Business people often ask "Are there programs to help my business"?  They hear about economic development programs like tax incentives and government loans and the endless (and usually empty) promises of grants, and they logically want to know if they are missing out on programs from the government or non profit organizations that could help them financially. 

That's why we started a new newsletter called, simply, "Financial Assistance Programs".  It will be sent by email to the in-boxes of chamber members each month.  The newsletter summarizes programs that help the bottom line by cutting costs or providing new business opportunties. 

Examples include loan programs, tax credits, exporting opportunities, workers' comp discounts and equity investments.  Federal, state and local assistance programs are included.

Here's a link to our latest edition of the newsletter.

Oil & Gas Coalition Meeting Features Artex CEO

Over 70 business people attended a meeting yesterday to learn about the new Muskingum Oil & Gas Coalition and hear from a leading oil and gas industry executive. 

Jerry James, president of Artex Oil Company based in Marietta Ohio, talked about the economics of the industry, what producers are active in Ohio, and his concerns about the Governor's proposal to raise the severance tax on shale oil and gas production.  James is also president of the Ohio OIl & Gas Association which is strongly opposed to increasing taxes on oil and gas since shale exploration is still in its infancy and unproven.  The Chamber is also opposed to increasing taxes on the industry since it could stifle economic investment in the state.

Information was also provided on the benefits of joining the coalition. The coalition has plans to conduct marketing activities at trade shows and in industry publications in order to help its members reach out to companies involved in the oil and gas production supply chain. The coalition website, www.muskingumshale.com, has more details on marketing plans for the group.

Membership Matters for June 15, 2012

Here's our latest member newsletter.  Topics covered in this edition include:

• Member News
• Welcome New Members
• Muskingum Oil & Gas Coalition Meeting on June 21 
• Chamber-Jaycees Golf Outing
• Energy Cost Reduction Program Offered by MCBI 
• Stars & Stripes on the River
• Update Your Business Information
• Newsletter Highlights Assistance Programs
• Buyers Guide Promotes Your Business 
• Earn a Workers Comp Rebate Through Safety Education
• Get Chamber Updates in Your Inbox
• Special Logo to Highlight Your Membership
• "Support Local Businesses" TV Campaign 
• Anthem Health Insurance Program

Save This Date for Chamber-Jaycees Golf Outing

Oil & Gas Coalition Meeting on June 21

Please join us for an introductory meeting of the Muskingum Oil & Gas Coalition.  The purpose of this meeting is to explain the coalition’s goals, which are outlined below, and discuss marketing plans for the remainder of 2012.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Campus Center Building

Zane State University/Ohio University Zanesville

1425 Newark Road  Zanesville, Ohio

Admission is free to those considering joining the coalition

Reservations are required:  Call 455-8282 or email jmasterson@zmchamber.com

Special Guest Speaker

Jerry James, President & CEO, Artex Oil Company

Artex is one of the largest oil and gas producers in Ohio, and Mr. James has served as President of Artex since 1995.  Prior to assuming his current role, he held positions with various major oil companies in Texas, Louisiana and Wyoming, and served as a petroleum engineering consultant for James Engineering, Inc.  Mr. James also currently serves as President of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association (OOGA) and previously served as chairman of the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program (OOGEEP).  Mr. James will be providing an update on the shale oil and gas industry in Ohio and discussing public policy issues affecting oil and gas exploration.

Coalition Goals:

·        Form a coalition of companies to cooperatively market their products and services and our community to firms producing gas and oil from the Utica and Marcellus shale.

·        Jointly advertise – through a variety of promotional methods and media – area businesses and their products and services to oil and gas producers and their suppliers and contractors.

·        Complement local development efforts to promote the Muskingum County area as an advantageous site for supply chain companies serving the oil and gas industry.

·        Support oil and gas production in the immediate area, the region, and Ohio.

·        Have a positive economic impact on the local economy.

For more information about joining the coalition visit www.muskingumshale.com

The Muskingum Oil & Gas Coalition is a program of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce

Update Your Business Information with the Chamber

As the Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce prepares to print its 2012 Official Buyer’s Guide & Chamber Membership Directory, it is vital that we have your most up to date information.  Plus, it is important to your business that we have your current information on our member website and accurate contact information (email addresses, P.O. box numbers, etc.) in our member database.   

As a member, your company or organization is listed free of charge in both.  Our member listings in the online directory have been viewed over 30,000 times since January, so it is well-used resource for local business details. Please help us and help yourself by taking a few minutes to be sure we have accurate information about you!

TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION:

1. Request your login and password from jmasterson@zmchamber.com or dmatz@zmchamber.com.
2. Go to zmchamber.com and click the red member login button on the left side of the home page.
3. Review and if necessary update all your contact information. Be sure we have at least one email address for your business (see below).
4. Expand and customize your listing by clicking “Webpage Info” choice in the lefthand navigation menu.  This allows you upload photos, web links, logos, and detailed information about your products and services.

AT A MINIMUM: 

If you are not getting emails from us you are missing important and helpful information.  Please send us an email address today!  Send your email addresses - as many as you want from your organization - to jmasterson@zmchamber.com.  Newsletters, meeting announcements, and other updates are sent each month.  Email addresses are not sold or shared with anyone outside of the Chamber office.

Thank You!

Newsletter Highlights Assistance for Businesses

The Chamber has introduced a new newsletter called, simply, "Financial Assistance Programs".  The newsletter strives to answer the question "What financial help can I get for my business?".

Its purpose is to provide information about programs provided primarily by government agencies to businesses to help their bottom line.  The programs range from tax incentives, to discounts on things like workers' comp, to exporting assistance, to lending programs, and more.  In short, the focus will be on development incentives - rewards for creating jobs and growing - and other forms of assistance that help companies save money. 

Our plan is to compile the newsletter monthly and send it by email to all chamber members.