FOSTORIA AREA BUSINESS NEWSLETTER

November 2022

FEDC & Chamber Podcast - Have you Listened in Yet?

Fostoria Economic Development & Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce have launched a Podcast, "Shut Up & Listen: Small Town Stories with Sarah & Renee". The podcast features FEDC President, Renee Smith, and Chamber/Small Business Director, Sarah Stephens Krupp, sharing all things Fostoria and inviting special guests to join them in a light hearted conversation.

The podcast can be found on Spotify, Apple and Google. The podcast drops the first and third Wednesday of each month and you can learn more and follow Shut Up & Listen: Small Town Stories on Facebook and Instagram.

Halloween Hocus Pocus a Hit!

Thank you to all our sponsors and attendees who helped make our first ever Halloween Party a success!  The Fostoria Learning Center was transformed into Salem for the night thanks to the hard work and vision of our event committee; Monica Radcliff (Key Bank), Tiffani Aurand (The UrbanWoody Brewery), Jena Stearns (Beyond Laser Creations), Jon Wonderly (Creative Concepts Landscaping), Sarah Stephens Krupp (Chamber), Megan James (POET), Jocelyn Reinhart (Clear Choice Exteriors) and Renee Smith (FEDC). 

2023 Annual Sponsor Opportunities

Sponsorship packages help us to only approach you once per year when seeking sponsorships and allow you to finalize all sponsorship and promotional details at one time.  If a sponsorship package isn't a good fit, individual event sponsorships and promotional opportunities are still available throughout the year.  

Sponsorship Package Advantage:

• Have a one time payment
• Fill out one sponsorship form
• Your $$$ goes farther and gets you more visibility

Thanks to POET Biorefining, Tri County Dental, Mennel, Charter Steel, Clouse Construction, Ryan S. Kinn, DMD-Family & Implant Dentistry, Best Western Fostoria Inn & Suites, NSI Crankshaft, ACI Construction and Financial Design Agency of Ohio for being our first 2023 Annual Sponsors to sign on!

Information from Trusted Chamber Benefit Providers

Thinking about solar? Now is the time to get a quote.

Why now could be a great time to consider solar:

• There are a number of incentives in the new Inflation Reduction Act, such as a 30% tax credit, that are making solar more affordable than ever.
• Energy prices remain high, shortening payback periods and increasing ROI.
• Utilizing solar with batteries can be a great solution for backup generation. 

 Visit viridi.eco or email us at info@viridi.eco to get started. 

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. 

Get out and vote on Tuesday, November 8!



Click here to view our General Election Guide.

Our members are doing GREAT things!

Two Downtown Businesses to Celebrate One Year Anniversaries

Thistle Exchange and Beyond Laser Creations are hosting a joint 1 Year Anniversary Celebration on November 5 from noon to 7 p.m.

The anniversary celebration will take place at their respective storefronts, Thistle Exchange, 210 S. Main St., and Beyond Laser Creations, 101 S. Main St. Both businesses invite you to start your Christmas shopping season!

Learn More

Destination Seneca County Receives Ruby Award

Destination Seneca County received recognition for achievement in marketing and advertising at the Ohio Travel Association’s RUBY Awards presentation, held October 13, 2022, at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Sandusky, Ohio. Destination Seneca County received an award for the category of Targeted Marketing Campaign for their Seneca County Geo Trail, the only geocaching trail in Northwest Ohio. Bryce Riggs and Marisa Stephens with Destination Seneca County accepted the award. This is the first time in Destination Seneca County’s organizational history to be recognized on a state level for their efforts.

The Ohio Travel Association’s RUBY Awards recognize excellence in Ohio’s hospitality and tourism industry for efforts in advertising, marketing, and public relations. In this year’s competition, the Recognizing Uncommon Brilliance Yearly (RUBY) Awards had 183 entries. The awards, sponsored by Ohio Magazine, were presented during the Ohio Conference on Travel, the state’s largest conference for tourism industry professionals.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt that uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) and online clues to help participants find caches, or hidden containers. Destination Seneca County, in partnership with Geocachers Anonymous, launched the only geocaching trail in Northwest Ohio in September of 2021. Since the launch of the trail, more than 165 geocachers have completed the trail and have traveled more than 20,800 miles to Seneca County to do so. Destination Seneca County is currently working on a new interactive geocaching trail for 2023 that will feature a new theme, caches, and locations.

Destination Seneca County Announces Seneca County

Official Chip Contest

CHIP, CHIP, HOORAY!

We are excited to announce in partnership with the TMAC - Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission, Fostoria Community Arts Council, and Ballreich's Potato Chips the launch of the Sights of Seneca County Official Chip Contest!

This contest will solicit artwork that will be voted on by the community to be the artwork for the chip bag for the custom Sights of Seneca County Ballreich’s Chips. Acceptance of submissions is now OPEN! Learn more by clicking here!

ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital to Host Cooking Demonstration

The free cooking demonstration with diabetic education, "Cooking with Chelsie", will be held on Tuesday, November 15 from 4-5 p.m. in the basement conference center of ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital. RSVPs are due by November 19 to becky.bouillon@promedica.org or by calling 419-436-6688.

Learn More

Fostoria Proud Christmas Card Display Returns

The UrbanWoody Brewery & The HoneyBee Winery will once again facilitate the Fostoria Proud Christmas Card Display. If you did not pick up your Christmas card last year, it is currently out at Inland Tarp & Liner, LLC. in storage. Please call them to schedule a pick-up time, 419-436-6001.

 Old cards should be refreshed with a new Christmas design for 2022 for display in Market Square Park.

 If you are new to the #FostoriaProudChristmasCardDisplay, you will need a 4x4 sheet of plywood decorated for Christmas and one strand of multi-colored lights and two - 4 foot metal stakes that will secure your card to when displaying it.

The goal is to have all cards displayed in time for the events taking place the weekend of December 2nd - City Tree Lighting, the Rotary parade and the Holiday Sip & Shop at The Fostoria Learning Center!

Greater Fostoria Community Foundation Seeking Country Mardi Gras 2023 Sponsors

The Greater Fostoria Community Foundation (GFCF) is planning its signature event—Country Mardi Gras 2023—which will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023 at Stacy’s Place. This event supports the GFCF operating mission to improve the quality of life in our community by supporting areas such as human services, the arts, culture, humanities, economic development, civic affairs, education, health and social services. The event will feature live music by Sugarcreek, heavy hors d’oeuvres, raffles and more! The Foundation is currently seeking sponsors for this annual event. Learn More

Things to see & do this fall right here in Fostoria...

FAVB Seeking Sculpture Exhibit Sponsors

The Fostoria Area Visitor’s Bureau is making plans for Fostoria to be a host community for a Midwest Sculpture Initiative (MSI) exhibit for a sixth year. To participate as a host community, the MSI group asks for a commitment to fund at least eight sculptures for an outdoor exhibit that is in place for approximately one year. Each participating sculptor receives a stipend for loaning their pieces to the exhibit, while MSI charges a project administration and installation fee.

Funding for Fostoria to be a host community for a Midwest Sculpture Initiative exhibit is raised through grants and donations from businesses, organizations, and individuals. No public funds have been used for our participation in bringing the sculpture exhibits to Fostoria or in the purchase of permanent sculptures. Because the Visitor's Bureau needs to make a commitment soon for Fostoria to be a host community for a 2023/2024 exhibit, the Fostoria Area Visitor’s Bureau is seeking financial sponsorship pledges by December 1, 2022.

Donations of any amount are appreciated. Gifts given at the following levels will receive special recognition in all exhibit marketing materials: Platinum - $2,000+, Gold $1,000+, Silver $500+ , Bronze $250+, and Stone $100+. Payment is requested by March 1, 2023.

A sponsorship pledge form is available at http://www.fostoriaohio.org/sculpturepledge/ Completed forms should be mailed to or dropped off to Fostoria Area Visitor’s Bureau office in the Fostoria Learning Center at 342 Perry Street or emailed to Michele Cochran, Community Development/Tourism Director at development@fostoriachamber.com.