Last week, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce members had the opportunity to attend Coffee and Connecting hosted by First Solar. A unique experience, members enjoyed a full breakfast and a complete tour of the First Solar Campus. Additionally, representatives from First Solar and GEM Energy collaborated to give a presentation focused on the growth of solar within the Toledo Region. It was a wonderful morning for members to connect and a privilege to tour the largest solar manufacturing plant in North America.

Recently, thirty EPIC Toledo members completed the Board Member Accelerator taught by Aly Sterling Philanthropy and it generated a lot of buzz in our community. If you haven’t read Heather Gallant’s reflection on teaching the course, you’re missing out. There has been a huge need for young professionals to step into non-profit board service in Toledo, and the leaders of EPIC Toledo recognized this opportunity to help educate the next generation of board members.
 
Andy Hudak, Investment Advisor Representative for TransAmerica Financial Advisors, was one of the thirty. He offers an interesting perspective on the course because he already sits on a couple of boards in the Toledo area, including the EPIC Advisory Council. We had the opportunity to catch up with him and capture his thoughts on the success of the program. From personal revelations to implementing new organizational policies, Andy took what he learned and made the most of it.

We enjoyed the nice weather and the indoor/outdoor patio at Bar 145 in May! The second Thursday of each month EPIC Toledo hosts a Social at an area attraction. Socials are an opportunity for our members to connect with one another in a relaxed setting, and an opportunity for potential members to learn more about EPIC. To attend our next event, register at http://www.epictoledo.com/epic-events. View the event photo gallery below.

​Thirty-five EPIC Toledo members had the opportunity to have breakfast with Col. Craig Baker, Commander 180th Fighter Wing, and listen to him share his Four Principles of Effective Leadership. From a Q & A session with the Commander, to gear demonstrations and a tour of the base, EPIC Members had a great and educational morning. Col. Baker even shared information about the F-35A mission with members that were curious about how the mission could positively impact our community.

In the fall of 2015, the leaders of the Chamber’s EPIC Advisory Council approached Aly Sterling Philanthropy with a challenge: how can we assist more young professionals to become leaders on nonprofit boards? Their solution was to create a training series aimed at preparing next generation leaders to serve the missions of Toledo’s nonprofit organizations: The Board Member Accelerator. The Board Member Accelerator delivered a real-life, hands-on education that empowered 30 EPIC members to successfully govern nonprofit organizations. This series is the first of its kind in Toledo and, to our knowledge, nationally.

​On May 25, the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate approved legislation that will pay off the balance of the federal loan related to unemployment compensation. The bill is now awaiting Governor Kasich’s signature. This is an issue that has been a high priority in the Toledo Regional Chamber’s advocacy efforts on behalf of our members.
 
As a result of these efforts, employers will see a dramatic decrease in their federal unemployment tax (FUTA) rate starting in 2017. Ohio employers currently pay $147 on the first $7,000 of every employee. Had the loan to federal government not been repaid by November, that tax would have increased to $168 per employee. The actions by the legislature will save employers in the Toledo region millions of dollars in additional taxes. In January, the full FUTA credit will be restored dropping the amount employers to just $42 per employee.

By: Emily Dammeyer, Communications Manager, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

In the heart of National Small Business Week, area manufacturers got together for lunch to share industry news, get an idea of where manufacturing is headed in Northwest Ohio, and to help forecast the future in order to help impact buying decisions.

The event, held at American Manufacturing, was hosted by the Toledo SBDC and the SBA. In addition to the 15 manufacturers in attendance, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Gil Goldberg, Cleveland District Director of the SBA, Teresa Smith, Toledo Lucas County Port Authority, Jessica Ice, Research Analyst Federal Reserve, and staff of the Toledo SBDC and Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce were in attendance.

​A lively discussion followed lunch, and each attendee had the opportunity to share their challenges and successes, as well as seek advice from the group. Many shared that they are incredibly busy, and while busy is great for business, they all share the challenge of filling their workforce. The manufacturing industry as a whole has found that skilled trade workers are hard to find and that the time and cost that goes into screening new employees is staggering. This industry too, is feeling the impact of drug abuse in relation to filling the workforce.

Our region is working to grow business, improve communities and attract and keep bright young people.

​So, it’s important we recognize the key components of a fertile environment: good jobs, arts and entertainment, affordable housing, great schools and, of course, a strong sense of community.
In the Toledo area, our thriving nonprofit sector provides the roots that underpin our greatest attributes and strongest attractions. World-class culture? Check. Award-winning schools? Check. Beautiful parks and accessible social services? Check and check.

​Owner: Jeremy Wiswell
Established: 2010