Message From the President
As 2017 draws to a close, we continue strides forward in our mission of community growth and development. 
We had a number of successes this year: The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure this past June, bringing 1,500 cyclists to town for two days, the 2017 Good Sam RV Rally, which brought 1,000 visitors to Tiffin, the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival, now coming up on its 40th year; along with many other events to help promote our community as a whole. 
Looking to 2018, we want to continue this momentum forward and build upon it. In January, we have a number of ribbon cuttings, and only expect more as the year goes on. 
Be sure to pick up your visitor guide, coming out this month, for upcoming events and new places to visit in Seneca County. 
Looking back on the past year, community involvement continues to grow, businesses continue to advance and our community continues to develop. With that, we cannot wait to see what 2018 will bring to Tiffin and Seneca County.
Casino Royale 2018
Mark your calendars for The Chamber’s 2018 Casino Royale Fundraiser! On Saturday, February 10 th, join The Chamber for a fun filled evening. This year’s musical entertainment will be Jersey – The Bruce Springsteen Tribute! Tickets are available for purchase at The Chamber.
The Casino Royale is a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day! For more information, visit tiffinchamber.com or call 419-447-4141. 
We are looking for Event Sponsors for this premier event. Event Sponsors receive 4 Reverse Raffle Tickets, a special reserved table and have a chance to win an additional Raffle Ticket after the 182 nd ticket is pulled. Also, Event Sponsors are listed on the flyer along with their logos. May we add your logo?
Table and Prize Sponsors are also needed to make this event a success!  
If your business is able to support the Chamber, call Deb today! View the flyer and event sponsors here!
The deadline for entries is Friday, January 12, 2018. Entries may be dropped off at the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library or the Chamber office during regular office hours. 
Christmas Essay Contest – Deadline is January 12!
The Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Services is sponsoring a writing contest. The contest is open to students in Pre-K through twelfth grade. New for this year, adults may participate. The participant must live in Seneca County or the event must have taken place in Seneca County. 
The theme is a happy Christmas memory. 
The essay is limited to 2 typed pages or 4 pages if hand written and age appropriate grammar is expected. Students that have not learned to write yet, may tell their story to another person. 
Stories do not have to be typed, but they must be legible. All stories must be original work and the name must be on each page.
Parents/Guardians will have to sign a waiver when the essay is submitted. One essay will be chosen to be read by the author at the 2018 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. 
Congrats to Assured Title on winning the 2017 Window Contest!
Upcoming Events

January 1: Happy New Year!
January 19: Ambassador Meeting

For more information, please visit our new  Community Calendar , which has complete and up-to-date information on all these events. We hope to see you there!
Be a Part of History!
Help us fill the Seneca County Justice Center with your information to be opened in 2067!
Fill in your business's information and post a photo by completing the Time Capsule Business Survey and tell us about your family in the Time Capsule Family Survey.
Join us in traveling through time by adding your selfie or message to the Seneca County Justice Center Time Capsule! 
Post a selfie to the future by posting your selfie with the hashtag #SelfieTo2067, and write a message to the future with the hashtag #MessageTo2067.
Coloring Contest
The Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Services is holding a Coloring Contest using the Tiffin Montage Prints. Community Creations and Bruce Loeschen, artist created the Tiffin Montage Prints and are allowing their use for this fundraiser.  The entry fee is $20 plus tax. If a participant wishes to keep the original print as it is, they may purchase a copy for an additional fee of $2.99 plus tax. This must be done at the same time.
The participants may use one or all of the following: colored pencils, markers, chalk*, pastels, crayons. *Chalk must be sprayed with a fixative. 
Participants may not sign or put their name on the print until the judging is completed. Numbers will be posted on the back of the print until they are judged. Entries will be judged on their use of color, creativity and general overall appeal. One will be selected as best of show and will receive $100 Chamber Cash.  
Participants have a long time to complete the project. The completed entry cannot be turned in early. Entries will be accepted from April 4th to April 7th. The entries should be turned at the Tiffin Art Guild during their regular business hours. A registration form will be filled in at that time.  
The Tiffin Art Guild will host a Show for all entries with a Grand Opening Celebration for the show on April 12th. Entries will be on display at the museums and Tiffin Art Guild through May.
Fundraiser for Local Museums and Tiffin Art Guild
   The American Civil War Museum, 217 S. Washington St.; The Enchanted Moment Doll Museum, 174 Jefferson St.; Seneca County Museum, 28 Clay St.; Tiffin Art Guild, 130 S. Washington St.; Grammes-Brown House, 172 Jefferson St., and Tiffin Glass Museum, 25 – 27 S. Washington St. have Tiffin Prints for sale for $20. The Tiffin Montage Prints were created by Community Creations and donated by the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce to the museums and art guild. 
   Frames for the prints are available to purchase at Frameworks, 643 Miami St., Ste. 4 and Tiffin Glass & Mirror, 204 W. Market St.  
Digital Billboards Wanted!
   If you're looking to advertise your business or upcoming event, contact us to place it on our digital billboard at the corner of SR 18 and US 224!
   Cost is $125 a month. Time frame can be negotiated. 
   Contact Deb at 419-447-4141. 
Congrats to Zeis Companies on their Ribbon Cutting, After Five, & Open House on December 12!

"I'd like to thank everyone for coming. We never had a plan to move, but it came up for sale and we had outgrown our place. It seemed like a good opportunity to make the move. Hands down, I have the best employees in the world. They show up every day and their talents are phenomenal; most have been with me several years. We also have a great group of subcontractors who work with us regularly. Most importantly I would like to thank our customers. To me, the friendships I've made along the way is one of the biggest rewards. I have gained several customers who have become long lasting friends. I am so blessed to live in this community and have this opportunity. Thank you all for coming."
Congrats to Ironwood Steakhouse on their Ribbon Cutting on December 4!

Ironwood Steakhouse and Black Birch Bar located in Tiffin, Ohio is now open to the public and welcomes both walk-ins and reservations. Chef Jimmy Jones and Chef Wes Castle create culinary innovation by preparing perfect cuts of tender steak, seafood, and unique entrees in sync with their hand-picked wine and dessert menu. On-site catering and private dining available by reservation. Chelsey Peterson, Ironwood's exclusive in-house events director creates an unforgettable experience for every private dining event.
SMALL BUSINESS BASICS SEMINARS SET FOR JANUARY 2018
The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra State Community College is offering free, two-hour seminars, “Small Business Basics,” that will answer questions about starting, buying or expanding a small business.
This seminar will take the confusion out of your efforts and help you avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary steps. Learn the basics of name registration, licensing, taxes, zoning, business entities, employees, insurance, financing and business planning. The January schedule is:

  • Wednesday, January 3 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Ottawa County Improvement Corporation (conference room), 8043 W. S.R. 163, Oak Harbor
  • Wednesday, January 10 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce (conference room), 19 W. Market Street, Tiffin
  • Wednesday, January 17 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Erie County Chamber of Commerce (conference room), 604 W. Washington Street, Sandusky
  • Wednesday, January 24 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Terra State Community College
  • (Building D, Room 115), 2830 Napoleon Road, Fremont

These events are free and open to the public. To register or for more information, contact Bill Auxter, Director of the Ohio Small Business Development Center at 419-559-2210 or [email protected].

Tiffin Community YMCA Swim Invitational Sponsorships
The 2018 Tiffin Invitational is nearly upon us. This year we are offering several opportunities to sponsor this event. Attached you will see sponsor forms for banners (both individual and shared) that will hang in the Tiffin Community YMCA natatorium for 12 months. Additionally, we offer sponsorship ads in our heat sheets, which are sold to competitors and spectators the day of the event. 
What a great way to advertise your business and show your support our young athletes this year. We thank you for considering sponsoring the Tiffin Community YMCA Torpedoes Swim Team!
Heidelberg seeks nominations for Women Entrepreneur Awards     
The School of Business, Computer Science and Information Technology at Heidelberg University is accepting nominations for its annual Women Entrepreneur Awards program.
Each spring, in conjunction with The Patricia Adams Lecture Series, the university hosts “Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs” to honor local women entrepreneurs who have excelled in four categories: Young Entrepreneur (younger than 18 years old); New Entrepreneur (in business less than 2 years); Established Entrepreneur (in business 2-plus years); and Lifetime Achievement.
One recipient will be selected in each category, based on success in business, innovation in concept and execution, and community impact. The awards will be presented during a program and reception on campus in early April in conjunction with Heidelberg’s Executive-in-Residence program and The Patricia Adams Lecture Series.
The 2018 recipients will follow in the footsteps of some outstanding local/area entrepreneurs, including last year’s recipients: Lori Mastro, executive vice president of operations and regional manager of the Mastro Group Units and co-owner of Tiffin’s Buffalo Wild Wings, New Entrepreneur; Linda Reis, vice president, secretary/treasurer of Ballreich Potato Chips and Snacks, and her daughter, Haley Thomas, director of sales and marketing at Ballreich; and Sharon Gosche, owner of The Clover Club, Lifetime Achievement Award.
If you would like to nominate an outstanding woman entrepreneur, please email your nomination to [email protected]. The nomination should include the following information: nominee’s name, nominee’s business enterprise, and the category of award in which you wish to place the nominee. If you are not sure which category is applicable to the candidate, it is acceptable to only include the name of the nominee and name of the business. Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 31.
For additional information, contact Michele Upton at (419) 448-2280 or email [email protected] .