Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update      September 12, 2003

 

BUSINESS EXPANDS: Chillicothe will become the fifth store for Standardbred Computers when it opens on Monday. It will be at 750 Western Avenue with a phone and fax number of 779-2181. Brian Kelley has expanded his business since 1998 to include stores in Washington CH, Jackson, Circleville and Hillsboro. The company, a member of the chamber for several years, specializes in custom built PCs, consulting, networking, videoconferencing and service both in house and on location. It also is an authorized representative for Nextel.

 

MEDIA PANEL EXPLAINS RULES: One of the biggest crowds this year at a Networking Luncheon learned Wednesday that getting your news into print and on the air is a matter of communications: e-mails and phone calls for starters. Lori McNelly from the Chillicothe Gazette, Bob Neal from Clear Channel and Tom Castor from Horizon explained to the 45 attendees at the Dock at Water how to submit your news items to them. Each company also got a chance to talk about their firms. To check out photos from the luncheon, go to www.chillicotheohio.com and follow the link on the left side for “Event photos.” Next month’s luncheon is Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 11:30 a.m. in the back room at the Dock where Executive Director Marvin Jones will talk about taking advantage of your chamber membership. To register: Networking Luncheon registration

 

DOING BUSINESS WITH THE FEDS: At the Networking Luncheon Wednesday, Anthony Hayes of .Com Advertising (shown at left) noted that even small businesses now have a chance at landing lucrative contracts with the federal government. From toilet paper to web design, the government is looking to do business with all sizes of businesses. To learn more, here’s the website Tony mentioned at the luncheon: www.FedBizOpps.gov. If you’re further interested, there’s a workshop set for Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth from 6-8:30 p.m. The cost is $29. For more information, email lmusick@shawnee.edu or call 740-351-3304.

 

LAST CALL FOR GOLF OUTING: We still have room for about five more teams for the chamber’s annual golf outing set for Thursday, Sept. 25 at Running Fox Golf Course. It kicks off with registration starting at 8 a.m. and a shotgun start at 9. We’ll have hot dogs and beverages early followed by a steak dinner after play is done. This year, we’ll also feature the chance to win a new Chrysler Pacifica by sinking a hole in one on number 18, courtesy of Herrnstein Chrysler Dodge Jeep Mitsubishi. This is in conjunction with a test drive program in which participants will receive a sleeve of golf balls and the First Capital District gets a donation made by Chrysler. We’re also still taking items that can go into a welcome package for the golfers (we’ll need about 140) and items that can be used for skill prizes. Give the chamber a call if you’d like to participate. If you’d like to play, register here: Golf outing registration

 

A SCARY FIGURE: In a speech this week, Brian Hicks, former chief of staff for Gov. Bob Taft, said Ohio lost 118,000 manufacturing jobs between March 2002 and March 2003. “Those jobs will not come back,” he said. “They’re going to Mexico and China and other places. Too many young people are moving out of state because of lack of opportunities.” Hicks’ private consulting firm is now pushing the governor’s Third Frontier bond proposal which is Issue 1 on the ballot in November.

 

TIME FOR BUSINESS AFTER BUSINESS: Stevenson Center at Ohio University-Chillicothe will be the site for Wednesday’s BAB from 5-7 p.m. In addition to the usual food, beverages and prizes, participants will get a chance to learn more about the new Wellness Center housed in Shoemaker Center, a few steps away. Make sure to register: BAB registration

 

VPP AT THE SAFETY COUNCIL: The elements of a Voluntary Protection Program will be discussed at Thursday’s luncheon of the Ohio Valley Safety Council. Representatives from GE and DuPont will be on hand to talk about the program which is a partnership between companies and OSHA to reduce workplace injuries. It will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Ross County Service Center. The cost is $8 per person. To register: Safety Council registration

 

NEW MEMBERS: Here’s who’s joined the chamber this past week:

 

HAVE AN IDEA FOR THE CHAMBER?: Ever thought the chamber should undertake a project or should consider other benefits, but didn’t have the time to let us know? Now we’ve made it easier than ever with a link on our homepage to a form that can be submitted online in just a few seconds. It’s a good way to make suggestions or let us know about something that’s on your mind. Go to: www.chillicotheohio.com.

 

GET ‘EM AND HOLD ‘EM: Employees, that is. “Results-Oriented Selection and Retention” are the topics for the two-session, one-day Workforce Academy set for Monday, Sept. 29 at the Ross County Service Center. Steve Hummel of Transitions Unlimited! will lead the morning (8:30-11:45) session of selecting employees as well as the afternoon (1-4:15) one on retention. The cost is $10 for one or $15 for both. Lunch will be available for attendees of both sessions. To register: Workforce Academy registration

 

LOCAL STUDENT WINS AWARD: Alex Buskirk of Unioto High School was one of 10 students from 167 schools selected for a “Student of Integrity” award from the Better Business Bureau Foundation. The purpose of the award is to recognize high school seniors who personify ethics through leadership, community service, overall personal integrity and academic history. Each school was asked to select a student and submit an application to the bureau that covers 21 counties. Buskirk will receive a $1,000 scholarship to a college of his choice. He will be honored at a program in Columbus on Sept. 24.

 

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR COLLEGE: If you know of a young person (over age 19) whose parents didn’t go to college, but who is thinking about it, but needs a nudge, Margaret Daniels might be able to help. She is one of 13 coordinators throughout the state in a federally funded program that encourages people like this to continue their education. She can help them decide on a career, find the best place to go to school, help complete financial aid forms and anything else to get the person to continue. She’s available for workshops and as a speaker. For more information, contact here at daniels@horizonview.net.

 

BACK WITH BROWN: Mondel Clark is now back with Brown Publishing’s Pike County News-Watchman and resumes her role with the chamber’s Networking Committee.

 

VENDORS LICENSES: These businesses recently received a vendors license from the county auditor:

 

CHAMBER CALENDAR:

 

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