Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update    May 9, 2003

NEWEST PATHFINDERS AVAILABLE: Is your organization’s board looking for good people? Do you want people who are knowledgeable about the community and who now know a bunch more about being leaders? Then you might want to take a look at any of the 12 who graduated today from this year’s chamber Pathfinder Leadership series. Graduation ceremonies were held at Horizon Technology Center following the final class. Adena Health System CEO Allen Rupiper was the commencement speaker. Here are the graduates:

Our thanks to the participants for their dedication and our thanks to their sponsors for their commitment to the program. If your company or you are interested in sending someone to the next series, please give the chamber a call. Classes begin in September.

 

VENDORS DAY ATTRACTS BUSINESSES: About 10 companies participated in the first Vendors Day this past week sponsored by the Ohio Valley Safety Council. The event was held at the Ross County Service Center and gave the companies a chance to display their wares and services. The photo at right is from the event.

 

COUNCIL DECISION APPLAUDED: The first big step to reducing traffic congestion on North Bridge Street was taken Thursday by Chillicothe City Council. By working with Applebee’s and the new Walgreen’s, the city administration is able to extend Marietta Road west which eventually will eliminate one of the three traffic signals within an eighth of a mile of each other on Bridge Street. That alone will ease congestion. Also, hats off to Horizon Chillicothe Telephone which will invest more than $1 million to move some lines on the property. Much of the work is to be done by Christmas when holiday traffic can become a deterrent to business. Maybe while we’re making changes north, local and state officials can give some serious thought to widening Western Avenue (U.S. 50) all the way from North Fork Village to U.S. 28 so that it won’t have to be retrofit 25 years from now.

 

LOTS OF PEOPLE IN TOWN THIS WEEKEND: Between the Cruisefest Nationals and the annual Tour of the Scioto River Valley bicycling entourage, Chillicothe and Ross County will have a ton of guests Saturday and Sunday. For many local businesses, it will mean a ton of opportunities. Upwards of 10,000 people are expected for the events that will see traffic on Ohio 104 north of town at times a real challenge. And, this is another opportunity to display our attributes and our hospitality so that many will find good reasons to return.

 

BAB IS NEXT WEEK: Make sure your calendar has been adjusted for the Business After Business. This month it is at Horizon Technology Center on Ohio 104 north, but it is on Thursday 5-7 p.m. instead of the traditional Wednesday. Register by following the link below included in the calendar.

 

SBA LINKS MIGHT BE WORTH CHECKING: The Small Business Administration this week announced the availability of two websites that could provide resources for many members. The first is the E-Business Institute in which the SBA is offering online virtual business courses, workshops, learning tools and counseling assistance to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. There are 16 training categories and more than 70 interactive courses available and more will be added. Learn about the offerings at http://www.sba.gov/training. The second is a report for small banks about the profitability and riskiness of lending to small businesses. The summary report can be found at http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/rs229.pdf.

 

LOCAL GENEROSITY COMES THROUGH: The Ross County chapter of the American Red Cross reported that it sent 130 packages to overseas troops during the recent conflict in Iraq. The photo at right shows the packages being put together.

 

NEWEST MEMBER: The AMA Sign Company of America is the newest chamber member. It is owned by former Chillicothean Tim Ault, is based on Grove City and has production facilities in Washington CH. The local phone number is 779-1603.

 

COMP TIME ISSUE ON TABLE: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is pushing support for HR 1119 in Congress which, among other things, would allow private sector employers and their employees the choice of opting for paid time off as compensation for working overtime hours. This flexibility in compensation has long been enjoyed by public sector employers and employees. The issue is expected to come to a vote in the House of Representatives within two weeks. The Family Time Flexibility Act would require a written agreement with employees, would allow comp time in lieu of cash wages and would require a “cash out” at the end of every year of any unused comp time. If you’d like more information, call this chamber and we’ll fax a fact sheet to you. And if you support the measure, you might want to contact Reps. Bob Ney or Dave Hobson next week.

 

COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP: Nationally known presenter Paul Clayton will lead the next Workforce Academy: “Dynamic Strategies for Communications.” It will be Tuesday, May 20, 8 a.m. until noon at the Ross County Service Center. The cost is $15 per person. To register: Workforce Academy registration.

 

CHAMBER EVENTS-MEETINGS CALENDAR:

·         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.