May 24, 2019 newsletter
CHILLICOTHE ROSS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER FOR MAY 24, 2019
MIKE’S MUSINGS
I’ll apologize in advance. This week’s update will be repetitive Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don’t go to the next part of the newsletter yet!
Honestly, what I’m going to expound upon this week is stuff that I’ve talked about before. But I’m hoping the way I talk about it helps you understand how great things are going in Chillicothe and Ross County right now. It’s all news that bears repeating.
So, with apologies to those of you who have heard this stuff before and, most of all, apologies to David Letterman — who built part of his amazing career on his Top Ten Lists — here are my Top Ten Reasons Why Chillicothe is Back!
10. We’ve added new and cool stuff here. To use something my good friend Lori Graves often says, “We have ended the phrase, ‘There is nothing to do in Chillicothe.’ ” On Monday, the Chamber helped to cut 
the ribbon on the new Go Free Yourself Escape Room on Health Drive. It’s just one of several fun, new things to do in the community. We also have Southern Ohio Axe Throwing and Naz Vineyard and Winery, along with the Mighty Children’s Museum, added to our already amazing things to do (the Chillicothe Paints, Atomic and 35 Raceways, etc.). Even our community stalwarts, The Scioto Society, at Sugarloaf Amphitheatre have brought us new things in the past few years, such as bluegrass concerts featuring the top names in that genre, along with The Sleepy Hollow Experience, “Mamma Mia” and much more. And don’t even get me started about The Buck Fifty, which might be a more of a movement, than merely an event.
the ribbon on the new Go Free Yourself Escape Room on Health Drive. It’s just one of several fun, new things to do in the community. We also have Southern Ohio Axe Throwing and Naz Vineyard and Winery, along with the Mighty Children’s Museum, added to our already amazing things to do (the Chillicothe Paints, Atomic and 35 Raceways, etc.). Even our community stalwarts, The Scioto Society, at Sugarloaf Amphitheatre have brought us new things in the past few years, such as bluegrass concerts featuring the top names in that genre, along with The Sleepy Hollow Experience, “Mamma Mia” and much more. And don’t even get me started about The Buck Fifty, which might be a more of a movement, than merely an event.9. More than $200 million in existing business investment along the Ohio 159 corridor. Yeah, this one I’ve already detailed, but the expansion announcements from Kenworth and
Adena total nearly $220 million in investment by our top companies. Clearly, they see the value in our area and its workforce. It’s very simple. If outside investors see investment from within a community, they’re likely to consider that community for their own dollars. I’m a firm believer that the past decade’s worth of local investment helped to land the 50 West and Fort Collective deals.
Adena total nearly $220 million in investment by our top companies. Clearly, they see the value in our area and its workforce. It’s very simple. If outside investors see investment from within a community, they’re likely to consider that community for their own dollars. I’m a firm believer that the past decade’s worth of local investment helped to land the 50 West and Fort Collective deals.8. We confront our issues head-on and with local resources. Yep, talked about this for years, but the Hope Partnership Project started with a state grant, but that only built the engine. The energy it burns comes from the people who have worked so hard to change the game on the local addiction issue. In fact, one of the solutions we’ve employed locally, a countywide Drug Free Clubs of America chapter, is a model across the state for how communities can tackle the addiction issue. Is this where I mention The Buck Fifty again? It is? OK, good, The Buck Fifty is a great event that has funded this worthwhile effort and is another example of the community pulling together to find its own solution. While some may argue that the addiction issue is not necessarily a business matter, ask any business in our town and they’ll likely convince you otherwise … but if you still need a pure business example …
7. The Carlisle Building story is one worth telling – over and over again. Yeah, yeah, it took 12 years to complete … can’t argue that point. Facts are, however, once the resolve was there to truly renovate and restore the beautiful downtown structure, the community got the job done. Now, it’s a great testament to the results we can achieve when we work together, find a local solution and strive despite the obstacles. It didn’t happen in a vacuum and came together because a local company (Adena Health System) worked with the city, county, and state to help an out-of-town developer (Michael Chesler) to find the solution and create a catalyst for our current downtown renaissance.
Make sure you open the email next week for more reasons or send me some of your ideas for them. Heck, maybe we’ll do more than a top ten. Have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone!
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