Ribbon Cuttings A Reason to Celebrate

The month of May has a number of ribbon cutting events on the schedule, and we encourage all business people to turn out for these important occasions. 

Why are they important and why should you attend?

First, ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings serve a definite economic development purpose.  Part of building a positive business climate involves celebrating business growth.  We celebrate by holding these events, thanking the people making the investment, and recognizing their new contribution to the local economy.  That someone wanted to open a business or a new location in our community is a big deal, and we should treat it as such, especially if we want to see more of it.  What is honored in a country will be cultivated there, as Plato said.

Second, these events are a chance to promote your business.  Maybe that new business needs what you provide, and if not maybe someone else in attendance does.  The worst that can happen is you network for a few moments with people you already know, perhaps even existing customers.

Finally, and on a more personal level, any ribbon cutting is an exciting but stressful time in the life of a business and its owners, managers and employees.  They have made a big investment, incurred a lot of risk, and are counting at least in part on community support for their success.  Only those who have been there - the members of the business community - can really appreciate what they are going through.  Why not attend and offer your encouragement and assistance to a new business?  Maybe someone did the same for you when you started.

Great Slate of Speakers on Oil and Gas Opportunities

Take a look at the great slate of speakers we have coming for the May 16 seminar on the oil and gas supply chain.  Some real professionals will be here to offer their advice to area businesses.

Snapshot of the Oil Patch   

Kristy Hawthorne   

Director of Membership Services and Small Business Development
Ohio Oil & Gas Association  

Safety Guidelines   

Steven Miller
Environment, Health and Safety Director
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

5 Steps to Success in Shale   

Joe Barone
President
ShaleDirectories.com  

Solving the Industry's Human Resources Challenges   

Bill Thompson, Managing Principal
Jeff Dressler, Managing Director
Marcellus Resource Group  

Understanding Master Service Agreements   

Ron Van Horn
Practice Leader, Oil & Gas
The Schauer Group

Understanding the Purchasing Process   

Daniel Etter
Procurement Manager, North East Operations
Halliburton Company

You can find all the details about the seminar here.

Exotic Animal Bill Passes Senate

Thanks to Senator Troy Balderson for leading the way on the Ohio Senate's passage of a bill regulating the ownership of exotic animals.  There were little to no regulations previously, and we all know after last year's tragedy that state of affairs could not continue.

We all wish the sad episode in which a local citizen and many animals lost their lives had never happened.  But at least we are fortunate to have leaders like Senator Balderson, Representative Brian Hill and of course Sheriff Matt Lutz and his deputies step up and deal with with the problem and its aftermath. 

Plus, an important gap in state law is being corrected - the proposal now goes to the Ohio House for consideration - and if our community had to play an involuntary but necessary role in highlighting the need for the new law, so be it.

Here's a link to the contents of the bill.  

Halliburton, Producers Carry On The Tradition

Halliburton is officially Muskingum County's newest corporate citizen.  As a $25 billion worldwide oilfield service provider, the company is an exciting addition to the area business community.  They will make a major investment and be a major employer.  Plus, their arrival could signal the start of a wave of more local economic growth as a result of shale oil and gas exploration in Ohio.

Halliburton has publicly stated their desire to hire local people and deal with local suppliers.  Job seekers can go to www.jobs.halliburton.com to search for openings.  We also strongly recommend contacting the Muskingum County Opportunity Center (455-4466) to review what job listings they have for Halliburton. On the business side, the firm has a supplier registration process that local businesses may want to investigate.  You can read about this at this section of their website. 

Interestingly, we have a local company that does some of the same things as Halliburton.  Producers Service Corporation in Zanesville is an employee owned company that provides fracturing and acidizing services during the drilling process.  Producers is a growing company, too, and we don't want to overlook them in the excitement about Halliburton. 

Producers' presence here since 1981 - and that of a number of other local firms that have long provided various oilfield services - also points out the extensive tradition we have as an oil and gas producing region. 

That tradition never died in Muskingum County, but now we are poised for its resurgence.  Many thanks to oil and gas industry companies like Halliburton, Producers, Anadarko Petroleum, and others for their new investments in the workforce and economy of Muskingum County.

What's Your Big Idea?

The MCBI Big Idea Contest is being held now, and the deadline for entries is fast approaching. 

The contest is a program of the Muskingum County Business Incubator, which wants to hear your best business ideas so they can help you pursue them.  The prize for the best idea includes cash and business incubation services.

To be eligible to apply, the applicant must live in the counties served by MCBI, which are listed at this website.  You can also find an application form there.  The application is simple to complete, and it asks questions such as what your innovation or invention is and what your target market will be. 

The deadline for applications is May 5th. Contact the Incubator with any questions.

Grant Available for Women Entrepreneurs

Grants for start-up businesses are virtually non existent.  But here's one from a private business owner and entrepreneur who wants to give back and help other women be successful.  The Eileen Fisher Business Grant Program for Women Entrepreneurs was launched in 2004.

"The program seeks applicants from wholly women-owned businesses that combine the principles of social consciousness, sustainability, and innovation to create new businesses or invigorate existing ones. In addition to those key social principals, applicants must have a solid business plan and a strategy for long-term growth."

The grants are $12,500 (five are awarded) and come with mentoring from professionals at the firm of clothing designer Eileen Fisher.  Check out this article for all the details. Note the May 15 deadline.

Education, Marketing, Development

May is going to be a very busy month for events and meetings, held both by the Chamber and by our affiliates and members.

Many people are so busy running their businesses that it is tough to attend outside events.  We understand that, and that is why events or meetings are just ONE way in which we deliver information and services.  In fact most member benefits do not require you to attend anything in order to receive value.  See our March 29 blog post for more on this subject.

For those that do want to attend, May is packed with opportunities for you to educate yourself and your employees, network and promote your business, and help celebrate development and growth in the community.  Take a look at our online calendar and you probably will find at least one or two activities that interest you.

Here's a summary of the May events and meetings, and again, visit our online calendar for the details.

Business Events & Meetings Schedule - May 2012

Education l Marketing l Development

For more information or to RSVP

call 455-8282 or email jriddle@zmchamber.com

 

May 1 – Tourism Team monthly meeting, Welcome Center, 9:30 am

May 3 – Ribbon cutting at renovated McDonald’s restaurant on Maysville Pike, 5:30 pm

May 4 – Ribbon cutting at Thrivent Financial, Masonic Temple Building in Downtown Zanesville, 11 am

May 4 – First Friday Art Walk, Artist Colony of Zanesville, Downtown Zanesville, 5 to 8 pm

May 6 -12 – Kathy McGhee and Nicholas Hill Exhibition and Creative Statements: Ohio Art Quilts 2012 Exhibition-Zanesville Museum of Art, National Tourism Week event

May 7 – Lt. Governor Mary Taylor addresses national health reform law for members of Chamber and Muskingum Valley Human Resource Management Association, Welcome Center, 11 am, please RSVP

May 8 – Presentation by State Tourism Director Amir Eylon at Chamber board of directors meeting, Welcome Center, 8 am, please RSVP, National Tourism Week event

May 9 – Muskingum Valley Human Resource Association meeting, presentation by Rich Gelin, US Department of Labor, about Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, 8 am, please RSVP

May 9 – Author Visit & Luncheon: Michele Zavatsky, Author of Kids Love Ohio , John McIntire Library at 11:30 a.m. (Reservations needed) , National Tourism Week event

May 10 – Familiarization Tour including McDonald's Greenhouse, Spring Acres Alpaca Farm, John and Annie Glenn Historic Site and National Road-Zane Grey Museum-Leaving the Chamber Office at 9:00 a.m. (Reservations needed), National Tourism Week event

May 10 – Ribbon Cutting at the Alpacas of Spring Acres, 10:30 a.m., National Tourism Week event

May 10 – Open House at the new Muskingum Valley Health Center, Adair Avenue, 5 pm

May 11 – Artist Colony of Zanesville monthly meeting, Welcome Center 10 am

May 11 & 12 – Longaberger Spring Fling, Longaberger Homestead, National Tourism Week event

May 12 – Cookout Dinner, Terra Cotta Vineyards (Reservations needed), National Tourism Week event

May 16 – Shale Oil & Gas Business Opportunities seminar, fee to attend, reservations required

May 23 – Safety Council meeting, presentation and fire demonstration by Mid East Career and Technology Centers

May 23 – Horizon Telecom Lunch & Learn, “Exploring the Potential of Broadband”, free to chamber members, 11:30 am, please RSVP

May 23 – Ribbon cutting ceremony for expansion and tours at Economy Linen in Zanesville, 4 pm

EDIT: The McDonald's ribbon cutting has been moved the May 9.

"Destination: Excellence" is BWC Cost Reduction Program

More often than not, CEOs and business owners place workers’ compensation near the top of the list of cost drivers for their company.

Destination: Excellence is a program package designed by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) to help protect your workers and your organization’s bottom line by focusing on safety, accident prevention and return-to-work opportunities to bring injured workers back to work sooner. 

Destination: Excellence allows you to select from seven new and existing program options to customize a plan that addresses your specific needs. This “cafeteria style” plan aligns with BWC's top priority of preventing injuries and getting injured workers healthy and back to work sooner. A quick return to work saves money for employers, but more importantly it increases the chances of a positive outcome for injured workers. 

Click the following links to learn more about Destination: Excellence’s options and potential incentives.

• Industry-Specific Safety Program
• Transitional work
• Drug-Free Safety Program
• Safety councils
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Go-green discount
• Lapse-free discount
• Related resources

Introducing the Muskingum Oil & Gas Coalition

We are excited to announce the formation of the Muskingum Oil & Gas Coalition.  The coalition is a partnership of local businesses formed to promote their products and services to the shale oil and gas industry and its suppliers.   

Members share the goals of connecting local firms with producers and their suppliers, encouraging the formation of new enterprises to serve the energy industry, and generally making the community a focal point for energy development by attracting and retaining oil and gas related businesses.  

For more information on the coalition, including member benefits and a membership application, visit this webpage.

Welcome to New Members

Thank you and welcome to these new members of the Chamber.  They have each made an important investment in our organization, their business, and our community. 

You can find out more information about them at the online business directory at zmchamber.com. They join the more than 600 other Chamber members businesses that are also listed in the online directory.

Fun Factor Photo Booth

Sleep Outfitters

Wayne Garage Door Sales and Service inc.

The Dancing Divas

Matheson Tri-Gas

Deb Davis Graham (Olde Towne Realty)

Subway by SK & V

Trans World Construction Services, Inc

Meek Properties, LLC

Cindy Jacobs, Team Realty 1st

Thrivent Financial

Westwood Creative

Staples

Birkhimer Asphalt, LTC

Patriot Stainless Inc USA

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Coulson Compression & Measurement Co., LTD

Howard Zwelling, Associate of Micheli, Baldwin & Northrup

Home Instead Senior Care

ACE Septic

Zane Trace Clean Care Uniforms

SERIF~creative

J Bar S Enterprises, LLC dba Margie B's

Southtown Gym

The Chamber "Brand" Can Build Your Business

We often say in our marketing messages, "Why be a Chamber member?  Because your customers care."  We say that because affiliation with the Chamber brand can help you attract customers.  And that is not just our opinion.

Chambers of commerce around the nation are respected and considered by most of the general public to be reputable business organizations that promote good business practices and economic growth.  Thus, the Chamber "brand" is strong and by joining you can associate your business with this positive perception.

Importantly, research shows that this can go right to your bottom line:

• Seventy percent (70%) of the respondents to a national survey said they believe that being a chamber member illustrates that a company uses good business practices.

• When consumers know that a small business is a member of the local chamber they are 63% more likely to patronize the business in the future.

• When consumers know that a restaurant franchise, for example, is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 50% more likely to eat at the franchise more often.

•  When consumers know that an insurance company, as another example, is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 43% more likely to consider buying insurance from it. 

•  It even works for manufacturers. When consumers know that an auto manufacturer, as a final example, is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 9% more likely to consider purchasing their next car from that company. 

And we can help you be sure your customers know you are a chamber member.  We provide tools - like a door decal, a member certificate, and a special member logo to put on your marketing materials - for your use.

So, the results are in:  Your customers do care if you are a chamber member or not, and you can build your business just by being a member.

Here's more information on the research done on chambers of commerce and the perception of customers.

GRANTS - Yes, GRANTS - To Help You Export

The Ohio International Market Access Grant for Exporters (IMAGE) is a program funded by the State of Ohio and the United States Small Business Administration as part of the National Export Initiative to double U.S. exports by 2015.

IMAGE is designed to increase exports and create jobs by helping small companies to promote their products and services in new international markets.

An eligible company must be in business for at least one year, operate a licensed business in Ohio, be in good standing with all State of Ohio agencies, and assert that it is a small business as defined by the United States Small Business Administration.

IMAGE funds will reimburse companies a maximum of $6,000 (50 percent on qualifying expenditures up to $12,000) for activities associated with new international marketing initiatives. Companies located in the Ohio Appalachian region may qualify for an additional 50 percent reimbursement up to $2,000 to use toward the eligible export-related activities listed below.

Companies electing to participate in a State of Ohio or other approved trade mission will be eligible to apply for a 50 percent reimbursement up to $3,000; OR up to $2,000 for any U.S. Department of Commerce-led trade mission. 

Eligible Export-Related Activities:

• International trade show participation (excluding airfare, meals, and lodging)—e.g., Booth space rental and construction, interpreter fees, freight costs to ship booth, trade show participation fees
• Subscription to services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce and other approved providers—e.g., International Partner Search, Gold Key Service, Single Company Promotion, International Company Profiles, etc.
• Select international marketing and technical translation services—e.g., Website and marketing material translation services, technical manual translations, label translation services
• Exporter specialized education programs—e.g., Global Target
• International trade mission participation (up to $3,000)—e.g., Participant fees, market research and appointment setting fees, economy class airfare, lodging
• Other export-related initiatives reviewed and approved by the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Export Assistance

For more information, please email: IMAGE@development.ohio.gov or call (614) 466-5017

Shale conference tomorrow, April 11

Area businesses are invited to attend the “Ohio Shale Energy 2012: Discovering Supply Chain Opportunities” conference, at the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center in Cambridge, Ohio, April 11, 2012.

This showcase regional event will bring together industry experts and businesses interested in becoming suppliers to the shale energy industry in Ohio. Highlights of the conference include:

• Invaluable, firsthand advice from more than 20 industry experts on how to become a supplier, including Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Chesapeake Energy, Ariel Corporation, The Shaw Group, River Consulting, Timken, Ken Miller Supply, Inc., Pioneer Group, and many more
• Industry information about market potential in Ohio and where/how money will be spent
• Networking sessions to engage business connections and opportunities
• Entry into the Ohio Shale Supply Chain Database to establish a local network of shale businesses and suppliers

Keynote speaker Michael Levett, senior director and vice board chair for CDC Development Solutions (CDS), will focus on what it takes to grow a successful industry in Ohio that benefits the state. Formerly president and chief executive officer of CDS, Levett led his organization’s expansion into more than 80 countries on five continents and created the company's practice area in supply chain quality management and local content development. Levett has more than 30 years experience working in and with the private sector worldwide, with small- and medium-size enterprise development in emerging and frontier markets, and with local and national governments.

Ohio Shale Energy 2012 is presented by Ohio University, Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce, Edison Welding Institute, Ohio Energy Resource Alliance, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Ohio Oil &Gas Energy Education Program, Ohio Shale Coalition, TechGROWTH Ohio, WIRE-Net and Zanesville-Muskingum Port Authority.

For additional information and to pre-register for the conference, please visit www.ohioshaleenergy.com.

WHAT: “Ohio Shale Energy 2012: Discovering Supply Chain Opportunities” Conference

WHERE: Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center, 7033 Glenn Highway, Cambridge, OH 43725, 740-439-7009

WHEN: April 11, 2012 registration opens at 8:00 a.m.

Note: Breakfast and lunch meals will be served.

MEDIA: Michael Levett will be available after his morning keynote address for media questions.

RSVP: Space is limited. Please pre-register for this event at www.ohioshaleenergy.com.

Contact: For information about the conference, call 740-537-0110 or email info@ohioshaleenergy.com.

The Campaign

We are growing the Muskingum Growth Partnership because economic development is as important now as it has ever been, and we invite you to join us.

Please join our other investors if you share an interest in creating a growing economy and thriving marketplace for your firm and for the people of the Muskingum County. 

MGP investors know their participation is important to our collective future.  They know the role holds little direct reward or recognition for them personally and that the return on their company’s investment is generally long term.  However, the return is real and it is tangible, and it is called a growing economy.

Here is an invitation to join MGP - Letter of Invitation to Join Muskingum Growth Partnership - and here is more information about what MGP is and does:  MGP Website.  The site will tell you who the investors in MGP are and will describe some current activities and past accomplishments.

We hope you will strongly consider joining us.  It is a worthwhile investment that will provide returns to both your organization and the community for years to come.

To learn more about becoming an MGP investor contact Dana Matz at 455-8282 or dmatz@zmchamber.com.

Lt. Governor Will Address Healthcare Reform

Healthcare reform has been in the news lately, as the US Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of the law that made many changes to healthcare in the nation.

Since employers will be drastically affected if the law is upheld, we invited Lt. Governor Mary Taylor to talk to chamber members about her concerns with the mandates in the healthcare reform law.  Taylor is also the director of the Ohio Department of Insurance and she has made healthcare reform a major policy focus.

The meeting with Lt. Governor Taylor will be held on Monday, May 7, at 11 am at the Muskingum County Welcome Center.  She plans to speak for about 15 minutes and open it up to discussion and questions.  There is no charge to attend for chamber members, but we do require reservations to 455-8282 or jriddle@zmchamber.com.

All employers are encouraged to make themselves familiar with the contents of the law.  In the event the Supreme Court upholds it (we should know in June), there will be many mandates and deadlines businesses must meet.  Here's a couple of good summaries: 

http://blogs.msbcollege.edu/2012/02/28/affordable-care-act-summary/
http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/healthpolicy/ppaca11.pdf
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/healthreform/


CORRECTION:  This post originally said May 11.  The meeting is on May 7.

The Dollars and Cents of Chamber Membership

Is being a Chamber member the "right thing to do?" Obviously we think so. But you need better reason than that to invest your hard earned money in an annual membership.

So we did the math and put some estimates to the value of our services (and we were conservative) and weighed that against the average cost of membership. The results:

Average Annual Membership Value: $680
Average Annual Membership Dues: $247
Annual Member Dues Start At: $225 for a small business

That means the average Chamber member can more than double their money. That's a pretty good return on investment.

You can view the details here: http://www.zmchamber.com/PDFs/Membership%20ROI.pdf

Doing Business With the Oil & Gas Industry

How do you get into doing business with the shale oil and gas industry? How do you access that supply chain? What are the ins and outs, the dos and don'ts for companies looking to enter that market?

Well, looking ahead to May, we are going to hold a half-day seminar that should answer those questions. It will be held from 8 am to 12 noon on the 16th of May at Eaglesticks. Admission will be $95 per person and $150 for non-members.

The seminar is presented in conjunction with the Ohio Oil & Gas Association and Shaledirectories.com, a Pennsylvania based firm with all kinds of experience in the Marcellus shale gas industry in PA. Those two organizations are providing us with a top notch line-up of speakers, which we will announce very soon.

You can reserve your spot now if you like by contacting jriddle@zmchamber.com. Again, more details are on the way.

Visit the Shale Information Clearinghouse

The "Muskingum County Shale Oil & Gas Information Clearinghouse" is a webpage we created to help you find various kinds of information about shale exploration and production. It has useful links to websites and documents on topics ranging from economic development to landowner resources to geological information. We also have a Shale Business Directory to help companies find the services and suppliers they need in the oil and gas industry. Both can be accessed from the home page of zmchamber.com.

Remember, mark your calendar for April 16 at 1 pm to hear presentations about public policy aspects of shale drilling. Scroll down to our April 2 post for the details.

Next in the Chamber Shale Oil & Gas Series

The next event in the Chamber Shale Oil and Gas Series features two highly involved and informed speakers who will address issues related to job creation and government regulation as they pertain to shale oil and gas development.

REBECCA HEIMLICH is the American Petroleum Institute (API) Ohio Campaign Manager. Heimlich is overseeing the organization’s grassroots educational outreach efforts in the Buckeye state. Heimlich, an attorney, is also the director of the Ohio Energy Resource Alliance, which is an alliance among the Ohio Petroleum Council (a division of API), the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program, Energy In Depth, and the Buckeye Energy Forum.

SHAWN BENNETT is field director for Energy in Depth, the Ohio Project. Energy in Depth is an outreach and education campaign focused on researching, explaining and setting the record straight on the promise and potential of onshore energy development. EID's Ohio Project supports a common sense, homegrown energy strategy for Ohio. Bennett previously worked in Washington D.C. as a staff member for the Committee on House Administration and as Government Affairs Manager for the Ohio Coal Association.

Monday, April 16, 2012
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
John McIntire Library
220 North 5th Street
Zanesville, Ohio


RESERVATIONS
Please RSVP since attendance is limited. Send reservations to or call 455-8282.

ADMISSION FEE
No charge for Chamber Members and current Incubator Clients and their invited guests.