Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update    April 18, 2003

Note: This week’s update comes a day sooner as the chamber office will be closed for Good Friday.

 

STUDY WILL AID BUSINESS GROWTH COUNCIL: About half of the retail dollars spent in Ross County come from people who don’t live in our county. That was the major finding of the study conducted recently by Ohio University-Chillicothe students. The study, now available in its entirety on the chamber’s website on the front page (OU-C Retail Study), came from the impetus of discussions from a committee of the chamber’s Business Growth Council. The Retail-Services Committee will now use these findings to attract even more businesses to town and to help others expand. The study was the subject of the in-depth report in the Chillicothe Gazette last Sunday. The committee was hoping an objective source, such as the university, could help prove that Chillicothe is a major retail center, serving a wider audience than just our own residents. Good job by the students and Tom Brown, the professor who shepherded the project to its conclusion.

 

BUSINESS GROWTH COUNCIL: PART TWO: Work also continues on the Red Carpet Day in which more than 100 real estate developers from across the state will be invited to town June 19-20. The purpose is to acquaint them directly with the attributes of this market (including the findings of the OU-C study) so that they will keep Chillicothe in mind when they look for opportunities for their clients, such as restaurants, retail stores and industry. The Light Industry Committee of the BGC is spearheading this effort which will include a trip to a Paints game, a presentation on the community as a good place to do business and a quick tour of the area.

 

FIRST OF SEVERAL?: Local developer Pat McAllister, center in photo, predicted Monday that Dakota’s Roadhouse will be the first of what eventually will be more than several new restaurants to come along Western Avenue and U.S. 50. At the groundbreaking ceremony for the 225-seat, 6,800 square foot eatery at the northeast corner of Western Avenue and Alum Bluff Road, McAllister likened the situation to when he and his partners first opened Damon’s on North Bridge Street as the first upscale casual dining restaurant there. When it opens later this year, Dakota’s will be managed by Ed Steele, one of the partners in the venture. He’s shown at left in photo shaking hands with Steve Houseman. Steele worked for the Damon’s franchise for 12 years, including as the local manager, and also was a country club manager for 10 years. About 40 employees will be hired. The hope by the partners is to expand the concept into other areas in Ohio.

 

DATELINE GOES QUARTERLY: The printed newsletter of the chamber is going to a quarterly publication cycle after the May edition. With this e-mail update and more frequent use of broadcast fax for those who don’t have e-mail, we plan to keep members informed of chamber activities. The next edition after May will be in August.

 

CHAMBER FAMILY GROWS: Chamber Marketing and Membership Manager Cami Carroll can now add the title mother as she gave birth to Braeden at 5:49 p.m. Wednesday. He arrived at 7 pounds, 6 ounces and is 20 inches long. Mother and child both are doing fine.

 

ANOTHER NEW ADDITION: Rosie Daughters is our new administrative assistant. She is a Bishop Flaget graduate and long was associated with the local Easter Seals chapter. She and her husband, David, also owned Commercial Motor Freight. Her duties will include providing staff support for the Ohio Valley Safety Council.

 

NEW MEMBERS:

 

AUTHOR TO SIGN NEW BOOK: Allan W. Eckert, best known in these parts as the author of The Frontiersmen from which our outdoor drama “Tecumseh!” was based, will be at the Readers’ Retreat bookstore at 90 N. Paint St. on Saturday 3-5 p.m. to sign copies of his newest book, The Wilderness War.

 

PETLAND PARTY WAS POSH: More than 200 people took advantage of the great hospitality shown by the folks at Petland Wednesday for the chamber’s Business After Business. The company got a chance to show off its world headquarters, including its new training room, at Hickory and Riverside streets. The firm continues to expand with hopes for 15 more stores this year. Its reach extends now to South Africa and Chile in addition to Canada, France, Japan and other points. Founder Ed Kunzelman, left, is shown talking with the CHS TV Kerns family: Mike, Margaret and Michael. Take note that the next BAB will be at the Horizon Technology Center on Ohio 104 north on May 14, one week earlier than usual. And also take note that now is the time to schedule your company’s BAB for 2004. We have commitments through December this year and welcome starting next year’s lineup. Call the chamber office for more details.

 

REACHES MILESTONE: Jim Copley celebrated the 30th year of his business on April 13, Tecumseh Claims Service. He is an independent multi-line claims representative serving more than 100 companies in his 30 years. He handles more than 17 counties in southern Ohio. He is a Portsmouth native and earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Ohio University. Congrats on the milestone!

 

NEWEST MARKER: A ceremony is set for Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the northwest corner of Second and Walnut streets for the unveiling of the city’s newest historical marker. It will note the location of Abram’s Big House which served as the site where the territorial legislature of the Northwest Territory met.

 

MORE ACCOLADES FOR PACCAR: The parent company of the Kenworth Truck Company has been named a finalist in three categories for the American Business Awards. It is one of only three companies in the U.S. to be a three-time finalist. The categories are: Best Overall Company, Most Innovative Company and Best Product Development Organization. Awards, nicknamed “The Stevies” for the Greek word crowned, are to be presented in a nationally broadcast show on April 30.

 

NEW GOURMET LINE ARRIVES: Gourmet Grounds on South Paint Street has added gelato to its sales lineup. The Italian ice cream is a cross between American ice cream and sherbet with the texture of a creamy paste. It may be the only place in this area to get this delicacy.

 

NEW QUARTERS OPENING: By the time you read this, the Scioto Society offices should be open at their new location adjacent to the outdoor drama amphitheater. The organization took advantage of a rare chance to acquire the property which will allow it to consolidate all activities on Sugarloaf Mountain, including better storage space. The former site at High and Second streets is for sale.

 

DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN?: "The rising cost of workers' compensation insurance is the most significant issue facing businesses in California today,” said Rusty Hammer, president of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Remember when Ohio businesses complained of the same problem? Let’s hope we’re not headed there again, which, according to James Conrad at last week’s safety awards luncheon, won’t be the case. Conrad heads Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

 

STILL TIME TO SIGN UP: If you haven’t already signed up for these chamber-based programs, here’s another chance to register online by clicking on the links. And even if you forget, you can visit our website. Just don’t wait until it’s too late:

 

This newsletter goes weekly to more than 350 chamber members and their employees 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 or your company is a chamber member and this was forwarded to you and you would like to be included in the original mailing, reply to this e-mail. 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.