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FOSTORIA AREA BUSINESS NEWSLETTER
July 2023
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Building a Vibrant Community Through Dynamic Partnerships | |
Fostoria CO.STARTERS Program featured in CO.STARTERS Blog | |
How a Chamber of Commerce Is Fostering Innovation in Ohio | CO.STARTERS | Only a few years ago, downtown Fostoria, Ohio was full of vacant, rundown buildings. The rural community's population of only 13,400 people wasn't enough to justify a large chain vendor. As a result, the town desperately lacked retail businesses. The Fostoria Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Fostoria Economic Development Corporation, stepped up to the challenge. | | | |
Dionna Brenamen // Java's Enchanted Bean | CO.STARTERS | |
Dionna Brenamen is the owner of Java's Enchanted Bean , a coffee and tea cafe in Fostoria, Ohio. Her business is supported by the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce , a local CO.STARTERS partner. When Dionna Brenamen, from the small town of Fostoria, Ohio, was coming up on her 30th anniversary of working in Insurance and Finance, she realized that she had reached a crossroads.
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Our recent guest, Rebekah Marr, CO.STARTERS Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer joins us on the couch to talk all things CO.STARTERS. Learn how it all began and what is next for CO.STARTERS. | The podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple and Google. Learn more and follow Shut Up & Listen: Small Town Stories on Facebook and Instagram. | |  |
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FEDC Launches Third Video in Workforce Series
The third in a series of 8 videos titled, Riding Around with Renee, has been released. Each video will feature a large company and a corresponding small business. The videos will provide high level exposure for companies that can be promoted to adults and youth on industries located in their own backyards. The first video featured Mennel Milling and Dunkin Donuts, the second video features Bridgett Mundy, BVHS and Java's Enchanted Bean, and the most recent features Clouse Construction and JB Twisters.
Find all three videos on YouTube-Riding Around with Renee.
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Sarah Stephens Krupp, Chamber/Small Business Director, Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce will be changing roles as of August 1. Stephens Krupp has accepted a position with Fostoria Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) as a Project Administrator.
“FEDC is a strong organization that has been instrumental in the development of the Fostoria Learning Center, community projects, large- and small-scale development and an advocate and partner of the Chamber for decades. I am excited for the opportunity to take on new economic development challenges and to assist FEDC in serving its members and the City of Fostoria in even greater ways through building organizational capacity.” Stephens Krupp said.
“The work that Sarah has accomplished in her role as Chamber/Small Business Director has been exciting to witness and her advancement to the role of Project Administrator will give her new projects and challenges,” according to Renee Smith, President of the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation. “With Sarah in a new role and a new Chamber Director coming on board I think this provides our members and the community with new opportunities.”
Stephens Krupp has served as the Chamber/Small Business Director for 7 years during which the Chamber has grown and strengthened its financial footing. The Chamber, in partnership with the Fostoria Learning Center and the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation, has built a strong entrepreneurial network through various programs including CO.STARTERS. Stephens Krupp will continue to facilitate CO.STARTERS and assist with small business and entrepreneurial development.
Stephens Krupp added, “Transitioning to a new role at FEDC is really the best of both worlds. It will allow me to assist the incoming Chamber Director, as needed, and develop the new Project Administrator role with FEDC. I am looking forward to a new director bringing a fresh perspective to the Chamber.”
The Chamber Board of Directors has posted the Chamber Director position and interviews are currently taking place.
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Is there training your workforce needs? Let us know and remember, any course may be customized to fit your needs. | |
We are working to set the dates for our fall classes. Be on the lookout for the Fall Catalog coming soon! | |
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Our training partner, CTS & Northwest State are looking for full & part time instructors. No degree required.
Seeking individuals with the following skills:
Industrial Electricity
Hydraulics/Pneumatics
Quality & Measurement
Industrial Mechanical
AutoCAD/Solid Works
Computer Hardware/Software
Welding
Leadership/Mentorship
Business
CDL & Logistics
Call or email Tori Atkinson if interested: 419-267-1219
tatkinson@northweststate.edu
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Upcoming Topics:
August: Informed Preparedness, September: Positive Safety Culture,
October: BWC Update, November: NARCAN Training, December: Stop the Bleed Training
All Safety Council meetings begin at 11:30 a.m. and are held at the Fostoria Learning Center. RSVP via email: Admin@FostoriaChamber.com
If you would like a lunch, you must RSVP.
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Halfway Point of Market Season!
The next Fostoria Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market will be held on Saturday, July 15th from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. To coincide with the “Good Old Summertime” theme, our market sponsor Great Lakes ACE Hardware will be grilling samples on a Traeger grill at The Parkette as well as hosting raffles to win Yeti products and grilling spices and rubs. In addition, Seneca Parks will be hosting a free presentation for all ages on Turtles of Seneca County. You can spend the hour learning about these prehistoric creatures – habitat, what they eat, life cycles and more. There will be live specimens on site. Our market continues to attract new vendors so be sure to check them out. As a reminder, the market is now held on Main Street between North and Center and on North Street by The Parkette. For more information to attend or to be a vendor at an upcoming Market, see 2023 Fostoria Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market Schedule – Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau (fostoriachamber.com)
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Ohio's Total Solar Eclipse
On Monday, April 8, 2024 residents and visitors across Ohio will experience a total solar eclipse. The path of totality will be greater than most eclipses and is expected to be about 124 miles wide and will stretch across 13 states. In Seneca County the center of totality will pass directly over Bloomville.
Fostoria will experience a total eclipse for 3 minutes 43.6 seconds. The eclipse will begin at 1:56 p.m. with totality at 3:11 p.m. Seneca County is expecting a huge influx of visitors to view the eclipse. County wide meetings are taking place and we will provide more information as the date nears.
In the meantime, we encourage business owners to be prepared for the influx of visitors and begin making plans to accommodate.
Learn more about the path of the 2024 eclipse:
Ohio Total Solar Eclipse
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Zender Electric
John Irwin, Edward D. Jones
Paul Cole Motors
The Mennel Milling Co.
MMC Transport
JB Twisters
Good Shepherd Home
Ohio Living
Clouse Professionals, Inc.
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Goddard Murphy
Dyer's Home Improvement
Heartland Real Estate Assoc.
Reineke Family Dealerships
Great Lakes Community Action Partnership
Peterman Associates
Better Business Bureau
KemoSabes Roadhouse Grill
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This month we are proud to highlight North St. Styling located at 237 W. North St.
Mary Jane Weinandy and her husband, Bill, renovated the historic building in 1976 to what is now North St. Styling Salon. A seven chair, full service hair salon that also provides facial waxing, lash lift, tint and extensions. Natalie and Brook Piper, along with Jeff and Pat Clagg purchased North St. Styling in 2003, and now celebrate 20 years of ownership. The Claggs are now enjoying retirement and Natalie and Brook continue to enjoy running the long standing business located in Fostoria's Historic District. Being a part of Fostoria's legacy and getting to service the citizens has been a joy over the last 2 decades. They are looking forward to many years to come!
North St. Styling, 419-435-4622
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Our members are doing GREAT things! | | |
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On Thursday, June 8 Ohio Logistics hosted a Ribbon Cutting to celebrate the opening of Room Six. Room Six is one of the most recent expansions to their Fostoria location and added 155,000 additional square feet giving a total of 750,000 square feet at the West Jones Road facility. Combined with their two other Fostoria locations (Corporate Drive & Sandusky Street), Ohio Logistics has over 1 million square feet of warehousing and logistic space for their customers.
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The expansion or “Room Six”, is already a Foreign Trade Zone for Whirlpool where we house their vendor managed inventory (VMI). Hundreds of suppliers from across the globe are stored at Fostoria, an average of 40+ inbounds and 40+ outbounds are handled each day with full real-time inventory visibility to all of our customers. Ohio Logistics Fostoria also provides rail access serving International Paper and Hirzel Canning with the benefits of intermodal shipping efficiencies.
Learn More: Video from Scanner Media
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New Permanent Sculpture Installed at Market Square Park! | |
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The Fostoria Garden Club commissioned a new sculpture entitled “Monarch”, which was just installed at Market Square Park. Last year, then FGC President Sue Gehring met with sculpture artist Pamela Reithmeier of Monclova, Ohio to discuss ideas for the sculpture, which is a permanent gift to the City of Fostoria.
We are pleased to welcome “Monarch” as another permanent sculpture to Fostoria’s growing collection of public art. Pamela’s sculptures have always been fan favorites in our Midwest Sculpture Initiative exhibits in Fostoria. Three of her pieces were purchased to remain in the community: “Brainstorm” is at the Fostoria Learning Center, “Blossom” is at Good Shepherd Home and “Dottie” was purchased by an individual. Another piece of hers entitled “Greater Than” at the Ray Dell Parking lot on South Street as part of our current MSI exhibit.
The City of Fostoria poured a concrete pad for “Monarch” and assisted with installation, Creative Concepts Landscaping prepared the area for the permanent flower bed and Fostoria Garden Club members planted perennials that will attract butterflies to this beautiful new area at Market Square Park.
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Thank you to TUWB Concert Sponsors: K Palmer Insurance,
JYoakam Communications, Clouse Construction, Lance Wood State Farm
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Fostoria Night of Praise
Fostoria Church of God is once again hosting Night of Praise. The event will take place Saturday, August 5 at Foundation Park. They are seeking investment from the local community to support this event. For more information about the event and how to donate, click here.
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Charitable University:
An educational forum for charities and their board members
Charities are critical in our communities. Board members have critical legal duties to ensure the effectiveness of those groups. Charitable University, a new learning platform developed by the Ohio Attorney General's Office, provides tools on some of the most important elements in leading a charitable organization: board governance, governmental filings, financial operations, and fundraising. The online platform is designed to help board members understand their legal obligations and learn the best practices for running their charities. Starting in 2023, nonprofits that apply for grants from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office are required to complete Charitable U. Register at charitable.ohioago.gov/Charitable-University.
Intro Video: https://youtu.be/Mvwb2eeUwhk
More Information: Charitable University Palm Card (ohioago.gov)
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PROMEDICA HOSTING ROBOTIC SURGERY DEMONSTRATIONS
Representatives from Intuitive Surgical will provide a demonstration of the Da Vinci® robotic arm that is used at ProMedica Memorial and Fostoria Community Hospitals. Those who attend can see firsthand how the robot operates, have an opportunity to operate the robot, and hear a presentation from one of ProMedica’s General Surgeons, Mennatallah Omar, MD. You can ask her any questions you may have.
Thurs., July 27
5:30 – 7 p.m.
ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital
(Inside Cafeteria on First Floor)
501 Van Buren St.
Fostoria, Ohio 44830
Seating is limited. Reserve your spot using the link below.
ProMedica Memorial Hospital
ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital
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ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital Auxiliary Awards Scholarships to Local Students
The ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital Auxiliary recently awarded scholarship funds totaling $2,000 to four local students.
· Maria Saltzman is a senior at Vanlue High School. She will attend the University of Findlay to study occupational therapy.
Ashley Daniel is a senior at Hopewell Loudon High School. She will attend The Ohio State University to study physical therapy.
· Alexis Smith is a senior at Tiffin Columbian High School. She will attend Baldwin Wallace University to study speech therapy.
· Cassandra Bechstein is a graduate of Elmwood High School and current student at The Ohio State University studying medical laboratory science.
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FOSTORIA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
AWARDS HEALTH CARE SCHOLARSHIPS
ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital Foundation awards $15,000 in scholarships to 16 local students studying for degrees in health care.
The scholarships were awarded on behalf of four scholarship funds administered by the Foundation Board. The funds were established by former physicians, nurses and their families to encourage healthcare careers.
Three scholarships were awarded from the G.H.W. Bruggemann Memorial Scholarship Fund which assists employees of ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital and their children. The recipients of this award were Abigail Beidelschies, Emily Bolton and Camryn Kidwell.
One scholarship was award from the Ruth Nichols Sollars Nursing Education Scholarship Fund which supports one nurse who is pursuing a higher nursing degree. This year’s recipient of this award was Hailey Welly.
Three scholarships were awarded from the J.L. Murphy Memorial Scholarship Fund which encourages careers in medicine. This year’s recipients of this award included Caroline Dye, Maryn Klaus and Nathaniel Mack.
Nine scholarships were awarded from the J.A. Murray Memorial Scholarship Fund which supports clinical careers and other hospital-based professionals. The recipients were Emily Brickner, Jessica Kreais, Emaline Lee, Kayleigh Lininger, Tia Overton, Sophie Piper, Olivia Shaferly, Carolyn Stewart and Brady Ziegler.
The ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital Foundation’s scholarship program has awarded $190,000 since its inception in 1997.
A Scholarship Reception was held May 16 for all scholarship recipients including winners of the ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital Auxiliary scholarship awards.
To learn more about Fostoria Community Hospital, visit www.promedica.org/fostoria.
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Things to see & do this fall right here in Fostoria... | |
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Learn how your Chamber Membership can save you $$$
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