Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce News Newswire

CONSUMER ADVISORY FROM OHIO BUREAU OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Guidance for Ohio Employers Regarding Selection of a Group-Experience-Rating Program for the July 1, 2010 Policy Year

Effective Nov. 16, 2009

We are providing this bulletin to provide guidance to all private-sector Ohio employers who may consider participating in a group-experience-rating program for the policy year beginning July 1, 2010. This is part of our efforts to preserve the group-experience-rating program and improve its performance.

When evaluating offers to participate in a group-experience-rated program, please make sure all marketing material offering a group discount includes the sponsor name and does not offer a maximum discount exceeding 51 percent.

Group discount
The maximum possible discount an employer in the group-experience-rating program may receive for the July 1, 2010, policy year is 51 percent. You may see marketing materials that reference a higher discount, such as 65 percent. Discounts this large are not possible in the group-rating program.

Not only is this discount unattainable, but marketing this discount is a violation of Ohio law. BWC may take action against a sponsoring association that provides inaccurate quotes. The action can include de-certifying a sponsoring association, which means it will not be able to sponsor a group-experience rating program for the July 1, 2010 policy year.

Should you receive any copies of materials that provide discounts exceeding 51 percent, please fax them to 614-621-5799.

Group sponsorship
You can find a comprehensive, updated list of BWC-certified sponsors for group-experience rating and group-retrospective rating for the July 1, 2010, policy year at www.ohiobwc.com. Make sure the sponsoring organization lists its name on any advertising or promotional material. Please be cautious of any marketing material that does not contain the name of the soliciting sponsor. Also, remember that while many third-party administrators (TPAs) provide risk management and safety services to groups, they are ineligible to form a group that does not include an approved sponsor.

If you accept an invitation to join a group program from an organization that the above Web site does not list, we will deny your application. Please make sure to accept offers to join either group-experience rating or group-retrospective rating only from certified sponsoring associations.

Should you receive any copies of materials from organizations that are not certified, please fax them to 614- 621-5799.

To obtain updates regarding further developments of the group-experience rating or group-retrospective rating programs, please visit www.ohiobwc.com.

2009 Chamber Small Business of the Year Awards/Finalists and Winners

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

2009 Chamber Small Business of the Year Awards

Congratulations to the Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce 2009 Small Business of the Year Award Winners!

Retail/Service: Ed Pickens’ Café on Main
Entrepreneurial: All Care Services, LLC
Minority/Female: Baker’s Collision Repair Specialists

These awards emphasize the importance of the many small businesses that support our areas economy. A reception to honor this year’s award winners and finalists was held at the Holiday Inn & Suites, on Thursday, November 12. Each award winner received a beautiful clock sponsored by CenturyLink and KeyBank. The winners and finalists will also be recognized at our Annual Meeting on January 28, 2010.

This year’s finalists were:
Bellville Flowers & Gifts
Tara’s Floral Expressions
Dairy Queen East of Mansfield
Wayne’s Country Market
Paul Revere’s Family Restaurant

A special “Thank You” to KeyBank and CenturyLink for their sponsorship, the Holiday Inn and Suites for the fantastic food and atmosphere, and Charles Mill Marina and the Mohican Sailing Club for providing the beautiful sailing/nautical setting. Watch for photos in the next issue of the Chamber Link! Congratulations to this year’s Winners and Finalists!

U.S. Chamber Launches Defense of Economic Freedom

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

U.S. Chamber Launches Defense of Economic Freedom

With our nation in the midst of a great recession, and with Congress and federal regulators considering many new laws and regulations giving government unprecedented control and power over the economic life of individuals and our nation, it has never before been so important for Americans to stand up and defend their economic liberty and the free enterprise system. This is why the U.S. Chamber, on October 14, launched its historic Campaign for Free Enterprise. The Chamber says this campaign, entitled the American Free Enterprise, Dream Big campaign, is one of the most important and necessary initiatives in its nearly 100-year history.

A recent survey by the U.S. Chamber found that while Americans support free enterprise, they do not clearly understand its benefits. Respondents also expressed concern about the future of the free enterprise system and their belief that the private sector will and should take the lead in one of the nation's greatest challenges – job creation. The U.S. Chamber believes that the values of individual initiative, hard work, freedom of choice, and the free exchange of trade, capital, and ideas can lead America back to prosperity. Only free enterprise will create the innovation, the opportunities, and the jobs our nation needs to revive the economy, restore the 7 million jobs lost to the current recession, and create the 13 million more jobs that will be needed over the next decade. To accomplish these goals, key components of the campaign and ways you can get involved include:

• a National Advertising Campaign
• the American Free Enterprise Pledge
• the Dream Big Video Competition (an online video competition inviting current and future business owners and entrepreneurs to tell how free enterprise allows them to pursue their dreams)
• Free Enterprise Forums

For more information on the campaign and how you can get involved go to www.freeenterpriseamerica.com. We – all of us – are free enterprise, and each one of us can play a critical role by becoming involved in this historic endeavor to preserve America as the great land of opportunity.

Important BWC Board Decision

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

On Friday October 30, 2009, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors unanimously approved the 2010 rate plan for private employers. The plan follows BWC’s recommendation to both lower maximum credibility to 65 percent and apply a significant stratified surcharge (also referred to as "break-even factor" or "BEF") to all group employers reducing the maximum discount to around 51 percent. Board members rationalized the decision to move forward with lowering the maximum discount and applying a surcharge by stating that employers will not have to pay these premiums until 2011, and BWC offers various payment plans to assist employers who will have difficulty paying their premium. Unfortunately, the Board's decision means more than 70,000 employers will need to budget back-to-back premium increases for the 2010 and 2011 rating years.

BWC and the Board of Directors have been increasing premiums for group-rated employers each year since 2005 in an effort to achieve "premium equity" between those employers participating in a group plan and those who don't qualify due to excessive claim loss history. BWC reported that rates for non-group rated employers were already corrected by changes made through 2009. The most significant of these increases were effective for the 2008 and 2009 rate years for premiums payable in February and August of 2009 and 2010. The Board decided to move forward with its 2010 plan in opposition to calls from the public and private business community, as well as legislative leaders, to postpone further increases until the results of the 2008 and 2009 changes could be fully analyzed.

A coalition of business organizations formed to address BWC changes to the workers’ compensation system did a great job in a short period of time to educate the Board, the Governor and legislative leaders on the negative effects such premium increases will have on Ohio's safest employers. And, while the Coalition's efforts did not stop BWC from going forward, their efforts did not go unnoticed. There were over 800 letters sent to Board members, the Governor and legislative leaders on this issue. In addition, several members of the Coalition contacted legislators and Board members to educate them on the effects of BWC's 2010 rate plan and what impact it will have on Ohio's economy and safest employers.

It’s important to bear in mind that even with these changes, group rating will continue to be a very valuable program for your members to participate in for 2010. This decision lifts the moratorium on group marketing and as a result we have begun to analyze and form your 2010 group rating program. Renewal and prospect materials will be mailed within the next few weeks. We will keep you advised of any further developments.

Please contact your CareWorks Consultants account executive with any questions at 1.800.837.3200.

U-CAN Expands to Ashland County; SPARC & U-CAN Provide Interest & College Readiness Assessments

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

U-CAN Expands to Ashland County; SPARC & U-CAN Provide Interest & College Readiness Assessments

U-CAN, the University and College Access Network, is expanding its college access program into Ashland County this fall. Starting in September, U-CAN college access advisors will begin to assist students at Ashland High School, Mapleton High School, Ashland-West Holmes Career Center and Loudonville-Perrysville Middle School. Funding for this expansion is being provided by an Invest in Success grant that U-CAN received from the Ohio College Access Network, and by funds provided by SPARC (Succeed & Prosper through education Ashland, Richland and Crawford Counties) and the four school districts being served. The funding will support the first two years of the program. Two U-CAN advisors will share their time between these schools. Long time high school teacher Paul Kauffman, who is retired from Hillsdale Schools, will work two days a week with students at Ashland High School and one day a week with students at Mapleton High School. Retired Mansfield elementary school principal Skip Malaska will work one day a week with students at Ashland-West Holmes. Malaska will also work on a periodic basis with students at Loudonville-Perrysville Middle School. Continuing to expand its work with middle school students has been a key U-CAN goal and this provides the first opportunity for a U-CAN advisor to work with middle school students on a more regular basis.

As part of their joint efforts to help area students better prepare for higher education at an earlier age, SPARC and U-CAN are once again this year enabling eighth and tenth grade students in Richland, Crawford and Ashland counties to take the ACT EXPLORE and PLAN assessments and receive counseling on their results. U-CAN and SPARC first provided this opportunity last school year. Both entities have worked together to secure funding for the assessments and counseling. SPARC director Mark Stock is coordinating the effort. The EXPLORE helps junior high students evaluate their educational progress and begin to explore potential career areas that interest them. Based on what they learn, students better understand the educational requirements that are needed to succeed in the career fields that interest them and can better plan their high school curriculum to prepare for higher education in those fields. The ACT PLAN is similar to the Pre-SAT and helps students become better prepared for taking the ACT.

Study Says Richland County is in 4th Most Vulnerable District in the U.S. to Job Losses Caused by “Cap and Trade”

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Study Says Richland County is in 4th Most Vulnerable District in the U.S. to Job Losses Caused by “Cap and Trade”

According to an analysis by the Heritage Foundation, Ohio’s 4th U.S. Congressional District, which includes Richland County, is one of the most highly vulnerable congressional districts in the United States to potential job losses and dislocations that would be caused by federal “Cap and Trade” legislation. This legislation would place a significant cost penalty on electrical power provided by coal fired plants. This analysis, which looks at the percentage of jobs in each congressional district that are in manufacturing and the percentage of electrical power in each state that is provided by coal powered plants, shows that Ohio’s 4th Congressional District would be the fourth most vulnerable of the 435 Congressional Districts in the United States. 25.8 percent of the jobs in the district are in manufacturing and 87.2 percent of the electrical power in Ohio comes from coal fired plants. This study also shows that Ohio, with 16.7 percent of jobs statewide in manufacturing, would be the second most vulnerable state in the nation to job losses and economic disruptions caused by Cap and Trade. Only Indiana is more vulnerable. Ten of Ohio’s eighteen congressional districts are among the nation’s thirty most vulnerable, and fifteen Ohio congressional districts are among the nation’s fifty most vulnerable.

The Gorman-Rupp Company has been selected by the Ohio Department of Development as the Ohio “Exporter of the Year.”

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The Gorman-Rupp Company has been selected by the Ohio Department of Development as the Ohio “Exporter of the Year.”

Gorman-Rupp joined companies from across the state at the Ohio Global Summit in Columbus for the 2009 Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Awards, where they won in the largest business category. Jeff Gorman, president and CEO, said increasing international sales is a priority at Gorman-Rupp. He also gave credit for the award to the many employees who had worked hard to improve international sales over the years. Governor Strickland said that Ohio is the only state to post growth in exports every year since 1998. Ohio’s export industry supports nearly 300,000 jobs statewide. Great work, Gorman-Rupp Company!

Citizens Bank announced its 125th Anniversary of operation.

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Citizens Bank announced its 125th Anniversary of operation. During this span, the bank has successfully served hundreds of thousands of area customers with retail, business and wealth management solutions. Citizens Bank has provided financial resources to the region in good and bad economic times during three centuries. Citizens Bank operates 19 retail locations including Shelby, Ohio. Happy Anniversary Citizens Bank!

Eatmor Bundt Company receives award!

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Eatmor Bundt Company of Mansfield has been selected for the 2009 Best of Mansfield Award in the Bakeries category by the U.S. Commerce Association. The Association’s Best of Local Business Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses. The Association identifies companies it believes have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. Congratulations Eatmor Bundt Company!

WARRIOR DRIVE IN AND PIZZA WIN AGAIN

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Warrior Drive in and Pizza of 3393 Park Avenue West in Ontario recently took first place in the "Gourmet Pizza Contest” sponsored by Sofo Foods in Toledo Ohio .

The Six-state contest was held on September 20,2009. Contestants came from Ohio , Indiana , Illinois , Georgia , Kentucky and Michigan to compete in the 20th annual event.

Each team was required to make two pizzas. The first was prepared off stage to be baked and the other was made on stage in front of a six-judge panel. Each team was required to explain to the judges each step and why they chose the ingredients they used. The pizzas were then judged in the categories of taste, visual presentation, practicality, marketability, and originality. The Warrior team comprised of owner, Ron Erich and his daughter Hannah chose their deluxe pizza because of the great color contrasts that it has and the fact that each bite reveals a new flavor.

The victory marks their second major win this year for the father-daughter duo. Ron and his daughter, Hannah, also competed earlier this year at the international pizza convention in Las Vegas where they took first place for their entry in the Eastern United States Traditional pizza category. They also placed fourth in the world in the International division - out of 3400 entries - bested only by three Italian companies.

Ron and Hannah credit both of their wins to the Sicilian style sauce they recently developed and the new dough recipe they now use since purchasing the Warrior in July of 2007.

GM plant’s demise tears at web in Ohio community

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT

USA Today Front Page Story - July 21, 2009 by Marisol Bello

ONTARIO, Ohio — When General Motors, the biggest employer in town, laid off 400 workers in December, it was like a boulder falling into a very small pond.

April and Rick Allison lost their jobs stamping out doors and other car parts. They plan to leave to find work.

Their departure means their landlord, Angelo Sorrenti, is worried about his business, so he's holding off buying a new pickup.

That hurts Graham's Auto Mall, which has laid off sales manager Steve Brown.

Now Brown can't make his regular contribution to the United Way.

The United Way has reduced donations to charities such as Friendly House's after-school and summer program for low-income children.

Friendly House is increasing its summer day camp fees. Single mom Pamela Hall worries if that keeps up, her 9-year-old daughter Courtney will have to stay home.

The struggles facing the people of Ontario and its neighboring communities show how the 400 layoffs ripple far beyond the gates of the GM plant, where 860 people still work. The stories reveal how job losses at a plant tear the web that binds the workers and their neighbors.

And Ontario is just one of 12 cities facing the bleak prospect that its GM plant will shut down in the next two years.

President Obama promises a stronger, healthier future for the restructured GM and Chrysler, but the White House acknowledges that it means downsizing. For Ontario and its 5,200 residents, already under strain, downsizing means losing the remaining 860 jobs.

"Something like this can devastate a little town," says Kim Hill, assistant director of research at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich.

More layoffs will ripple across Richland County, where the recession already has led to a 13.1% jobless rate, well above the state's 11.1% and the nation's 9.5%. Situated between Cleveland and Columbus, the county's biggest community is Mansfield, an industrial city next to Ontario with a population of 50,000.

Ontario, a mix of farms and newly built suburban mini-McMansion subdivisions, has grown into a retail hub for the county with shopping strips and big-box stores. That's largelythanks to the GM plant.

Hill says that for every job cut at a stamping plant like the one here, three more could be lost as the facility no longer buys supplies or hires contractors for services, such as cleaning; retailers and restaurants see fewer customers; and local government receives less tax revenue.

Ontario officials are bracing for big drops in income and property taxes as jobs disappear and people leave. The largest chunk of the city of Ontario's revenue, about 44%, comes from a tax on wages. Revenue from the 1% tax — $3.7 million last year — goes toward police, street repair and other services, Mayor Ken Bender says.

About 40% of that tax was a product of jobs at the GM plant. This year, even before the plant shuts down, the city expects to collect at least $300,000 less.

Bender says the plant closing will have "a catastrophic effect" on the police force and other services. Already, the city has laid off eight people from a workforce of 56, including two police officers and two dispatchers.

Bender doesn't know how bad it will get, but he says less revenue and more layoffs are likely.

Politicians and area residents are petitioning GM to keep the plant open, but the company says the closing is final.

"There's not really any alternative," says GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson. "In order for the company to be viable going forward ... we need fewer plants. That's the reality."

Starting over

The Allisons moved to Ontario to work at the stamping plant five years ago when the auto parts maker where they worked in Dayton scaled back.

"When we came up here we were told it was the best plant. ... We felt safe coming up here," says Rick Allison, 30. "The fact that it was going to stay open for many, many years was another plus, but obviously, it did not turn out to be the truth."

They've been out of work since December, except for two weeks in April when the company called them back temporarily.

They are each eligible for a $45,000 buyout to leave GM, or they can take a chance that the 10 years they have in the company puts them high enough on the seniority list that they can transfer to another plant.

The uncertain future weighs heavily. With a newborn baby and three daughters under 12, do they gamble with GM to hang onto their health insurance? Or do they each take the buyout and cut their ties to the company?

"You want to make sure you are doing the best for your family, but you don't know that until things pan out eventually," says April Allison, 32. "I'm scared to death."

Either way, they know they won't be staying in Ontario.

"We're going to go back home and start over," says Rick Allison. "We had lives before GM; we'll have lives after GM."

'We have cut back'

As the Allisons prepare to start over elsewhere, their landlord, Angelo Sorrenti, is expecting more turnover in the 20 three-bedroom houses he rents out.

The $650 to $700 monthly rents he collects supplement the income on his homebuilding business, Arcangelo Builders, which has taken a bad hit since the economy tanked last fall.

Sorrenti, who built homes that sold for up to $500,000, went from putting up five houses a year and employing nine people to building none this year and laying off seven workers.

Now, he's working on smaller jobs he wouldn't have taken a year ago, such as remodeling kitchens and bathrooms.

The plant closing comes in an already tough time for Richland County home sales. Latest figures show 87 homes sold in June, down from 113 the same month last year. The average sale price fell to $78,015, down from $92,364 in June 2008.

"This is the slowest period I've ever experienced in the last 28 years," says Sorrenti, 51.

So he is scaling back. He was thinking about replacing the pickup he bought at Graham's Auto Mall eight years ago, but now that's out.

"We have cut back in all areas of our life," he says. "If everybody does that, we'll be hurting more and more in our community."

Even so, he is upbeat about the place that became his home when he left Italy 38 years ago.

"I have seen this happen in the early '80s, when many factories closed," Sorrenti says. "But believe it or not, we've been able to re-adapt going through these difficult times, which is why I tend to have a positive outlook for us."

Fear of the unknown

At Graham's in Mansfield, where the mainstay of the business for 40 years has been GM cars, sales are down 25% for the first five months of 2009 from the same time last year, says general manager Kenneth Williams.

As more customers like Sorrenti hold off car purchases, Graham's has laid off three workers out of 165 in January. One was Steve Brown, a sales manager who's been in the car business for 20 of his 49 years.

He spends his days looking for jobs online at home in Savannah, a rural spot 20 miles from Mansfield.

Brown says he never expected to be out of work so long. He's applied for 30 jobs but says local businesses, reacting to GM's problems, are not hiring.

Unemployment benefits, savings and his wife's job as a manager at a plastics manufacturer will pay their bills through the end of the year.

"What if this time next year, I'm still out of work?" he wonders. "Unemployment is gone. It's the fear of the unknown."

His plans for a comfortable retirement have crumbled. He and his wife of 28 years have lost more than a third of their 401(k) retirement savings in the recession.

"We were doing it right. ... I wasn't going to be a burden to anybody," he says. "It turned out nothing like we've been planning."

He and his wife spend only on necessities: food, house payments, utilities and insurance. His charitable giving was one of the first things to go. His donations to the United Way used to come out of his paycheck.

"We can't do it right now," he says.

'We can't be negative'

The United Way of Richland County has seen fundraising suffer for three years as GM's troubles and the recession have put more people out of work. Donations fell from $1.9 million in 2007 to $1.7 million in 2008. Executive director Skip Allman expects an even bigger drop this year.

That means the 27 charities the United Way funds will receive less money.

Friendly House received $239,000 from the United Way this year, $31,000 less than last year. The drop meant director Terry Conard had to raise the fee for the 10-week summer day camp to $30 from $10 last summer.

The program, which provides tutoring, swimming lessons, games, and arts and crafts for kids under 18, is a life-saver for Pamela Hall. She doesn't have to worry about paying a babysitter or leaving her daughter Courtney, 9, on her own while she is at work.

Hall worries that she won't be able to afford any more fee hikes for the day camp.

"There's a lot of low-income families that can't afford it, not even $5 or $10," says Hall, 39. "I don't know that I'll be able to send my daughter. I'm a single mom trying to make things work."

The Allisons used to give to the United Way during drives at the plant. Now, their charitable giving is on hold, too, as they dismantle their life in Ontario.

United Way's Allman expects the trickle-down effect from families like the Allisons leaving the area will touch every corner of the county.

Right now, everyone feels as if they are in a boat, riding out the gales and hoping the waves will let up.

"We don't know how bad it can get," Allman says. "Of course, we can't be down. We can't be negative. It's a luxury we don't have ... We've never had to come together like this."

Letter to President’s Auto Task Force and GM

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Letter to President’s Auto Task Force and GM

The following is the text of the letter sent July 16 by the Mansfield Makes Sense Committee to Ron Bloom, the Chair of the President’s Auto Task Force and Frederick “Fritz” Henderson, the CEO of General Motors. It was copied to Ed Whitacre, Chairman of the New GM Board of Directors, and to the members of the President’s Auto Task Force.

"If industrial communities want an explanation, then I'm sure they (GM) would go and talk to them. We expect the company to be as open and transparent as possible.”

Ron Bloom, President Obama’s Auto Task Force member

On behalf of the #1 performing stamping plant within General Motors, its 1,200 dedicated, hard-working employees and the communities within North Central Ohio that will be devastated by the announced closure of the Ontario-Mansfield Metal Center, we need your help in getting an explanation of what appears to be GM’s poor business decision to close this plant. We strongly believe that “Mansfield Makes Sense for the New GM” and that this plant is best-positioned to help the company succeed.

We are requesting that you meet with us to review the material that we have compiled – data that comes from GM itself – that clearly demonstrates and validates the value of the plant to the company’s future. We understand that GM has to make some tough decisions to reorganize the company for the future, but, to date, we have not been given satisfactory answers to important facts and critical questions, including:

· Mansfield was first in the GM Scorecard evaluation.

· The cost per ton at Mansfield is the second lowest of the plants; without the added-in costs for laid-off workers, it’s the lowest.

· Mansfield has the best Competitive Operating Agreement in the company, and served as the model for the other agreements that were reached.

· Mansfield is first in Strokes per Hour, Line Transition and Hours Operated per Die Change

In short, the plant and its workers have done all that the company asked of them – and then some – yet it’s become first on the chopping block. That doesn’t make sense and causes us to wonder about how the decision was reached.

We – and the taxpayers of America, who collectively have a tremendous financial stake in the company – need to have a better explanation of this decision, particularly given the inordinate and disproportionate negative impact this closing will have on the community. The Mansfield-Ontario Metal Center has a $190,000,000 economic impact on the region; it represents 40% of the income tax revenue for the City of Ontario (population 5,500). That level of economic damage is troubling and should be factored into the equation.

Time is growing short. The dismantling of the plant is accelerating and – if it is allowed to proceed without a meaningful review – the company’s “asset” will have a dramatically decreased value. We urgently request a review and personal hearing with you to present the details of our case. A delegation from Mansfield will meet with members of the Task Force to present the case...any time, any place. We look forward to your prompt response.

2009 Member Directory & Buyers Guide

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT

2009 Member Directory & Buyers Guide . . .

Invested in Our Community

Your 2009 Chamber Member Directory & Buyers Guides are being printed and you should be receiving them within the next two weeks. Please let us know if you do not receive yours by the end of the month.

This year’s directory theme, “Invested in Our Community,” honors and recognizes the great personal and financial investments that all our members have made and the cover also pays special tribute to each of our Cornerstone members - those who have invested in our community through Chamber membership for 20 or more consecutive years.

A special thank you to the RSVP Volunteers who spent countless hours assembling the mailing to most of our Chamber members. Xpress Publishing and Printing did a great job printing the directories and the News Journal staff, once again, did an excellent job contacting our members for updated information and advertising opportunities and in designing and publishing the directory.

The Member Directory & Buyers Guide is distributed to all members and also to our area hotels/motels so they can place them in their rooms for their guests. Realtors are also given a larger quantity to distribute to individuals interested in moving to the area.

The Member Directory & Buyers Guide is just one more advertising benefit available exclusively to Chamber Members.

It’s one more way . . .

It Pays to Belong!

Chamber Website Advertising Opportunities Available

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Several members who attended one of the Chamber website advertising sessions will be taking advantage of the opportunity to advertise their product or service on the new website.

Advertising on the new Chamber website will allow you to promote your business to members and non-members alike, and you will benefit from the fastest growing segment in marketing and sales today. This is the perfect way to target your audience and measure your response.

If you would like to have an ad in place for the revealing of the new Chamber website, contact Angie Fanello at 419-522-3211, ext. 227 or afanello@mrachamber.com.

Web sites, rally planned in effort to save Ontario GM

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

By AL LAWRENCE • News Journal correspondent • July 1, 2009

MANSFIELD -- Local leaders hope a new Web site, e-mail and letter-writing campaigns, and an Independence Day rally will bring national attention and convince General Motors Corp. that closing the local plant is bad business.

About three dozen business and community leaders gathered Tuesday at the Mansfield-Richland Chamber of Commerce to hear from the committee Mansfield Makes Sense for the New GM

"The Chamber of Commerce does not normally question the decisions that private, individual corp- orations make," committee coordinator Steve Cobb said. "But since the public now owns about 50 percent of the company, we want to make sure these decisions are made properly and transparently."

The group recently questioned why GM included the Mansfield/Ontario Metal Center, which they argue is its most productive and efficient plant, among 14 slated for closure as part of the automaker's bankruptcy restructuring.

Cobb said GM's closure decisions were based on the same sort of politics and nepotism that landed the automaker in dire financial straits in the first place. Chamber President Kevin Nester said the committee's efforts target three groups of decision makers: GM's executive board and board of directors, the bankruptcy court and government officials in Washington.

"We need to tell them that as GM becomes 'new,' they should not be shutting down the most effective and efficient stamping plant, especially if they want to see the company eventually spun off on its own," Nester said.

Several officials at the meeting laid out what financial and other consequences closing the local GM plant will have on the area.

Nester said based on conservative 2004 average salary figures and 2006 census data, the plant's estimated $170 million annual payroll represents 12 percent of the total payroll for all jobs in Richland County and 30 percent of the manufacturing payroll.

United Way executive director Skip Allman said that while GM contributions to the agency have declined 40 percent over the last four years as company operations have shrunk, the $211,922 in giving during the 2008 campaign represented 15 percent of the agency's budget.

Wayne Hill, of the Cleveland-based public relations firm Edward Howard & Co., gave an overview of two Web sites -- mansfieldmakes sense.com and mansfield makessense.org -- that provide news and information on the plant and community along with contact information for GM and government officials.

Hill also summarized how local efforts are be- ing supported by federal, state and local lawmakers, including Mansfield native and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown. The committee's marketing consultant said Mansfield's endangered stamping plant will be the focus of up- coming USA TODAY and CNN features.

"We're not sure there is a silver bullet, so we're working on a range of influences," he said.

The cost of the committee's efforts will be paid for with funding from local government and businesses. The United Auto Workers have contributed $20,000, the City of Ontario $15,000, and $5,000 each will come from the City of Mansfield, Richland County and the Chamber.

Officials said if the effort to save the local GM plant fails, the publicity still might leverage state and federal resources to help the community recover, make the plant more attractive and useable for future business, and to demonstrate the quality of the area's work force.

"We're not going into this blind -- and know it's a long shot," Ontario Mayor Ken Bender said, "but we feel we need to do what we can."

Alumni Roofing Completes Largest Roofing Contract In Company's History

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Alumni Roofing Completes Largest Roofing Contract In Company's History

Alumni Roofing recently completed it's largest roofing contract in the Company's 11 year history. A new roof was installed at the Columbus Dispatch's main printing center on the southwest side of Columbus.

Chamber Welcomes New Board Members

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Geoff Mince is the Engineering Manager for the General Motors Stamping plant in Ontario. He began his career with GM as a co-op student while attending General Motors Institute (Kettering University) studying Mechanical Engineering. He also has an MBA from Indiana University. Geoff’s manufacturing career with GM has led him to increasing roles of responsibility at stamping plants in Michigan, Indiana, Louisiana, and most recently Ohio. He and his wife Shelley have been married for 16 years and are the proud parents of two children Haley and Evan. They reside in Lexington. Geoff and his family have become accustomed to moving over the past few years but hope this move to north central Ohio lasts for several years to come. A previous assignment in Shreveport, Louisiana was a great learning experience. However, being back in the Midwest and closer to immediate family in Michigan was a welcome change. Although a native Michigander, Geoff has successfully converted to following the Tribe. (Go Indians!) However, his allegiance still remains with the Wolverines of Ann Arbor on any given Saturday afternoon (Go Blue!) Outside of work, Geoff enjoys golfing, boating with his family at Alum Creek, and attending his kid’s sporting events. He is also an Alum of Leadership Unlimited.

Mark Romanchuk is owner and President of PR Machine Works, Inc., a contract manufacturer providing precision machining, fabrication, and assembly services. PR Machine Works’ sister company, Slick Automated Solutions, designs and builds special machines. He has over 24 years experience in systems engineering and management. Prior to purchasing PR Machine Works, Mark was a supervisor and engineer for the Hughes Aircraft Company for eight years. While at Hughes, he also worked as a U.S. Diplomat to the former Soviet Union in support of the historic Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. He was responsible for the installation, start-up, and operation of the first and only permanent U.S. Portal Monitoring Facility located in Votkinsk, Russia. Prior to his assignment in the former USSR, he was based in Japan as a team leader and technical advisor to the U.S. Navy in support of the F/A – 18 aircraft. He is a member and team leader of the National Tooling and Machining Association and is the current President of the Richland Manufacturing Coalition. He earned a BS in Electronic Engineering Technology from DeVry University and an MBA from Vanderbilt University.

Impact of Sen. Specter’s Switch on Outlook for Card Check

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Impact of Sen. Specter’s Switch on Outlook for Card Check - by Glenn Spencer, Executive Director for the Workforce Freedom Initiative which the U.S. Chamber is helping to lead.

Sen. Arlen Specter’s decision to switch parties has significantly altered the dynamics on a number of issues -- although at least for now, Card Check does not appear to be one of them. Sen. Specter was clear in his statement yesterday that he would not be an automatic 60th vote and singled out Card Check as an example.

While there is concern that a Democratic primary challenger would cause Sen. Specter to change that stance, with President Obama, Vice President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Reid, and DSCC Chair Robert Menendez offering up support in the election, the likelihood of a credible primary challenge is slim. However, Sen. Specter’s decision does give fresh impetus to a compromise bill. Organized labor has already begun putting pressure on Sen. Specter to move more aggressively on fleshing out new legislation.

Our job is to ensure that all Senators understand the harm that would be caused by the compromise proposals that have been floated thus far, such as quickie elections, two-sided signature cards, employee access and a slightly extended timeline before binding arbitration kicks in. We will carefully monitor other proposals that may emerge, but the bottom line has not changed: any bill that threatens the secret ballot, imposes binding arbitration and one-sided penalties is not acceptable. We have never sought to win this issue by just one vote, and this new development reaffirms the Chamber's uniquely proactive strategy of expanding our margin. The Workforce Freedom Initiative (will continue) moving full speed ahead.

Ohio Leads Nation in Capital Investment for Third Consecutive Year

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Ohio Leads Nation in Capital Investment for Third Consecutive Year Congratulations to Ohio's business and economic development community. For the third straight year, Site Selection Magazine has awarded its prestigious Governor's Cup to Ohio, recognizing it as the nation's leading state for capital investment. The Governor's Cup is awarded annually to the state with the most capital investment projects during the previous year. Ohio claimed the 2008 Governor's Cup with 503 projects, edging out second place Texas, who finished with 497. In addition to winning recognition as the nation's top capital investment state, Ohio's metropolitan areas and micropolitan cities also received notoriety as ranking in the top 10 in their population categories. The Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland MSAs ranked as top Tier 1 metropolitan areas (population over 1 million); Dayton, Akron, Toledo and Youngstown-Warren ranked as top tier 2 metropolitan areas (population between 200,000 and 1 million); Springfield ranked as a top tier 3 metropolitan area (population between 50,000 and 200,000); Wooster, Ashtabula and Wapakoneta ranked as top micropolitan cities (population between 10,000 and 50,000). Factors leading to Ohio's significant recognition include: The state's diverse portfolio of industry sectors- In 2008, Ohio experienced strong investment activity in a variety of industries including advanced energy, aerospace, automotive, bioscience, insurance, logistics and polymers. Project classifications included manufacturing, headquarters and office, warehouse and distribution, and research and development. Prime business climate for competing in the 21st century global economy- Winning the Governor's Cup three years in a row provides supporting evidence that Ohio's efforts to fundamentally redesign its business climate are working. Ohio's comprehensive tax reform, which dramatically reduces overall business and personal tax rates, is now almost fully phased-in, resulting in more companies realizing that Ohio is their best investment location. Incentives for capital investment and growth. In addition to the state's traditional business incentives of tax credits, grants, and low-interest loans, the $1.6 billion Ohio Third Frontier helps companies with research, product innovation, and commercialization of new products. Ohio is also leading the nation to energy independence by leveraging its existing strengths through a $1.57 billion jobs stimulus plan that includes $150 million in competitive grants and loans to qualifying advanced energy investment projects. Low cost access to high profit markets- Ohio is within 600 miles of over 63% of all U.S. and Canadian manufacturing facilities. The state's world-class transportation infrastructure gets products to market quickly and efficiently, reducing shipping costs and simplifying just-in-time delivery. A skilled workforce and abundant workforce development opportunities- Ohio's highly skilled workforce minimizes time associated with training, which significantly increases productivity and reduces operating costs. The state's workforce pipeline is annually replenished with 180,000 high school graduates and over 78,000 graduates from the state's renowned system of 161 institutions of higher education. Balance Without Compromise- Company executives choose Ohio because the state offers balance between work and life unlike anywhere else. Ohio executives can achieve both their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other. The same goes for their families and the employees whom they lead. Ohio offers business and industry many unique qualities that contribute to better balance and, ultimately, optimal business performance.

Recent Changes Approved By The BWC Board

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Recent Changes Approved By The BWC Board BWC has sought for some time to achieve what it has described as “greater premium equity” for group and non-group employers. Toward that end, the BWC Board has made the following changes: - An average effective base rate reduction of 25.3 percent for the policy year beginning July 1, 2009 for non- group rated employers. BWC believes this rate reduction will make Ohio’s workers’ compensation rates more competitive with other states and level the playing field for economic development and job creation. The base rate reduction will also apply to group rated employers, but its impact will be offset by a 31percent “assessment factor “ implemented to bridge the equity gap as calculated by BWC. - BWC initially proposed a 45 percent assessment. Based upon the input of various stakeholders, BWC reduced the assessment rate to 31 percent. BWC staff also pledged to reexamine this assessment further as more complete data on the makeup of employer groups becomes available. - Employers participating in group rating programs will continue to enjoy significant premium discounts, however, their premiums will increase on average by 9.6 percent according to BWC projections. While BWC has indicated 9.6 percent as the average increase, an employer’s actual premium change may be different based on industry, specific claim experience and other factors. These actions will finally provide rate certainty for the upcoming policy year after months of moving targets and reform proposals and counter-proposals. Be assured that CCI will continue their strong advocacy on behalf of the Chamber and keep us regularly apprised of continued developments on these fronts. If you have any questions or concerns about the BWC Board’s recent actions, please do not hesitate to contact Andre Bradley at Compensation Consultants Incorporated (CCI) at (800) 837-3200, ext. 7107 for additional information.

Spotlight on Chamber Small Business of the Year Award Winner: Olivesburg General Store

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Olivesburg General Store

The Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce awarded the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award in the Retail category to the Olivesburg General Store. Connie and Mike Crossen, co-owners were presented a beautiful clock sponsored by KeyBank and EMBARQ at the Small Business of the Year Awards reception that was held on November 13 at the Holiday Inn & Suites.

The Olivesburg General Store is an old fashioned general store that has been part of the community since 1840. They carry groceries, gasoline, deli items, ice cream and pizza for the convenience of the community, and also carry items to promote tourism in the area such as antiques and Amish made items and gifts.

When asked what has been the most critical component of their success, Connie noted that there are several things, including their desire to make it a better place. They also show people that they care about the store and community by being friendly and genuinely caring about everyone in the community. The community has come to rely on them in case of bad weather and/or power outages as they will open early and stay late to accommodate the community’s needs. Most recently they learned about a neighbor who had been diagnosed with cancer and had lost her job. Bills were piling up and the family’s needs were great. Cindy and Mike started a fund to help out and pretty soon the community raised over $10,000 to assist the family and continued to help with school supplies, meals, food, etc. This is just one example of how much Connie and Mike really do care about the people in their community and would do anything to help them.

A special Congratulations to - Olivesburg General Store - the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award Winner in the Retail Category

Spotlight on Chamber Small Business of the Year Award Winner: Industrial Technical Sales & Service

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on Chamber Small Business of the Year Award Winner: Industrial Technical Sales & Service The Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce awarded the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award in the Manufacturing/Industrial Category to Industrial Technical Sales & Service, Inc. Bill Newdome, President, was presented a beautiful clock sponsored by KeyBank and EMBARQ at the Small Business of the Year Awards reception that was held on November 13 at the Holiday Inn & Suites. Headquartered in Mansfield, Ohio, Industrial Technical Sales & Service is a full line pump distributorship featuring premier manufacturers including Gorman-Rupp Pumps and Warren Rupp Sandpiper pumps. Industrial Technical provides services to local industrial, agricultural, petroleum, food processing and utility markets as well as 58 additional counties in Ohio. They were a top 10 industrial pump distributor for Gorman-Rupp in North America in 2006 and 2007 as well as achieving #1 status in 2006 and 2007 for petroleum sales in North America. Industrial Technical, founded in 1954 by the late William P. Newdome, has had exemplary growth over the past 5 years. When asked what skill, quality or attribute has been the most critical component of their success, Bill Newdome noted that they have extremely low turnover. Their nine associates have a combined 182 years of service with the firm. A special Congratulations to Industrial Technical Sales & Service, Inc.- the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award Winner in the Manufacturing/Industrial Category!

Chamber Facebook Group

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Is Anyone In Your Office A Facebook Fan?

The Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce has created a Chamber “group” in this social networking site as an additional way to stay connected with our members. This is an easy way for you and your co-workers to stay informed about upcoming Chamber events, so please encourage your co-workers to add this group To join the Chamber Facebook group, once you are registered on Facebook, just type Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce in the search box, and then click “join group.” If you have any comments, or suggestions, please contact Angie Fanello at (419) 522-3211, ext. 227 or afanello@mrachamber.com. For more information about Facebook, visit: www.facebook.com.

Spotlight on Chamber Small Business of the Year Award Winner: Eatmor Bundt Company & The Twisted Fig Tea Room

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on Chamber Small Business of the Year Award Winner: Eatmor Bundt Company & The Twisted Fig Tea Room The Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce awarded the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award in the Minority/Female Category to Eatmor Bundt Company & The Twisted Fig Tea Room. Joyce Wells, owner was presented a beautiful clock sponsored by KeyBank and EMBARQ at the Small Business of the Year Awards reception that was held on November 13 at the Holiday Inn & Suites. Eatmor Bundt Company & The Twisted Fig Tea Room is a gourmet bakery featuring bundt cakes of all shapes and flavors, including hand painted bundts with French chocolates. In just eight months, Eatmor Bundt grew into a storefront. The Twisted Fig Tea Room was started to fill the need for something to be paired with their cakes and tea seemed to be the answer. The addition of loose leaf teas exploded their growth into a second storefront on main Street in April 2006. They now have seating for 60, plus a menu that includes sandwiches, salads, soups, quiche and more. They ship their products across the U.S. and internationally. Eatmor Bundt Company and The Twisted Fig Tea room were featured in Midwest Living, Long Weekends, Ohio Country Living, That’s Life with Robin Swoboda and Destinations Magazine. When asked what skill, quality or attribute has been the most critical component of their success, Joyce Wells stated that customer service and perseverance are the two most critical components. A special Congratulations to Eatmor Bundt Company & The Twisted Fig Tea Room- the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award Winner in the Minority/Female Category

Spotlight on Chamber Small Business of the Year Award Winner: DRM Productions

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Spotlight on Chamber Small Business of the Year Award Winner: DRM Productions The Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce awarded the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award in the Entrepreneurial Category to DRM Productions. Dave Damron, President and owner of DRM Productions was presented a beautiful clock sponsored by KeyBank and EMBARQ at the Small Business of the Year Awards reception that was held on November 13 at the Holiday Inn & Suites. DRM Productions has been in business for over 25 years. DRM started out producing TV commercials on the local cable company. They also produced training and sales videos for the industrial market. Over the years, DRM’s business mix has changed to not only include video and audio recordings, but web site design and hosting, product and logo design, animation, graphics design, photography, print design, corporate theater, software programming and computer and video equipment sales for the industrial market. DRM’s newest product is their web based digital signage system which has an almost unlimited market for communications and sales. When asked what skill, quality or attribute has been the most critical component of their success, Dave Damron noted that the skill set that has been most important to the success of DRM is understanding the electronic media world and knowing how to make it work for their clients in the most creative and cost effective way. The Chamber’s Small Business of the Year awards recognize the importance of the many small businesses that support our area’s economy and the many contributions small businesses make to our community. A special Congratulations to DRM Productions, Inc.- the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award Winner in the Entrepreneurial Category

Certificheck

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Certificheck update April 21, 2009

On March 10 the Ohio Attorney General’s office filed suit against CertifiChecks for failing to honor gift certificates for which they had accepted payment. The Attorney General is urging consumers who lost money to CertifiChecks to file a complaint with their office at www.SpeakOutOhio.gov or by calling them at (800) 282-0515. CertifiChecks, established in April 1999 and headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, had operated gift certificate programs at Chambers of Commerce and other organizations in 47 states across the nation..

PER THE CERTIFICHECK WEBSITE:

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY - 02/26/2009 (Updated 04/15/2009) ******** UPDATED 04/15/2009 ********* CertifiChecks filed a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio on April 13, 2009. The case number is 09-32147. If you believe you have a claim you may obtain a proof of claim form from the Clerk’s Office, US Bankruptcy Court, 120 West Third St., Dayton, 45402.Ohio or visit the Court’s website at www.ohsb.uscourts.gov. Click on Rules and Forms and then Local Rules and Forms and you will see a link to a writable proof of claim form.

Due to an extremely difficult economic environment, CertifiChecks, Inc., has ceased operations, effective immediately. CertifiChecks will no longer administer gift certificate programs. CertifiChecks gift certificate sales have been halted. CertifiChecks is in the process of filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Dayton, Ohio. Do not deposit CertifiChecks gift certificates in the bank as they will be returned. Merchants: Please remove all door and register decals. If you have CertifiChecks gift certificates which you would like to submit for potential reimbursement, please remit to the address listed below. CertifiChecks, Inc. Attn: Redemption Dept. PO Box 13603 Dayton, Ohio 45413 Or you may retain the certificates and file your claim in the upcoming Chapter 7 case. All certificates, whether mailed to us, or presented as a claim to the Bankruptcy Court will receive the same treatment. Certificates mailed to CertifiChecks will be turned over to the Bankruptcy Trustee. There are funds that will be turned over to the Bankruptcy Trustee to pay claims submitted by certificate holders.

The Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce recommends that copies be made of any CertifiChecks you have before mailing. If you do not have access to a copy machine, you are welcome to visit the Chamber office at 55 N. Mulberry St. in Mansfield and we will make copies for you.

Quality Inn - Bellville Receives Award

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Quality Inn - Bellville Receives Award

The Quality Inn-Bellville received the 2008 Gold Hospitality Award for exceeding the Choice Hotels' quality standards for customer service, housekeeping and product quality. The 66 room Inn is owned by Steve Haring of Bellville. It features five meeting rooms, an indoor pool, and fitness center.

Ontario Warrior wins a pizza prize

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Ontario Warrior wins a pizza prize

Ontario Warrior wins a pizza prizeBy LOU WHITMIRE • News Journal • March 18, 2009 ONTARIO -- Ron Erich left Las Vegas a winner last week, thanks to his prize-winning pizza dough and Sicilian-style sauce. Erich, who owns Warrior Drive-In and Pizza, captured the judges' attention with their sausage and green pepper pizza at the recent International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. Owner, Ron Erich won the east region competition for "Best Traditional Pizza" at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Las Vegas competiton included 120 entries before the field was narrowed to eight finalists. There were entries from Italy, Great Britain, Germany and Japan.