​​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.

​Knowing how to manage your healthcare plan can save you and your business time and money. That’s why the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce (TRCC) and COSE have partnered with Medical Mutual to offer the multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) to help small businesses receive the big-business benefits they deserve. Whether you’re looking to join a COSE MEWA plan or have been a member for years, it is important to review your plan information periodically to make sure you are getting the most out of it. Here are a few tips to get you started.

Over the last year, it’s undeniable that every facet of our lives has changed. Whether by the state-mandated shutdowns, the shortage of goods like toilet paper or by the major shift to working from home, the last 12 months have challenged us in unexpected ways.

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Resolution 178-21 which would join the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce in urging the United States Postal Service (USPS) to return mail processing to its facility in Toledo. Complaints of untimely mail service have persisted in Northwest Ohio since USPS transferred sorting operations from the Toledo processing facility to the Michigan Metroplex Facility in 2012. The resolution cites a recent Chamber survey of its members in which all respondents indicated that delays in USPS mail delivery are negatively impacting their businesses and their customers. Currently, elected officials from 20 area local governments are planning to vote or have already voted to approve resolutions joining the Chamber on urging USPS to consider this change.

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and here in Toledo, we have many organizations dedicated to not only raising awareness of autism, but also to helping and supporting the individuals and families impacted by autism. We sat down with Toledo Chamber member Avenues for Autism and Executive Director Stacy Harper to discuss what autism means, how you can support local families impacted by autism and how northwest Ohio as a whole is better thanks to the work that Avenues for Autism does.