U.S. 23 NOW GETTING A SHOVE:

INVOICES FOR 2005 GOING OUT: By late next week, your firm should have received the first chamber dues invoice for 2005. This gives those who want a chance to pay before the end of the year. Payment is due, though, by Jan. 31. The good news is that there will be no general dues increase. Any increase will be related to the rise in the number of employees at your firm. Don't hesitate to call us with any questions whatsoever about your invoice.

HUNTINGTON DECKED OUT FOR BAB: Huntington Bank and RLS Recycling have made all the preparations and have plenty of door prizes for Wednesday's Business After Business at the bank at Paint and Main streets. It will be a good chance to toast the holidays with your friends and colleagues. It runs 5-7 p.m. And make sure you tell us your coming: BAB registration

ON THE NEW LAWS AND REGULATIONS FRONT:

• The bad: The Ohio Job and Family Services Department reports unemployment compensation taxes will rise slightly the first of the year. Rates will vary from 0.2 percent to 8 percent with the average at 2.3 percent.
• The good: Paperwork for more than 4 million small businesses is expected to decrease when the Internal Revenue Service increases the minimum threshold for Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) deposits to $500. Effective Jan. 1, employers will be required to make a quarterly deposit for unemployment taxes if the accumulated tax exceeds $500, up from $100.
• And even better: The Kiplinger Letter predicts business will see huge legislative strides in Congress in 2005. Tops on the list are tort reform to move class action suits to the friendlier federal courts and caps on medical malpractice awards, passage of the long-stalled $300 billion highway bill and no increase in the minimum wage.

ON THE MOVE: Below are a couple items sent to us by members. And now we've made it even easier to get us your news through an online form. As you can see, we just need a sentence or two and we'll take it from there. This also applies to new products and services you might be offering. The link to the form will be at the bottom of each newsletter and on our homepage, so please take advantage of it. Here are recent personnel changes reported by chamber members:

• Ann Thompson is now into full-time retirement, having left the Century 21 Darfus Realty firm to relax and enjoy life.
• Michele Hertenstein is now with National City Bank at its Bridge Street branch.
• Linda Hegwood is back as marketing executive for Act-I Staffing after a six-month hiatus.

PREMIUM MEMBERSHIPS GOING FAST: Six members already have signed on to be premium chamber members in 2005. These special packages provide discounts on things such as space at the Expo, tickets to the Annual Meeting and a team in the annual golf outing. Members also can make substitutions for some of the features. The Platinum level is $1,000 and Silver $500 which is in addition to a member's normal dues. Check out the packages here: 2005 Premium Memberships

ELECTRIC LIGHT PARADE THIS WEEKEND: The second annual parade gets under way at 6 Saturday night, but the fun begins at noon when Santa's Workshop opens at the Ross County Fairgrounds. Entertainment is planned the entire day and ends with the parade followed by fireworks at 6:30. And admission is free. It is being sponsored by the Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau.

SAFETY COUNCIL IN A FESTIVE MOOD: Nearly 90 people attended Thursday's luncheon of the Ross County Safety Council that featured speakers on holiday safety tips for business and home. For your calendar purposes, Thursday, Jan. 13 will be the mandatory CEO event for businesses enrolled in the program to receive a 2 percent premium discount next year. The affair will be a luncheon starting at 11:30 at the Chillicothe Country Club. The speakers will be three CEOs from the council membership.

VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:

• Gerald T. Anderson, 3200 S. Bridge St.
• Chillicothe Craft Mall, 674 N. High St.
• Alexis Gilbert, 6 N. Paint St.
• Ralph E. Graves, 3512 Vigo Road
• House of Lydia, 2626 Higby Road, by Stephanie Dresbach
• Pieces for Peace, 394 Tabernacle Road, by Cassandra Burns.

TOP ENTREPRENEURS SOUGHT: In case you missed this week's special e-mail, the chamber is soliciting candidates for the annual Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The process involves taking nominations from members and the community, then having a committee of former winners and chamber board members selecting the recipient. Follow this link to the online nomination form: Entrepreneur of Year nomination.

FRONTIER STAFF IN NEW OFFICES: The ribbon was cut Thursday afternoon on the new office building of Frontier Community Services behind its other building on Pleasant Valley Road. The new building has 5,800 square feet and 26 offices plus a conference room, reception area and break room.