Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
Weekly Update November 8, 2002
COUNCIL MAKING PROGRESS: The work of the Business Growth Council is taking form and shape. The five committees are down to four with the merger of retail and services and three projects are being pursued:
- A "Red Carpet Day" early next summer in which developers from around the state would be invited to learn more about our community as a place to
do business. This would include tours of the area's attractions and best features and also where opportunities exist such as Gateway Industrial Park, the Herron property north of town and the former WearEver building on Eastern Avenue, shown at right. - Accumulation of data that conclusively proves Chillicothe is THE shopping hub of south central Ohio. We know it, but validation by a reputable source (in this case, Ohio University) will go a long way in proving to the developers mentioned above and others that shoppers and workers flock to our community in great numbers every day, bringing with them their disposable incomes and their skills for jobs.
- Exploration of a special improvement district designation for the downtown. If a good project can be identified, then the SID could help provide financing.
And remember that this is in addition to the work being done every day by Dona Smith of the Community Improvement Corp. and Matt Allen, the city's development director.
SURVEY ONLINE: If you had a tough time opening the PDF file from our earlier e-mail this week, you may now access the Boston Pops interest survey on our website, www.chillicotheohio.com. Just click on the link on the homepage, print out the survey, complete it and fax it to the number listed at the bottom of it. Your thoughts will be much appreciated by the committee that will be making its recommendation.
MORE NEW MEMBERS: Two more businesses joined your chamber this past week and we should have more to report in the weeks ahead.
- Tecumseh Claims Service, operated by Jim and Cindy Copley. The independent insurance adjustors have been in business since 1973. 773-2392.
- Personal Touch Party Rentals, operated by Penny Hutchinson. Located now at 978 Ely Road, Lancaster, it also is a bridal shop and an event planner. The company hopes to open a store here soon. 740-689-6991.
ART RECEPTION: An opening reception is planned Saturday, 5-7 p.m. at Picture This, 16 W. Water St. for "Visions of Ross County," watercolor works by Bill Huff. 773-5966.
ALERT FROM BBB: A scam targeting bereaved families that have recently lost loved ones is operating nationally, according to the Better Business Bureau. Exodus Collection Services bills itself as a debt collection agency for Alliant Bank N.A. and apparently sends Visa invoices for amounts ranging from $138 to $700. Inquiries concerning the scam can be made to the BBB in Delaware at 302-230-0108.
GREAT GIFT IDEA: As you begin to think about your holiday gift-giving, don't forget the chamber's Certifichecks program. Log on to our website at www.chillicotheohio.com and follow the link on the left side of the home page. These gift certificates are redeemable at more than 100 participating chamber businesses, giving the receiver much more flexibility in buying what they want and from where they want. They're also great as gifts to employees and your customers.
GOOSETOWN IN CONCERT: Chillicothe's own Goosetown Astonishers will be the second program of the Area Artist Series on Saturday, Nov. 16. The concert will be at the Smith Middle School gymnasium (so you'll be able to dance), starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students.
DATELINE IS OUT: The monthly Dateline newsletter was mailed early this past week so, if you haven’t received yours yet, give us a call so we can get one to you.
GOLF OUTING PHOTOS ONLINE: If you participated in the chamber’s annual golf outing in October at Valley Vista, chances are your team’s photo is on the Internet. You can find out by going to by clicking www.chillicotheohio.com/chamber/annualgolfouting/golfouting.htm. We weren’t able to get photos of all the teams, but quite a few.
SAFETY COUNCIL MEETING: Marsha Bevins, the safety and security manager at Mill’s Pride in Waverly, will be the featured speaker Thursday at the Ross County Safety Council meeting. It will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ross County Service Center on Western Avenue. Please call the chamber office to register. The price is $8 per person.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR OUR SKIERS: The Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce has put together a package that gives discounts to our chamber members, their employees and their guests. “Chamber Family Ski Days is for the weekend of Dec. 21-22 at both the Clearfork and Snow Trails ski resorts. A one-day lift ticket and group lesson is $25 and it’s $30 for a lift ticket, group lesson and skis or snowboard. Normal prices are $43-$60. And double that price if you want two-day passes. Information is available by going to www.mrachamber.com and downloading the PDF file.
This newsletter goes 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.