Volume 2, Number 23                                         February 6, 2004

 

LESS THAN THREE WEEKS NOW: Tickets for the chamber’s Annual Dinner on Feb. 26, featuring OSU Coach Jim Tressel, were mailed early this week and should be in the hands of most everyone now. Tickets aren’t being released until we have payment. Included with the tickets was a seating chart which you might want to bring the night of the event along with some tips and information. Our goal is to get everyone to their seats as quickly as possible so they can enjoy the festivities. And because of what could be a tight parking situation, you might want to allow extra time to arrive.

 

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT: Your chamber Board of Directors voted unanimously to endorse passage of the tax issues on the ballot for both Chillicothe City Schools and the Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center. Both will improve the education of our children for generations to come which will provide a solid workforce for employers for years to come. In addition to the endorsement, Chillicothe residents can publicly show their support for the city schools’ issue by having your name printed in a newspaper ad that will be published before the March 2 election. The more names in the ad, the more the community will know we’re behind the schools. To issue your personal endorsement of the issue, follow this link and submit your information: City schools endorsement

 

GOAL IS SMOOTHER SAILING ON U.S. 23: For the first time in about four years, the U.S. 23 Corridor Committee met this week at Adena Regional Medical Center to begin plotting strategy on how best to keep traffic – and commerce -- flowing on the limited access highway from Portsmouth to I-270 in Columbus. Officials from four counties were represented. Ross Commissioner Jim Caldwell conducted the meeting. Recent improvements noted were better signalization in South Bloomfield and the plans to move the Crites Road intersection in Circleville to across the way from the Bob Evans Restaurant. That’s in the area where the new Wal-Mart Supercenter is being built. The group plans to get back together in about three months.

 

KENWORTH PARENT REPORTS STRONG NUMBERS: “Paccar had a great year in 2003; in fact, it was the second best year in the company’s 98-year history, as well as being the 65th consecutive year of net profitability,” said chairman and CEO Mark Pigott this week. The parent company of the Kenworth Truck Co. also reported it expects a 10-15 percent increase in the market for the Class 8 trucks that are built here in Chillicothe. Net income for 2003 was $526.5 million versus $372 million in 2002.

 

TREAT YOUR SWEETIE AND PUMP UP THE PUMP HOUSE: “Look of Love is the Valentine’s Day fund-raiser for the Pump House Center for the Arts planned at the Chillicothe Country Club on Saturday, Feb. 14. The event will feature wine tasting, an art auction and a gourmet dinner. Tickets may be purchased at the gallery and run $45 for singles, $85 for a couple and $500 for a corporate table of 8 that has preferred seating.

 

VENDORS LICENSES: Here’s who’s received one recently from the Ross County Auditor:

 

WATCH THOSE NUMBERS: Word is out that the Internal Revenue Service plans to audit more small businesses than in the past. According to one report, the IRS is hiring 2,200 more auditors and that extra scrutiny will be paid to sole proprietors and businesses with less than $10 million in assets.

 

NEW MEMBERS: Here’s who’s joined the chamber recently:

 

SAFETY LUNCHEON MOVED: The regularly scheduled luncheon for the Ohio Valley Safety Council has been moved to Thursday, Feb. 19 and will be held in the back room at the Dock at Water on East Water Street. Joan Gates, a former OSHA employee will be the guest speaker on the topic of “OSHA from a Business Perspective.” The cost is $10. To register: Safety Council luncheon form.

 

FORMER DIRECTOR IN KANSAS: Former local chamber executive David Milliken started Jan. 23 as the executive of the Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce just southwest of Kansas City. Before going there, he was at Saranac Lake in upstate New York. He can be reached at dmilliken@nejcchamber.com.

 

CHAMBER CALENDAR:

 

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