​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​At its regular meeting scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on September 17, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 436-19 which would authorize a new agreement for the city to continue providing fire and emergency services to the Village of Ottawa Hills. The new agreement would terminate the city’s current lease on the village’s fire station and adopt a $300,000 annual service fee with the option for adjustment based on changes in inflation. The city absorbed the village’s fire and emergency operations following a 2011 agreement which included the city operating the village’s fire station. The city recently determined following an 11-month trial agreement that it is able to provide better and lower-cost service to the village using stations within the city.

By: Jeffrey Korzenik, Chief Investment Strategist, ​Fifth Third Bank 

​“Would you rather pay someone $30,000 to do a job, or pay $30,000 to keep someone in jail?” That was the question posed to me by Dan Meyer, CEO of Nehemiah Manufacturing. The Cincinnati-based manufacturer of consumer products has pursued the former option, hiring dozens of employees with past criminal records. The national dialog on the U.S. justice system largely focuses on sentencing reforms, but proposed changes will be fruitless if those with criminal records have no job opportunities and no recourse but to return to illegal activities. Nehemiah and others are pioneers in developing paths for “second-chancers” or “returning citizens” (those who have been released from prison) to lead productive and meaningful lives.

Welcome to the following new members who joined the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce in August. 

Just like the weather, energy prices are cooling down. Learn more about the state of the natural gas and electric markets from our Chamber Energy Solutions (CES) Consultants at Palmer Energy. And then check out how you could be saving with our CES program.  

​By: ​Sabrina D'Onofrio, CGBP, CBA

​The staff of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Export Assistance Network (EAN) at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce recently went through the process of Accreditation for all of the SBDC’s in the State of Ohio. Accreditation is done every 5 years to make sure that every SBDC is following the Strategic Plan of the Ohio SBDC Lead Center. 

​Sue Wright, Financial Counselor with the SBDC, recently completed the CBA (Certified Business Advisor) program through Kent State University.  This certification is required by the State of Ohio for all of their financial counselors.  It provides assurance to clients that business advisors have the business skills, competency and knowledge to effectively counsel, guide and inform entrepreneurs.  It basically serves as a review of knowledge obtained through education and experiences. The program is essentially an on-demand, self-paced eLearning certification program specially designed for professionals who advise small business owners. The modules consist of Human Resources, Accounting and Finance and Marketing and all modules are ideally completed within a 6 month time frame. 
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Congratulations on your accomplishments, Sue!

By: ​Sabrina D'Onofrio, CGBP, CBA

​The Export Assistance Network Director, Sabrina D'Onofrio, CGBP, CBA was proud to have a company in her territory that stretches 18 counties in Northwest Ohio, be featured at the Ohio Export Internship Program Summit in Columbus this month. The company, 50 Strong is located in Lima, Ohio. 50 Strong creates and manufactures water bottles right here in Northwest Ohio. 

​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​At its regular meeting scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on August 20, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 395-19 which would authorize sale of more than 50 acres in the Triad Business Park located in the Maumee-Monclova-Toledo Joint Economic Development Zone. Midland Agency of Northwest Ohio, Inc. would purchase the site for $1,050,000 on behalf of an anonymous Michigan-based company considering relocation of its headquarters, fulfillment, and manufacturing operations. The prospective company could invest $28 million to construct an up to 225,000 square foot facility and employ as many as 200 individuals should the site ultimately be selected.

Welcome to the following new members who joined the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce in July:

​Armada Logistics
Blessed Home Health Care
Color Concepts by Byrne
Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate Diocese of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana
Faithful Owl LLC
Frayt Technologies, Inc.
Hite Concrete Equipment, LTD
Jerusalem City
Kay Toledo Tag, Inc.
Lucas County Board of Developmental Disabilities
MCK Construction, LLC
Pulaski Township
Rimer Enterprises, Inc.
Super C Repairs & Service
T. Davis Contractors

​Have you heard of the COSE multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA), but you aren’t convinced this is the right health plan for your small business? Here five reasons why you may want to consider it: