​Photos courtesy of Ed Beczynski

​May is Military Appreciation Month and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is celebrating and recognizing our active service and veteran members of the military by showcasing some of our military member business owners in the Toledo Region. Check out this Q&A with veteran U.S. Air Force Sergeant Ed Beczynski of Focaccia’s Delicatessen and The Blarney.

By Brian Dicken, Vice President of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives

May is Military Appreciation Month and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is recognizing the many contributions of our service members and veterans to our community. You may have seen some of the profiles of veteran-owned companies in our region, but there is so much more.

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

Two ordinances in anticipation of funding the city expects to receive under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are on the agenda for Toledo City Council’s regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.

As a business owner or leader, your business is of vital importance to you – and your employees are the lifeblood of that business. By protecting your employees and ensuring their safety, you’re also protecting your business.

​May is Military Appreciation Month, and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is celebrating and recognizing our active service and veteran members of the military by showcasing some of our military member business owners in the Toledo Region. Check out this Q&A with Senior Master Sgt. Elizabeth L. Holliker, Public Affairs Supervisor, 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio National Guard, owner of Flash Focus Imagery in Bowling Green.

By Megan Stretavski, ​Workforce Initiatives Manager

​Why take a chance on hiring a returning citizen? If  lower turnover rates, lower absenteeism, higher retention rates and being more loyal than the general workforce don’t have you convinced, there are several programs in the Toledo area that “coach up” this population. On April 30, 2021, during the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Re-Entry Development Initiative (REDI) Lunch and Learn, we discussed the ways in which attendees could get their organization started on their own second chance hiring journey.

Happy May, Toledo! As the weather continues to warm up and we look forward to our fabulous upcoming events and programming here at the Toledo Chamber, let's take the opportunity to look back on all of the members who joined our fantastic membership of over 2,000 businesses in the Toledo Region. As always, we continue to advocate for a thriving business environment, lead the charge to attract and retain new talent in the region, and connect businesses with resources and opportunities for growth. Congratulations and welcome to our newest members!

All photos courtesy of Jake Sorosiak

May is Military Appreciation Month, and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is celebrating and recognizing our active service and veteran members of the military by showcasing some of our military member business owners in the Toledo Region. Check out this Q&A with Staff Sergeant Jake Sorosiak, 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio National Guard, a fitness and nutrition coach.

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27, Toledo City Council is expected to refer Ordinance 234-21 to its Committee of the Whole for further review. The ordinance would establish new regulations for small box discount stores, also known as dollar stores, by requiring them to obtain special use permits and be subject to annual reviews, and new locations to be at least one mile away from existing stores. The proposal was forwarded to the full City Council without recommendation after being previously reviewed by Council’s Zoning & Planning Committee. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce opposes the measure as it would add unnecessary layers of regulation and potentially discourage business development in the city.