August 11, 2017 - In This Issue:
A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO 
 
For many, this has been a fun-filled week attending the Ross County Fair, including several area businesses who gave employees time off to enjoy the fair.

One of the things that I have always noticed and appreciated is the amount of time, energy and financial support our local and regional business community spends in supporting the fair and the youth who are involved in 4H and FFA. Thousands upon thousands of dollars are spent every year on exhibits, sponsorships and purchasing livestock. It shows how much our business community believes in the efforts of the Ross County Agricultural Society, Junior Fair Board and our active participants at the fair. I want to say thank you for your support, encouragement, and financial backing year after year. It's one of the reasons the Ross County Fair is always one of the best fairs in the state of Ohio.

Work continues on efforts to bring "one voice" to our community for advocacy, promotion and event planning...especially for historic downtown Chillicothe. Earlier this week, paperwork was filed with the Ohio Secretary of State's office for the dissolution of Downtown Associates, Inc. This organization was started in 1971 as an advocacy and association group for downtown businesses and property owners. Over the years, the chamber has been asked four times to assist with the managing of the organization. In January of this year, the fifth request was made. After several meetings with members and a lot of discussion, the membership of the Downtown Associates voted to disband. In reality, all but five of the DTA members were also chamber investors. The chamber will continue our role in advocacy, planning events and market for not only the downtown, but as the "one voice" for Chillicothe and Ross County. The chamber began in 1888 as a board of trade and became a chamber of commerce in 1912 as an organization to represent business and industry. Today, we continue as a strong organization led by a devoted board of directors and a competent and professional staff to be the voice for business and industry. We will continue to look for ways to improve our relationship with community leaders, government officials and those seeking to do business here. The chamber will continue to build new programs, redefine and inspire our committees to work with government, hold them accountable, and continue to help our region grow and prosper. All of this couldn't be done without the support of the membership, board, staff and government leaders who work with us every day. All working together, we're seeing positive change in our region. We're seeing new businesses coming to set up shop here. And we're seeing increased numbers in shoppers, visitors and dollars coming into our community.

Let's all continue to work together to make Chillicothe and Ross County what we all believe it can be. The best place to live, work, and visit.

Have a great weekend!


~Randy Davies
President & CEO 


UPDATE FROM CAREWORKSCOMP  
 
 
"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is the lightning that does the work."
~ Mark Twain

The summer is going by like lightning, and we hope you are able to enjoy great family time and maybe a summer adventure or two...it's not over yet!  As we approach the fall and the fourth quarter of the year, it is time to begin planning for a successful and profitable 2018.
 
There are only a few notable deadlines in August and September, but the True-Up deadline is veryimportant and there are only a few days left to do it. (If you have a large true-up credit, please note that BWC will credit this to any outstanding premium installment payments unless you specifically request a live check back from them.)
 
Upcoming important dates and deadlines:
 
*         August 15, 2017- due date for the policy year 2016 payroll true-up report! This report must be on file with BWC by that date, or your participation in discount and rating programs may be in jeopardy. Please see attachment for more details.
 
*         August 30, 2017- due date for the DFSP action plan (DFSP-5) for a 7/1 program start date. Please note this is for advanced level only.
 
*         September 30, 2017- "snapshot date" that BWC uses to capture costs in claims for the 2018 experience calculation.

Future Dating of BWC Premium Payments: As of June 30, BWC began allowing for future dating of premium payments, available through their website, www.bwc.ohio.gov . You can now schedule future payments to avoid missed or late payments and for true-up reconciliation.
 
Please note the following:
*         BWC only accepts ACH transactions for future dating
*         BWC does not allow future credit card payments
*         Since you select the payment date, be certain you have the correct premium installment deadlines for reference
*         Payment may be blocked by your bank; be sure to confirm the transaction was authorized
*         In case your bank requires it, the BWC debit blocker code is: #3311334187. It is your responsibility to provide this to your bank if necessary
If you would like to schedule multiple installment payments, you can do so through the "Accounts Receivable" screen by choosing different dates for each one. All payments must be ACH.  
 
2018 Group Programs: Group Rating renewals have been sent out to our current clients, and Group Rating and Group Retro invitations are being sent now through the end of summer. Businesses may have eligibility for multiple programs, or dual eligibility, in which case they have or will receive both a Group Rating invitation and a Group Retro invitation.  We are eager to discuss what looks best financially, and in form and function. Here's to another tremendous year of administrating successful workers' comp savings programs for our clients!
 
New Payroll Reporting Caps : For the 2017 policy year (7/1/17-6/30/18), BWC has updated the payroll reporting caps for corporate officers. The minimum reportable wage per person/per week is $451, and $1353 is the maximum.
 
Those affected by the payroll reporting limitation are defined by BWC as such:
 
Active executive officers of a corporation

Note: Officers are considered active if they are engaged in any work on behalf of the corporation.
 
  • Employers listed below who choose elective coverage (because they are not required to carry workers' compensation insurance).
    - Sole proprietors
    - Partnership
    - Family farm corporate officers
    - Limited liability company acting as a partnership
    - Limited liability company acting as a sole proprietor
    - Individual incorporated as a corporation (with no employees)
*         Non-officer board members are not subject to the officer minimum/maximum rules.

For the construction industry (those in Industry Group 4), the payroll limitation reporting cap is also $1353 . BWC states to " apply the weekly cap on an employee-by-employee basis. In the absence of weekly records, you can only take advantage of the cap on the whole payroll reporting basis. It makes no difference if the employee is full time, part time or seasonal. Section 125 cafeteria plan deductions must be deducted PRIOR to calculating the excess amount. Bonuses paid in the policy year are to spread out among the weeks worked. The weekly construction cap does not affect officers of the corporation or owners with elective coverage since the weekly officer cap is the same as the weekly construction cap."

Incident checklist: Please see the attached, updated Incident Reporting Checklist that our safety department, RiskControl360°, created for our clients. You probably (hopefully) already have something similar in place but please look this over in case there areas you didn't think about. It also ties in when to contact your MCO, and when to contact us, your TPA, as this is always a bit of a gray area. 


F.E.A.R.- SPEAKERS, PANEL, AND BREAKOUTS ANNOUNCED
 
Click the image to see additional speaker, panel, and breakout information


Make your reservation today and come prepared to Face Everything And Rise. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Conference brought to you by: 

 
 
AUGUST BUSINESS AFTER BUSINESS REGISTRATION

Please join us for Business After Business on Wednesday, August 16th from 5-7PM hosted by Chivaho Credit Union at their 
190 N. Bridge St. location. 

Catered by Casa Del Taco and Dairy Queen with beverages by Classic Brands. 

Additional parking available at AutoZone, Petland, and the American Red Cross.

EPIC AFTER HOURS- AUGUST 24TH


ACCURATE HEATING & COOLING CELEBRATES 40 YEARS 
 
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THE B.I.G. LEADERSHIP CLASS

It's hard to believe that it is that time of year again.  We are currently taking applications for our Chamber B.I.G. (Business, Industry, & Government) Leadership Class.  We are filling up quickly, so please reach out to me as soon as possible with your candidate name so I can secure their spot.  We are switching things up a little and bringing back Steve Hummel of Transitions Unlimited to work with our group on some leadership topics.  The B.I.G class meets once per month, starting in September and finishing in May.  We travel to sites such as Horizon, Infosight, the State Capitol Building, Kenworth, Adena Health System, Glatfelter, and several more.  Class members will have the opportunity to meet with business leaders and CEOs at the sites and talk with them about their leadership styles, challenges, and also tour the facilities.  We will also work on some team building exercises and leadership skills.  Call me to talk about this unique opportunity!  We only have 14 spots available for the class and over half of them are filled already.

QUICK CLIPS FROM OUR MEMBERS
  • First Capital Enterprises END OF SUMMER EXTRAVAGANZA August 18th-20th for more information call 740-601-7528
  • Sandy's Travel needs 6 more reservations for the November Pigeon Forge Trip which includes transportation, 5 days & 4 nights and all the Christmas Shows.  The trip is scheduled for November 6th -10th.  All the Christmas lights will be on too!  Call Sandy today at 740-887-2525 to get all the details  
  • The Kenny Valentine Band will be playing at the Paxton Theatre on August 12th at 7PM. For more information visit www.paxtontheatre.com 
  • Tecumseh Trading Co. located at 13 E. Second St. has 13 new shirt designs in stock and 5 new hat designs
  • Wild Roots Botanical is now carrying stain glass art from local artist Cinda Ray, to purchase visit 59 E. Water St. 

  • The American Red Cross located at 181 N. Bridge St. is having a blood drive TODAY, Friday 11th until 2PM. Donate and recieved a free pass to Cedar Fair Amusements 

Have something you'd like shared in the quick clips next week? Email it to bhood@chillicotheohio.com 
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS 
  • Rise Realty & MGMT Co. 
  • AT&T 
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS    

August 16th- Business After Business hosted by Chivaho Credit Union 5-7PM 190 N Bridge St. 

August 17th- Ross County Safety Council Kickoff at PACCAR Medical Education Center 11:30-1PM

August 24th- EPIC After Hours at The Pour House at Machinery Hall 6-8PM 

September 7th- F.E.A.R. Women's Conference from 8:30AM-3PM at Calvary Luthern Church

October 25th- Putt'In On The Ritz in downtown Chillicothe 

November 15th- Chamber Business Expo 


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
 

2017 PREMIUM MEMBERS

Platinum Level
Adena Health System
Advanced Services Heating and Cooling
C. Walters Management
Central Ohio Financial Services
Chillicothe City Schools
Chillicothe Paints
Classic Brands
Glatfelter
Horizon
Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC 
McDonald's
Ohio University- Chillicothe
Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of 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
bkellough @chillicotheohio.com

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