Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update      September 19, 2003

 

STRONG SCHOOLS MEAN A STRONG COMMUNITY: That’s why the Board of Directors of your chamber has voted unanimously to urge voters to approve the four issues that will be on the Nov. 4 ballot for both the Chillicothe City Schools and the Pickaway-Ross Career and Technology Center. The Governmental Affairs Committee of the chamber researched the issues and felt strongly that approval of these issues would lead to better educations for today’s and the next generations of our children which means business and industry will continue to have a well-educated workforce. More information about the bond issues and levies will become available in coming weeks.

 

TWO PROMOTIONS IN ONE EVENT: Ohio University-Chillicothe got a chance this week to showcase not only its campus, but also its new Health and Wellness Center. The Business After Business at Stevenson Center was well-attended and gave folks a chance to catch up on the latest gossip while a shuttle service was available to take people to the new center housed in the Shoemaker Center up the hill. OU-C Dean Richard Bebee, shown at right, made the rounds in the crowd. More than 20 photos from the BAB are now on our website at BAB photos, registration where you also can register for next month’s affair at Southeastern Business College, co-sponsored by the Chillicothe Animal Clinic.

 

LIBRARY STANDS PROUD: Queen Lester of the board of the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library recently was named a Trustee of the Year by the state library group while Jennifer Thompson, chief local librarian, was elected to the state group’s board. The Northside Branch hosted this past week’s meeting of the chamber board. Thompson detailed for the board the library’s plans if it acquires Central Elementary School which was closed this year. If your company is interested in hosting the board and getting the chance to talk about your company, call the chamber office at 702-2722.

 

FINAL CALL: Monday will be the last day we can take registrations for the chamber’s annual golf outing. We have 31 teams and predictions for the weather right now are for a very nice day. The winners of the scramble at Running Fox Golf Course will get engraved mugs from Etched in Our Memories as well as free admission to next year’s event. A steak dinner will be available right after the round and snacks and beverages will be available all day long. And don’t forget about coming out to take a test drive. Chrysler, which is staking a new Pacifica as the prize for a hole-in-one on No. 18, is donating money to the First Capital District for each drive. Click here to register: Golf outing registration

 

CLIMATE IS DOWNRIGHT CHILLY: Not that it was much of a surprise, but the Tax Foundation released its latest “State Business Tax Climate Index” which ranked Ohio 47th in the nation. Only Arkansas, California and Mississippi were worst. The best? Wyoming, New Hampshire, Nevada, Colorado and Alaska. The foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization that monitors fiscal policies at the federal, state and local levels, said common characteristics of states in the bottom ten are: complex, multi-rate corporate and individual tax codes that impose above-average tax rates; above-average sales tax rates that exempt few business input items; high overall state tax burdens and revenues that have grown faster than citizens’ incomes; and tax codes that impose considerable compliance costs on businesses. For the complete 28-page, downloadable report, go to www.taxfoundation.org/businesstaxclimate.html.

 

Text Box: It’s Fabulous Friday Don’t forget that tonight is Fabulous Friday Night in downtown Chillicothe, complete with a cruise-in. Paint Street from Second to Water will be closed to allow shoppers, diners and others to enjoy the festivities of the Downtown Associates. NEW ADDITIONS LOCALLY:

 

NEWEST MEMBERS:

 

 MEMBERSHIP PUSH TO START: A goal of 50 new members has been set for the Membership Drive of the chamber that runs the week of Oct. 6-10. Headed by former chairman Connie Smart, the Marketing and Membership Committee will be sending out advance materials then following up with personal visits and phone calls. Every member, though, can get involved by asking their colleagues to join. The best way might be to point prospects to our website where information about the chamber is available as well as an online application.

 

PIONEER CELEBRATION: The 50th anniversary of Pioneer School is being celebrated Sunday, 1-4 p.m. at the school on County Road 550. There will be all sorts of games and activities for kids.

 

VENDORS LICENSES: These are businesses which recently filed for vendors licenses with the county auditor:

 

UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS: The July unemployment figures for Ross County from the state show the county at 6.5 percent (or 2,400 people) which is a drop from 7.2 percent in June and up only slightly from 6.1 percent in July last year. The figures are not seasonally adjusted.

 

DOWNTOWN SHOP TO RE-OPEN: Gary and Loretta Boydston are working hard to re-open The Children’s Clothier on North Paint Street in its former location. Janet Smith, the previous owner, is helping as a consultant to the Boydstons.

 

PROTECTION WAS THE PROGRAM: About 15 people attended Thursday’s luncheon of the Ohio Valley Safety Council which featured aspects of Voluntary Protection Programs, a joint venture between businesses and OSHA. Representatives from GE (shown at left) and DuPont were on hand to talk about their programs and how it’s reduced injuries for them. Photos from the event are available by going to the safety council page at Safety Council

 

CANDIDATES NIGHTS START: Candidates for the ward and at-large races for Chillicothe City Council will be first up for the chamber’s Candidates Night this Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Ross County Service Center. Each candidate will have five minutes to talk about the issues they feel are important, including those which affect the business community. Because of time, questions won’t be asked, but the candidates will be available afterwards to chat individually. It’s a good opportunity to learn where our future leaders stand on issues important to all of us. And it is open to the public. On Sept. 30, candidates for president of council, law director and mayor will be on hand, same time, same place.

 

CHAMBER CALENDAR:

 

You are receiving this message as a service of the chamber. If you’d like to be omitted from future messages, either reply and ask to unsubscribe or call the chamber office at 702-2722. To stay abreast of all chamber activities, make sure to visit www.chillicotheohio.com frequently. Contents copyrighted by the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce.