Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update    June 20, 2003

 

A NEW LOOK FOR THE CHAMBER: This week your chamber adopted a new logo that we feel gives the organization a more up-to-date look and feel and one in keeping with our mission to always remain progressive. Local Artist Shelley Pocock revised an earlier proposal she had made based on suggestions from the chamber’s new Marketing and Membership Committee. In essence, the logo (shown at right) is a modernized version of Ohio’s Great Seal depicting a sunrise over Mt. Logan and the Scioto River, yet encompassing an openness to new thoughts and ideas. You will start to see the new logo phased into the chamber’s operations over the next few months.

 

TONIGHT IS SIZZLIN: Don’t forget that tonight is the second installment of Sizzlin Summer Nights sponsored by the Downtown Associates. Shops will be open late, restaurants will be offering specials and a Boogie on the Blacktop is set for the Elks.

 

HOT RUMOR OF THE WEEK: Dillard’s department store coming to Shawnee Square?

 

WELCOME NEWEST MEMBER: Diana Lynch at 155 W. Sixth St. is doing business as DVL Fashion Coordinator/Consultant. She can be reached at 774-4888.

 

ONE HIT WILL MAKE IT WORTHWHILE: A brochure touting the attributes of Chillicothe as a regional hub as verified by the recent OU-C study will be in the packet given to every registrant for the All-County All-Class Reunion the July 4 weekend. That’s more than 5,000 copies going out to present and former Chillicotheans and Ross Countians, many of whom might be looking for a reason to return. The brochures also will be made available to commercial real estate agents both locally and in the state and also to anyone actively involved in development. Another tool in our arsenal.

 

SBA OFFERS BETTER WEBSITE: The Small Business Administration recently launched “an extensively enhanced website designed to make it easier for small business owners and other users to access a wealth of agency resources.”  The site has more than 50,000 documents and gets about 1.2 million visits weekly. Most popular stops? Starting Your Own Business, Financing Your Business and How to Write a Business Plan. Check it out at www.sba.gov.

 

DIRECTORY SALES STARTING: Don’t be surprised if you get a call this week to advertise in next year’s chamber Membership Directory and Buyers’ Guide. Panther Publishing is getting started on the guide for which we plan some major changes in content. Instead of focusing on chamber activities and reasons to join, the guide will become more of an economic development tool with statistics and other information that can be used to lure more business here and to give prospective new residents a good feel of the community’s attributes. Also, this allows for a yearly updating so statistics and other information don’t become stale.

 

SIMPLE TIP COULD PAY OFF BIG: At a recent meeting, employers were reminded of one simple step that could help make the final decision on hiring a prospect for an entry level position, especially younger ones: Ask for a high school transcript. From that transcript, you not only find out the classes and grades a prospect received, but also the number of absences and tardiness that could be a harbinger of work ethic.

 

A CONSTRUCTIVE BAB: Sunrush Construction did a great job entertaining the more than 150 who took part in this week’s Business After Business. Participants got a chance to check out the year-old quarters of the company at Seventh and McArthur streets. Dona Smith of the CIC was the winner of the raffle for the $125 gift certificate, good at either Sunnybrook or DeGarmo’s Canal House Pastas. Proceeds from the raffle go to benefit the chamber’s Pathfinders Leadership program. And speaking of DeGarmo’s, next month’s BAB will be there, sponsored by Western View Communities. To register, go to BAB registration or visit www.chillicotheohio.com and follow the links on the leftside.

 

CHAMBER CALENDAR:

 

A NOTE OF THANKS FROM THE EXEC:

It’s hard to believe, but today is my first anniversary as your executive director. I’m constantly asked how I like my job and my thoughts are like those of so many athletes: “I get paid to do something I love?”

This is a special community with special people, many of whom are trying to make it even more special. As executive director of your chamber, that’s been a driving goal the past year and I don’t see that ever changing.

I have been blessed with a staff that embraces this goal and finds ways to keep me focused while putting up with my idiosyncrasies.

I have been blessed with a board and Executive Committee that provide direction and encourage me and the staff as we look for ways to provide members the best possible services.

And, best of all, I have been blessed with more than 500 members (510 as of this writing) who provide the resources which allow this chamber to work on making the community even more special.

To every one of you, my sincere thanks for allowing me this opportunity. With that said, I’ll be taking some time off next week and with July 4 on a Friday, the next newsletter will be out July 3.-- Marvin Jones

 

 

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’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.