 | 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 3, Issue 12 Friday, November 19, 2004 This Week's Sponsors
Chamber Calendar Tuesday, Nov. 23-Board Development Committee, 4:45 p.m., chamber Thursday, Nov. 25-Thanksgiving, office closed Friday, Nov. 26-Office closed Wednesday, Dec. 8-Pathfinders Leadership series, Health Day, start at Traditions of Chillicothe, 7:45 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 9-Executive Committee, 8 a.m., chamber Thursday, Dec. 9-Ross County Safety Council, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Chillicothe Country Club Monday, Dec. 13-Marketing and Membership Committee, noon, chamber Tuesday, Dec. 14-Board of Directors, noon, Kenworth Truck Company Tuesday, Dec. 14-Pathfinders Leadership Steering Committee, 3:30 p.m., chamber Wednesday, Dec. 15-Business After Business, 5-7 p.m., at Huntington Bank co-sponsored by RLS Recycling BAB registration Dec. 24-27: Christmas holiday, office closed Dec. 31: New Year's holiday, office closed, re-open Monday, Jan. 3
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. |  EXPO AND BAB A BIG SUCCESS: About 150 attended Wednesday's combined Business Expo and Business After Business at the Horizon Technology Center with more than 30 walking away with door prizes donated by the exhibitors, including a $650 computer by Protactics. The number of exhibitors increased by about 30 percent from the previous year. In photo above, Becky Young, manager of Fairfield Mortgage, presents a door prize consisting of OSU-branded items to Horizon's Joy Davis. EDTECH ENTERPRISES WINS DRIVE PRIZE: Eric Drake, an Expo exhibitor and a new member of the chamber with his contracting and consulting business, won the grand prize in the chamber's annual Membership Drive contest that netted 21 new investors in the chamber. Eric won $250 in Certifichecks, the gift certificates good at about 100 chamber member locations, and he received his Expo space free of charge. MEMBERSHIP CONTINUES TO GROW: Five businesses or organizations joined the chamber recently:
GREAT HOLIDAY GIFTS: Certifichecks (a chamber business partner) make great gifts for the holidays because of their versatility. Accepted at our major member department stores, our specialty shop members and our member restaurants, Certifichecks solve the problem of what to give the person who has everything or who is difficult to buy for. And they come in denominations starting at $10. It also means your shopping dollars stay local which is always a good thing. To learn more or to purchase them, go to this website: www.certifichecks.com NEW BUSINESS TAX STILL ON AGENDA: A new "business activity tax" proposed in pending state legislation is still on the agenda, but the Ohio Chamber of Commerce is hoping to push debate on it until next year. The proposed tax would replace the tangible personal property tax and the corporation franchise tax. "Clearly tax reform is needed and the Ohio chamber considers it a top priority for 2005, but refraining from enacting tax reform during a frantic lame-duck session is the best course of action," according to the state chamber. MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT GOING UP: Higher gasoline costs have pushed the IRS to raise the standard mileage rate for 2005 to 40.5 cents from 37.5 cents. MAILING COSTS HEADED UPWARD ALSO: According to Kiplinger Forecasts, a first-class stamp will go to 41 cents from 37 cents by late next year or early 2006. Other business mailing costs are expected to increase by about 18-22 percent. HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED: The new Health Savings Accounts that are becoming more popular with many smaller firms also are available to the self-employed. You must be under age 65 and purchase a high deductible policy. Much more information is available at www.hsainsider.com and quotes are available from local insurance agents or by going to www.ehealthinsurance.com. SIGN FIRM STARTS SCHOOL PROGRAM: "Schools Earn Extra Dollars" or SEED, is a new program of the AMA Sign Company of America that allows businesses purchasing signs to designate money to go to the school or school organization of their choice without affecting the cost of their sign. Tim Ault, vice president of business affairs for AMA, said, "This is a cutting edge program that will have a direct financial impact on our local schools and most importantly our children." The program was unveiled at AMA's space at the Business Expo Wednesday. To learn more, call the local office at 779-1603. Also, Chillicothean Jeff Krider has joined the firm as its regional sales manager. SPECIAL OFFER TO CHAMBER MEMBERS: Scioto Micro, which joined the chamber during the Membership Drive, is offering all members a special discount on some packages and services through Dec. 18. Mike Connell is offering the discounts on services such as web site construction, and computer and wireless network installations. Check out the offer here: www.sciotomicro.com/coc-offer.htm. RAIN DELAYS U.S. 35 OPENING: While the westbound lanes have been open since Monday afternoon, the eastbound lanes of the new four-lane portion won't open until Sunday afternoon, according to ODOT. They originally had hoped to open on Friday. As a side note, all of the concrete for the new highway was produced by RossCo Redi-Mix, a chamber member. VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:
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