenue from the entrance of Brewer Heights all the way west to near Veterans Parkway is emerging as the top priority for new projects for the master highway plan. The Technical Advisory Subcommittee gave its recommendations at this week's meeting of the Oversight Committee that is overseeing the first update of the 1998 Thoroughfare Plan of Chillicothe and Ross County. The subcommittee made four other recommendations that include Bridge Street and U.S. 35 as well as Massieville Road and a new U.S. 23 interchange. The other projects were not given a priority status. Click here to learn about the other recommendations with aerial diagrams of the proposed changes: Thoroughfare Plan
APPROVAL PAVES WAY FOR WALGREENS: A year after voters rejected a Walgreens on the north side of Western Avenue, the Chillicothe Board of Zoning Appeals approved three variances for the developer to build the pharmacy on the south side at the intersection with Plylely's Lane. The current Shell service station and Skate-A-Way will be acquired for the business with the Shell being demolished in January. Walgreen's will have a right-in--right-out only access off Western Avenue and only one entrance off Plyely's. For a schematic of the plans, click here: Walgreens plans.
KENWORTH PARENT BEATS ESTIMATES: Paccar posted third quarter earnings of $1.61 a share, or 13 cents better than analysts predicted. And, it was 43 cents better than the same quarter a year ago. The Kenworth Truck Company parent said sales of the trucks are especially strong this year in advance of new emission rules as Paccar is predicting sales to fall anywhere from 27 to 36 percent in 2007. To learn more about Paccar's future, click here for a Seattle newspaper story: Paccar earnings. Expansion of the Chillicothe Kenworth plant continues on target.
USEC COMPLETES FOUR-YEAR CLEANUP: The final cleanup of 7,434 metric tons of technetium-contaminated uranium was completed recently at the Piketon facility. The project began in 2002 and used a process patented by USEC. It came in within budget and two months ahead of schedule.
SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR FOUNDER'S BALL: The newly formed Friends of Adena group is accepting sponsorships for the special gala ball on March 3 in the Shoemaker Convocation Center at OU-C. For $1,000, corporate sponsors will receive recognition on a plaque to be placed in the reception area of the Adena Mansion ands Gardens, special mention in the program, invitation to the pre-ball party at the mansion visitors center, a one-year Friends of Adena membership, a table for 10 on the dance floor with complimentary refreshments and a commemorative coaster for each ticket holder. Arrangements can be made by contacting Julie Lambert at 775-4846 or coverlet@bright.net.
NOW PRESIDENT OF PEER GROUP: Kevin Mears recently was elected president of Triangle Photographers Association in Pittsburgh. He has been on its board for eight years and on the executive board for five years. He and his wife Amy own Mears Photography on East Water Street.
CENTER GETS NEARER TO OPENING DATE: The Child Development and Family Service Center on the OU-C campus is getting some final touches as it plans to open in December. The $3.4 million facility will have 13 classrooms, five therapy rooms, a full-service kitchen, eight small offices and a commons area. It will serve 200 children daily and 120 OU-C students will have daily classes there with about 25 participating as student teachers. All told, there will be about 62 employees from the six different agencies.
PLENTY OF COLLEGES FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE: College Night at OU-C on Thursday, November 9 in the Shoemaker Convocation Center will involve 52 colleges and universities. The event runs 6:30-8 p.m. and will include information on scholarships, loan programs and other financial aid programs. Check it out: www.ohio.edu/chillicothe.
PIONEER BAZAAR APPROACHING: The annual craft event for Pioneer School is set for Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with more than 60 crafters signed up to display. Homemade beans, cornbread and desserts will be available.
NEWEST MEMBERS: Here's who's joined the chamber recently:
- J&J General Construction, P.O. Box 593, by Jason Brill, 779-0009.
- Business System Solutions, 131 W. Mulberry St., Lancaster, by Diana Spurgus, computer and network support, 740-681-9753, www.bssi.biz.
- Oldtown Appraisal, 12444 Westfall Road, Frankfort, by Melissa Mitten, 998-4010, www.oldtownappraisals.com.
- People Plus Incorporated, Lexington, KY (soon to have offices in the Foulke Block at 14 S. Paint St.), by A.J. Henderson, 859-246-1400.
CHAMBER CALENDAR:
- Thursday, November 9: Ross County Safety Council monthly luncheon, featuring Dan Rogers, director of the American Centrifuge Plant, 11:30 a.m., Chillicothe Country Club, Click here to register to attend
- Thursday, November 9: YPN meeting featuring Ed Yost of Ohio University on new master's degree programs, 17 East Restaurant downtown, 5:30-7 p.m., YPN reservations
- Wednesday, November 15: Chamber Annual Expo sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Elks Hall on West Second Street, this also serves as the Business After Business, Expo exhibitor reservations Click here if you plan to attend: BAB registration