Member News

• Green Valley Golf Club would like to "Thank" everyone who participated in their 40th Anniversary, Customer Appreciation Days on Saturday, October 22, at Green Valley. Earlier in the week, we were very doubtful that we were going to get to play on that Saturday because of the weather. But on Saturday morning, the sun came out and so did the golfers. We ended up with around 130 players, and everyone had a great time. It is because of customers like you that businesses can maintain and keep their heads above water for 40 years, especially through the tuff times that we are now experiencing. I would also like to thank all the area businesses that donated so many fine gifts. We ended up with around 53 gifts that were raffled off throughout the day. 
• Soroptimist International of Zanesville is currently accepting applications for a scholarship program they sponsor. The scholarship is the Virginia Wagner Award.  This award honors the effort and scholarship of a woman attending a college or university to earn a bachelors, masters or doctoral degree.  The winner receives $500 and is sent to the district and region for further judging. This application can be downloaded from Soroptimist Midwestern Region web site and is due on January 15, 2012.  Applications are due to Valencia Clark, 2970 E. Military Rd. Zanesville, Ohio  43701.
• Peoples Bank proudly presents the Business Insight Series webinars for owner-managed businesses. Each free, 60-minute webinar will provide timely insights on key areas of interest for business owners. Visit HelpGrowMyBiz.comto register for the webinar(s) that interest you. Enjoy lunch on us! After you register, we will send you a $10 gift card for Subwayjust for attending. To learn more about how Peoples Bank can help your business, visit HelpGrowMyBiz.comtoday! Visit HelpGrowMyBiz.comtoday to register or to learn more Choose from any of the following webinars. You can attend as many as you like. Our Business Insight Series Includes: Investments and Insurance - What You Need to Know for Your Business, Staci Matheney and Laura Covault, Peoples Bank on 1/25/12 and 2/1/12; Using Social Media for Small Business Growth, Kendra Ramirez, Manager, Open Commerce, Ascendum Solutions on 1/11/12 and 1/18/12; Government Programs Available: How Can They Help?,SBA Executive on 2/22/12 and 2/29/12; Marketing on a Shoestring Budget, Bruce Clapp, President, MarketMatch on 2/8/12 and 2/1/12. All start times are 12:00 noon.

Welcome New Members!

Please join us in welcoming these new members to the Chamber.  You can find their contact information in our online directory at zmchamber.com.  Thanks and welcome!

Sunrise Strikes

Fun Factor Photo Booth

Another Area Company Invests in Economic Development

Last month we informed you about two area companies - Fabri-Form Co. and Rankin & Rankin Insurance Services - which recently invested in the Muskingum Growth Partnership. We are very pleased to announce that a third company - Delta Alarm Company - has also become an investor.

Thanks to firms like Delta Alarm for demonstrating leadership and understanding the importance of private sector investment in economic development. They clearly understand that investing in the partnership is an investment in their business and its local marketplace.

The community is currently presented with some opportunities for significant economic recovery and growth. Specifically, development related to shale gas and oil exploration will have a positive impact if we can recruit companies in that industry to locate here. Also, the new Muskingum County Business Incubator has the potential to impact the area through the creation of home grown small businesses. But both initiatives need private sector support to succeed.

To learn more about MGP's campaign to support these and other development programs visit the MGP website or contact Dana Matz at dmatz@zmchamber.com or 455-8282.

Come Learn About Shale Opportunities

We are pleased to announce that entrepreneur and radio broadcaster Ron Morris is coming in January to talk to Chamber members about business opportunities related to shale development in Ohio. Ron is host of the American Entrepreneur radio show in Pittsburgh and creator of the groundbreaking audio series "Marcellus Shale", which discusses the economic impact of shale oil and gas development on western Pennsylvania.

Ron, an entrepreneur who made his fortune in the software industry and now shares his experience through teaching and broadcasting, will talk about the business opportunities that have resulted from Marcellus shale drilling in Pennsylvania. Come learn how businesses there have taken advantage of shale oil and gas development and what you might expect to see in our area as shale exploration moves westward into Ohio.

The event will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm on January 18, 2012 at the Muskingum County Business Incubator. Admission is free to chamber members. Please make a reservation by emailing jriddle@zmchamber.com .

What Is One Well Worth?

What is the economic impact of one well drilled into the shale layers that are producing so much gas and oil - and excitement - these days? The University of Pittsburgh has attempted to answer that question by doing a study on the supply chain of a Marcellus shale well. You can find a report on the study at http://www.iee.pitt.edu/sites/default/files/PittMarcellusShaleEconomics2011_0.pdf. 

Why Renewal Is Important To Your Business

It's membership renewal time at the Chamber, and we want to remind you why it is important to renew your membership as soon as possible. Below is a checklist you can use as we approach 2012 to be sure you are getting the most for your membership.

How To Get The Most FromYour Membership In 2012

Use these value added services and your membership can pay for itself!

• Customize your business listing into a full page of information in the online directory at our website, www.zmchamber.com. This web directory gets thousands of hits every year - will they find you when they do a search?
• Offer an online Hot Deal via our website to your fellow members to promote a sale, special promotion, or discount.
• Check out the Hot Deals offered by others to see where you can save. You can also pass these deals on to your workforce as an employee benefit.
• Has your company been recognized for recent successes? Hired someone new? Offering a new product? Let us know and we will publicize it in the chamber's twice-monthly email newsletter.
• Send out a chamber email marketing blast to 850 emails for only $50, or put 1,000 flyers in our monthly mailing for $100.
• Download the Chamber member logo from zmchamber.com and display it on your websites, printed materials and other communications.
• Review the "business practices" survey results on our website to see how others deal with common challenges, and participate in one of the upcoming surveys.
• Enter your business events on our web-based calendar of events.
• Update your contact information so that our printed annual Buyer's Guide has the most current information about your business.
• Purchase a new "Marketing Package" and save on ways to promote your business through the Chamber
• Look into the group rated workers' comp plan and the health insurance discount offered to chamber members.
• Post an update about your company on the Chamber's Facebook page.
• Attend the next educational seminar or legislative event hosted by the Chamber - and bring a guest - use Chamber functions to offer value to your clients and customers.
• Nominate your business for an ACES award, which recognizes economic growth and other business accomplishments.
• Become a "fan" of the Chamber's new Facebook page and get updates on chamber activities, member services and business how-to information
• Do business with another Chamber member, just because they ARE a member...and ask them to reciprocate.
• Place your business cards and brochures in our lobby racks.
• Attend the next member event or art walk to network with other members.
• Prominently display your chamber membership certificate and door sticker (studies show that consumers are more likely to trust and patronize a business that is a chamber member).

As a member, you are entitled to these benefits and services, and you just need to initiate the process to take advantage of each. Contact Dana Matz at dmatz@zmchamber.com or 455-8282 today about how to do any of the above.

YOU Are The Reason For Our Success

The Festival of Trees was again a big success, and we want to thank everyone that participated and made it possible to again exceed our goal. Special thanks go out to WHIZ Media Group, Ron Bucci, Century National Bank, Genesis Healthcare System, The Times Recorder, Economy Linen, Honeybaked Ham, Zandex Healthcare, Clearpath Utility Soluntions, North Valley Bank, Wal Mart, Zemba Bros., numerous volunteers, and of course all of our entrants and buyers. For a complete list of auction results please visit http://www.zmchamber.com/fot/FOT%202011%20Results.htm .

Safety Council to Discuss Fire Hazards

The Zanesville-Muskingum County Safety Council will meet on Wednesday, December 21 for its monthly meeting and the subject is fire safety.

The presenters will be Eric Waltemire and Kevin Melick representing the Mid East Career & Technology Centers Adult Education Program. Eric is the Fire Training Coordinator at Mid-East and Assistant Fire Chief for the City of Zanesville. Kevin is an OSHA instructor at Mid East Career and Technology Centers.

The meeting is from 8:00 am to 9:00 am at Zanesville Country Club and a buffet breakfast is served. Anyone is welcome to attend - the cost to attend is $11 per person. Please make a reservation if you plan to attend by calling 455-8282 or emailing jriddle@zmchamber.com.

BWC Board Approves Changes 
The Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Board approved a maximum credibility of 53% for the July 2012 through June 2013 policy period. As a result, the maximum discount for Ohio's group rating program will increase from 51% to 53% over this same policy period. In addition to changing the maximum discount, BWC's Board eliminated the Break Even Factor which was previously used in calculating rates for companies in group rating programs.

BWC introduced a new employer option called the Destination: Excellence Program. This new risk management program is scheduled to become available July 1, 2012 and is intended to provide additional financial rebates and premium discounts to companies for successfully meeting claim management and safety related goals. More details regarding this program will be communicated as they become available.

BWC Administrator Buehrer indicated that one of the agency's goals is to increase return to work for injured workers. The Administrator stated this will be achieved by identifying process changes within BWC and working with industry partners such as TPAs, MCOs and medical providers. CareWorks Consultants encourages this approach and will continue to manage claims with the objective of returning injured workers to work as soon as medically possible.

To learn how much you can save on your workers' compensation premium, request a quote today by contactingJason Bainum with CareWorks Consultants at 1-800-837-3200 ext. 7114 / jason.bainum@ccitpa.com.

What You Should Do In 2012
Jeffrey Gitomer is an authority on sales, growth and marketing, and here's his advice about how you should approach 2012 in your business:

"The days of waiting to see what will happen, waiting to see when things will return to "normal," and waiting for a sure sign of recovery are over. You cannot afford to wait any longer. You cannot afford to "get by" until the economy is once again safe.

The definition of "safe" has pretty much been eradicated from the dictionary. Unless someone is safe sliding into second - and even then instant replay may prove them wrong.

Below is a list of actions for you to take right now. Not after the holidays. Not after the New Year. RIGHT NOW!"   Read the Rest!