Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update   November 1, 2002

 

NEW MEMBERS GALORE: It’s been a very successful membership push here at the chamber the past few weeks. Cami Carroll, membership manager, has closed on 10 new members recently. Several are a result of referrals made by current members. If you know of someone who would enjoy the benefits of being a chamber member, please give Cami a call at 702-2722 or e-mail her at ccarroll@chillicotheohio.com. Please welcome our newest members:

 

AND NO PLANS TO JOIN: “… it is in our best interests to control our business relations and governmental affairs through our corporate offices, and therefore do not join local Chamber of Commerce or similar organizations,” wrote Gail Naumann of the community relations department of Kohl’s in a letter to this chamber. A letter was mailed this week from your chamber to the chairman of the board of directors of Kohl’s asking the board to reconsider this policy. “We hope that you will debate the merits of investing in local organizations that make a difference where you do business,” we wrote.

 

GOVERNOR WELCOMES NEW INDUSTRY: Gov. Bob Taft was on hand this week at the reception at the OSU South Centers in Piketon to welcome Uranium Disposition Services. The company received a $558 million contract from the U.S. Department of Energy to design, build and operate a plant that will deal with the many canisters on the A-plant property. Pat Hopper (shown at left), who will head the organization, said there will be 100-150 construction jobs and up to 165 permanent jobs created. He also said there is the potential for $150 million in subcontracting work.

 

OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE: Just a reminder that sponsorship opportunities still exist for the chamber’s 90th anniversary celebration. It will be Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Christopher Conference Center and will feature a presentation sure to be talked about for months. If you’d like more details, contact the chamber at 702-2722 or by replying to this e-mail and asking for details.

 

FOR YOUR BUDGETING PURPOSES: Many of you already know, but when you’re doing your budget for 2003, make sure you account for what is expected to be upwards of a 400 percent increase in Workers Compensation premiums. “Businesses that have been lulled into these low rates are really going to get pretty rude awakenings when they receive their bill next July,” according to a human resources consulting firm quoted in Business First. Businesses have been receiving a 75 percent premium reduction in past years because of good investment returns and a huge surplus in the fund. This might be another reason to check out the chamber’s plan which could save you some money.

 

A LIMITED OPPORTUNITY: The committee handling the arrangements for the gala ball at Shoemaker Center on Statehood Day reports there are a limited number of corporate tables that will be sold for the evening and that they will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The 10-person tables are $650 which includes a ticket to get in. Interested parties should contact Jan Nusbaum right away at 703-5082.

 

PANCAKE DAY MONDAY: The Chillicothe Rotary Club’s annual Pancake Day is Monday at the Ross County YMCA. Times are 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tickets are $6.

 

MAP SALES PROGRESSING: The chamber is updating its popular map for next spring and advertising sales have started. You might expect a call from Ron Sheets of the Performance Publishing Group within the next few weeks. The maps will feature landmarks on the Ross County side and an inset for a walking tour of downtown on the city side. This is the map that will be available at area motels, restaurants, real estate agents and will be included in our relocation packet. If you want to make sure you get one of the coveted positions, give Ron a call here at the chamber at 702-2722.

 

COLLEGE NIGHT NEXT THURSDAY: The annual College Night Program is Thursday, 6:30-8 p.m. at Shoemaker Center at Ohio University-Chillicothe. It’s sponsored by the Ross County Area Guidance Association, OU-C and the Chillicothe Kiwanis Club. Representatives from many colleges and universities will be on hand.

 

CHAMBER ENDORSES RESTORING CUTS: A letter of support was written to Chillicothe City Council on behalf of the Ross Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau to restore funding cuts to the bureau from proceeds from the city’s hotel-motel bed tax. “We realize council must meet fiscal goals, but it shouldn’t be done by diverting taxes intended for the purpose of bringing more people to the community,” the chamber’s memo said. Funding to the CVB from the city has dropped to $25,000 from $50,000 in previous years.

 

TOUR AVAILABLE: The South Central Ohio Preservation Society is sponsoring a tour bus to Ripley on the Ohio River on Sunday to see the home of John P. Parker, a former slave who was a major figure in the Underground Railroad. The cost is $23. The bus will leave 178 Church St. at 11 a.m. and from Bristol Village in Waverly at 11:40. More information is available from Nelson Coleman at 775-1387.

 

 

This newsletter goes out weekly to more than 350 of the chamber’s members for whom we have e-mail addresses. If you have an item you’d like to include, e-mail Executive Director Marvin Jones at mjones@chillicotheohio.com. If you’d like to be omitted from this mailing, reply and ask to unsubscribe. To stay abreast of chamber activities, make sure to visit www.chillicotheohio.com frequently.