Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
Weekly Update April 25, 2003
YOU’RE NOT ALONE: A recent survey noted that the number one issue and concern of small business today is the cost of health insurance. That’s the first time in two decades that taxes did not top the list. That’s one reason the Ohio chamber joined with five other business organizations to devise a health care reform package to be introduced in the General Assembly. One of the biggest provisions for our members would be that they could be considered in a group setting with much better rates, rather than as an individual company that gets a small discount which is the case now. We’ll keep a watch on this one.
A CHANCE TO HEAR THE FORMER PRESIDENT: The keynote speaker for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and Legislative reception is former President George Bush. He will speak to the gathering at the Ohio Theatre on Wednesday, May 28. To attend, the cost is $100 ($125 if you want to attend the entire day’s sessions). Registration forms are available by calling this chamber and requesting a form. Only mail and fax registrations are being taken by the Ohio chamber.
INVOLVEMENT UP A NOTCH: More than 100 members are serving on chamber committees and councils, providing essential services and guidance. And now, those volunteers are being recognized in hopes that even more members will participate. Head to the chamber’s homepage – www.chillicotheohio.com – and follow the link for “Getting involved.” Or, just click on this link to get you there: Getting involved. On this page is a listing of all the chamber committees, their missions and their members. If you see one you’d like to join, give us a call or drop us an e-mail.
BICENTENNIAL—PART II: The next big event for the local celebration of Ohio’s Bicentennial comes next weekend. The big parade sponsored by Huntington National Bank will wind its way Saturday (May 3) out of the park, down East Water, Mulberry, Main and Walnut onto Yoctangee Parkway. It starts at 2 and has more than 100 units. Before the parade on Friday, don’t forget you can catch a glimpse of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales in Yoctangee Park from Noon-2 p.m. Chris McCarty is looking for volunteers to help carry the 88 county flags in the parade. If you’d like to participate, give Chris a call at 775-2320 or e-mail her at mccarty@adelphia.net for details. And one of the best-kept secrets for that day is the “Party on Paint” in front of the courthouse featuring the Slater Brothers band. It will be directly after the parade and run for about 2-3 hours.
EARNINGS REPORTS: Two companies with local operations reported their first-quarter numbers this past week. It was a mixed bag:
- Paccar, owner of our Kenworth Truck Co. plant, reported profits more than doubled in the quarter compared to a year ago. Revenue was 28 percent higher. Profits rose 135 percent, to $110.8 million, in the first quarter, compared with $47.2 million in net income in the first quarter of 2002. CEO Mark Pigott attributed the improvement to the company’s strong presence and growth in the European market. He said that orders for heavy-duty trucks, made here, were 32 percent lower than last year.
- USEC, with operations in Piketon, reported first quarter net income of $2.1 million, or 3 cents per share, compared to $4.3 million, or 5 cents per share, last year. The previous year’s numbers, though, included a special credit of $4.2 million. Gross profit margin for the quarter was 12.1 percent compared to 8.2 percent last year.
CHAMBER ROOMS AVAILABLE: While we still plan to rent the two upstairs offices on a full-time basis, the chamber is offering space to members for meetings. We’ve converted a downstairs office to a conference room that will hold upwards of 15 and another one upstairs that will accommodate about six. The smaller one also is available on a day-by-day basis for a nominal charge. If you’d like to schedule a meeting here, give Rosie Daughters a call at 702-2722 to check availability.
NEW EXHIBIT AT MUSEUM: “Celebrating 1903: An Exhibition on Ohio’s Centennial Year” is the title of the newest exhibit for the Ross County Historical Society. It opens Sunday, May 4 from 1-5 p.m. at the Franklin House Museum on South Paint Street. On display will be historical artifacts, photographs, clothing and other items from that period.
BUSTERS WANTED: Junior Achievement is looking for some Gus Busters for the annual Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament to be held June 13-15 in downtown Chillicothe. Buster positions are both full- and part-time during the event. In exchange for their time, Buster volunteers will receive a lanyard, T-shirts, hat, shorts, folding chair, bag and a new pair of tennis shoes. To sign up, go to www.chillicothemacker.org and complete the Buster Information Form.
BAB DAY AND DATE CHANGE: Please note that the next Business After Business at Horizon Technology will be Thursday, May 15. That’s a change from our usual day and week of the month. And we apologize to those who did not receive the notice on the change in the Networking Luncheon (which is this coming Wednesday and there’s still time to register) and the cancellation of the luncheon for Congressman Bob Ney.
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED: Accurate Heating and Cooling and Bryant are offering a $1,000 scholarship to one male and one female student athlete. Applications are available at Accurate, 1600 N. Bridge St., or from school guidance counselors. Students must demonstrate involvement in athletics and have maintained at least a 2.75 GPA. The deadline to apply is May 15. You may also call 775-5005 for more information.
NEW BANQUET ROOM OFFERED: Brian Curtis of A Touch of Class Catering now has available the former Petland Training Center on the second floor on North Paint Street near Water Street as a meeting or banquet room. It will hold about 70 people. There’s no charge for the room if food is served. Call Brian at 626-7100.
NEW PUBLICATION: To better stay in touch with its customers, the Hirsch Fruit Farm has started a new newsletter, “Fresh From the Farm.” It has tips on planting, recipes and a schedule of harvests for the various products of the farm. If you’d like a copy, call 775-7055 or e-mail hirschfruit@horizonview.net
Calendar of upcoming chamber activities:
· Tuesday, April 29-1 p.m., Light Industry Committee of Business Growth Council, Chamber
· Wednesday, April 30-8 a.m.-Noon, Workforce Academy: Customer Service workshop, Service Center Seminar registration
· Wednesday, April 30-11:30 a.m., Networking Luncheon, Dock at Water Networking registration
· Wednesday, April 30-1:30 p.m., Retail-Services Committee of Business Growth Council, Chamber
· Thursday, May 1-8 a.m., Spec Building Committee of Business Growth Council, Chamber
· Wednesday, May 7, 11 a.m.-Safety Council Vendors Day, Ross County, Ross County Service Center
· Friday, May 9-Noon, Pathfinders Graduation Ceremony, Horizon Technology Center
· Tuesday, May 13-11:30 a.m., Networking Committee, Traditions
· Thursday, May 15-Noon, Executive Committee, Chamber
· Thursday, May 15-3:30 p.m., Business Growth Council, Ross County Service Center
· Thursday, May 15-5-7 p.m., Business After Business, Horizon Technology Center BAB registration
· Tuesday, May 20-8:30 a.m., Safety Council Steering Committee, Chamber
· Tuesday, May 20-3:30 p.m., Governmental Affairs Committee, Chamber
· Wednesday, May 21-3:30 p.m., Pathfinders Steering Committee, Chamber
· Thursday, May 22-Noon, Board of Directors Meeting, Adena State Memorial
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.