Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update      October 31, 2003

 

ISSUES RISE TO THE TOP: Economic development was a big discussion item this past week as the Ohio State University Extension office conducted the last of a three-phase community assessment project. Ross County is one of 16 in the service’s South District in which an assessment is being conducted. It’s the first in about 10 years and formerly was known as a needs assessment. The second phase involved a mailed survey in which 110 in the county responded. Some of the results were noteworthy, such as:

Results of the survey are available by calling the local extension office at 702-3200.

 

EXPO, BAB COMBO WILL BE GRAND: The November Business After Business will feature the annual Expo of the chamber at the Horizon Technology Center. More than 20 chamber members will exhibit their products and services Wednesday, Nov. 19 in the main training room of the center while refreshments and the usual networking will be going on in the perimeter of the building. This also is a great opportunity for chamber members to bring along prospective members as it will be open and advertised to the public. We also will have extended hours, going from 5-8 p.m. There also is an admission charge, but it’s all for a good cause. The $5 fee can be waived by bringing an unwrapped, but still in its original container toy which will go to the Jaycees Secret Santa program for needy children. A few spots for exhibitors are still available. If interested, give the chamber a call at 702-2722. To register to attend: BAB, Expo registration

 

HR GROUPS TO MERGE: The Human Resources Council and the Ohio Employers Council voted recently to merge to take advantage of the formation of the Society of Human Resource Management Chapter for South Central Ohio which becomes official on Dec. 18. On Nov. 13, two meetings will be held. At 8 a.m., the new officers of the chapter will be elected in a meeting at the Horizon Technology Center on Ohio 104 north. At 11:30 a.m., a luncheon featuring Dale Henderson, an OSHA compliance specialist, will be held in the back room of the Dock at Water, 80 E. Water St. No pre-registration is required for the meeting at 8, but if you intend on going to the lunch, e-mail Sonya Brown at Sonya@personnelsolutions.com.

 

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE COMING TO A CLOSE: While the formal drive portion might be winding down, the effort to add new members is a year-round function. Thanks to the hard work of the Marketing and Membership Committee headed by Connie Smart, the following have joined the chamber in the past month:

 

Text Box: Vote Tuesday! Don’t forget to get to the polls Tuesday between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to vote in the local elections. The chamber reiterates its endorsement of both the Chillicothe City Schools and Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center levies. GETTING INJURED WORKERS BACK ON THE JOB: The likelihood of injured employees returning to work after six months of lost-work days is 50 percent. These figures drop to 25 percent after one year and almost to zero after two years off the job. Transitional work programs help lower your workers' compensation costs by keeping injured workers on the job or returning them to work safely and quickly. At the next luncheon of the Ohio Valley Safety Council on Thursday, Nov. 13, a certified transitional work developer will discuss transitional work and how to implement a program at your worksite. You can learn about BWC's Transitional WorkGRANT$ program, and the benefits and impact of the program on employers and injured workers. To register: Safety Council registration

 

KEEPING CUSTOMERS SATISFIED: Randy McNeal from WinSome Jobs will present a program on customer service for the Ross County Workforce Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 18. “Common Sense Ain’t So Common” will be presented from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Ross County Service Center. The cost is $10. To register: Workforce Academy registration

 

MEXICAN HATS CHANGING: The owners of Los Mariachis in Central Center soon will become the owners and operators of Fiesta Ranchero on North Bridge Street.

 

ARTIST BRANCHING OUT: The Cellar Room is adding the work of Michael Warth to its collection, the first dealer to represent him in Ross County. Warth will be at the store at Water and High streets Saturday 1-3 p.m. to introduce two new releases.

 

TECH GROUP MEETING LOCALLY: The next “Tech Tuesday” of the Information Technology Alliance of Appalachian Ohio will be from 5-7 p.m. next week at the Horizon Technology Center on Ohio 104. Tony Presti of Electronic Vision and Jeremy Kinnard of Tech Connections will discuss how to find qualified tech people even if you’re not tech savvy. For more information, go to: ITAAO Tech Tuesday

 

TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE: And you could pick up a few tips at Wednesday’s session of the Great Seal of Ohio Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Sara Knox of OfficeTeam in Columbus will discuss time management techniques. The session is 6:30-8 p.m. at the Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center. For more information, contact Shannon Vanderpool at 614-466-4208 or svanderpool@odod.state.oh.us.

 

WINS WEBSITE: Chillicothe Surgical Associates was the winners of the free website in the promotion held by Westside Media. All other entrants are eligible for a 10 percent discount. Details at www.westsidemedia.com.

 

HALLOWEEN FAMILY FUN: The Ross County YMCA is hosting a free family event tonight from 7-9 to celebrate Halloween. There will be games, food and candy. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

NEW SCHOOL CHIEF: Maryjo Flamm-Miller is now in her fourth month as the head of school for the Southern Hills Academy.

 

HELP WITH EDUCATION DECISION: Ohio University-Chillicothe, the Ross County Area Guidance Association and the Chillicothe Kiwanis Club are sponsoring their annual College Night Program Thursday at Shoemaker Center. Many two- and four-year colleges and the military services will be represented. Students and parents are invited.

 

VENDORS LICENSES: These businesses recently received a vendor’s license from the Ross County Auditor’s office:

 

CHAMBER CALENDAR:

 

You are receiving this message as a service of the chamber. If you’d like to be omitted from future messages, either reply and ask to unsubscribe or call the chamber office at 702-2722. To stay abreast of all chamber activities, make sure to visit www.chillicotheohio.com frequently. Contents copyrighted by the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce.