July 1, 2019 - In This Issue:
MIKE'S MUSINGS
A note from the desk of CRCC President and CEO Mike Throne:

When something big happens, you tend to look around the room, celebrate, and the tendency from there is to move on, but it's also important to reflect, remember, and focus on what got you there.

As we bask in the glow of last week's choice of Chillicothe for the Best Downtown Revitalization Award from APEG/API, I recall a meeting in late 2006 that began the process to help downtown regain its luster.
       
In a large conference room at Petland's Riverside Street offices, a group of people gathered to find out if community leaders - both those in and out of government - genuinely wanted to change downtown.

Honestly, it seemed like a heavy lift at the time. As a group, we knew what we wanted - a rejuvenated and healthy downtown - but the Carlisle Building fire just three years earlier created a paralysis that we couldn't shake.

It was going to take a lot of effort from everyone.

Marvin Jones, then the President and CEO of the Chamber, was a driving force in getting a downtown study done and when the completed plan arrived some six months later, he got to work to push for the changes necessary to create what you see today.

No discussion of the downtown renaissance is complete without giving credit to Adena Health System, however. They took the chance on a building that many thought should be torn down or turned into a parking garage. Then-CEO Mark Shuter and the board, as well as the Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation, the Chesler Group, APEG, and others went out on a limb to take care of the Number 1 "catalyst" project on the HyettPalma list.

The unsung heroes of our downtown comeback are those building owners who followed the Carlisle rebirth with the money, sweat equity and drive to refurbish their buildings and the small business entrepreneurs who followed with their dreams and determination to build a new legacy for the heart of Ohio's First Capital. The folks that brought us Totem Supply Co., The Dock at Water, Mighty Children's Museum, Paper City Coffee, R Kitchen on Paint, Tecumseh Trading Co., and many, many more.

Sure, we had a few tax breaks and a little help along the way, but what we discovered was while you can get a hand from people outside the community, we had to make the difference ourselves - with our effort. We had to look within before we could seek help from others.

We do have unfinished business. If you look at the HyettPalma report, there are items that we haven't addressed. We don't have to do them because a 2007 list says so, but we should relook at them and decide if they are still issues. If they are, it's time to address them. We can be proud of our success while always looking at what's next.

Let's enjoy the moment, but prepare ourselves for what's ahead. It takes a lot of effort - but it always has.

Michael Throne
President/CEO
Chillicothe-Ross Chamber of Commerce
45 E. Main St., Chillicothe, OH 45601
Office: 740-702-2722
Fax: 740-702-2727
 
B.I.G. Class looking for nominations
Ever wanted to learn more about leadership while getting to know more about your community?
The Chamber's B.I.G. (Business, Industry, and Government) Class can help. The class helps middle managers, professionals new to town, small business owners, and others learn from the leadership and management styles of the area's top CEOs and professionals while also growing your own capacity to lead.

Our upcoming class starts in September and continues through May. 

For more information, call Bobbi Kellough at 740-702-2722.
Welcome our new members!  

Our Chamber membership continues to grow and we've added 32 members in the second quarter. The latest businesses to commit their investment in our Chamber (and to help their business grow and thrive) are:


Participate in the 2019 Community Health Survey
Survey closes Friday

It's a busy holiday week, but it's worth the investment of 15 minutes or so to help the entire community assess the most pressing health needs in the region. Local residents are asked 
urged to complete the 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment Survey. The input provided is intended to help Adena Health System and local agencies identify the most prominent health needs of people living in each of the three counties.

The anonymous surveys are easy to complete and focus on the respondent's perception of the health issues facing their community, as well as their own overall health and conditions. It should take no longer than five minutes to complete. Results will be analyzed later this summer, with a report expected to be complete in the early fall. Once released, the report will explain the survey findings, and ways in which Adena and other local agencies plan to address those community needs.
 
Each survey is available online through July 5 at adena.org/chna .
 
Paper copies are available at Adena Health System, the Ross County Health District, Hopewell Health Centers and Scioto Paint Valley facilities.
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS      

July 2 - RIBBON CUTTING: Shane Maier, State Farm, 133 Star Drive, 10 a.m.

July 4 - INDEPENDENCE DAY - Chamber offices closed

July 9 - RIBBON CUTTING: Lyndi Lou's Children's Boutique, 80 W. Water St., 3 p.m.

July 12 - Par Mar Stores Valero Open, 8:30 a.m., Jaycees Golf Course

July 16 - Lunch with 12 Strangers, 11:30 a.m., Tumbleweed restaurant

July 17 - Business After Business at Adena Mansion and Gardens, 5 to 7 p.m.

July 24 - Greater Chillicothe Women in Business, 11:30 at Chillicothe Country Club

July 27 - Christmas in July Bar Crawl, downtown

July 30 - EPIC Lunch and Learn, LinkedIn, 11:30 a.m., Carlisle Building Community Room
 

 
For more information or to register for any of these events please call 740-702-2722 or 
visit the Chamber Calendar at www.chillicotheohio.com
 

2019 PREMIUM MEMBERS

Platinum Level
Adena Health System
Advanced Services Heating and Cooling
Atomic Credit Union
C. Walters Management
Central Ohio Financial Services
Chillicothe City Schools
Chillicothe Paints
Classic Brands
Horizon
Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC 
Kenworth Truck Co.
Kingston National Bank
Landmark Properties Group LLC
McDonald's
Ohio University- Chillicothe
Printex Same Day Printing
Ross County Banking Center
Signature HealthCARE of Chillicothe
WesBanco

Gold Level
National Church Residences   
Staff Source 


Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce
45 E Main Street *  Chillicothe, OH 45601
P: (740) 702-2722   F: (740) 702-2727
mthrone @chillicotheohio.com

The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce promotes economic and community development by providing services and addressing issues important to business.