​​By Sabrina D'Onofrio, CGBP, CBA​, Export Assistance Director

This month is World Trade Month in the United States and here at the Export Assistance Network, we want to showcase the importance of exporting and encourage you, our business leaders, just how exciting the world of exports is. Not to mention all of the no-cost exporting assistance that is out there, starting with the Export Assistance Network at The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

​​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​At its meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 268-21 which would establish a Veteran-Friendly Business Enterprise (VFBE) certification to support city contract opportunities for these businesses. Under the ordinance, if a business is currently certified by the State of Ohio as a VFBE, full-reciprocity would be granted to that business to be certified as a VFBE by the city. If a business is not currently certified by the state as a VFBE, it may become certified by the city upon meeting the same requirements established by the state. The ordinance is strongly supported by the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce as it would help to recognize the many contributions of our veterans and veteran businesses.

​Photo courtesy of Thomas R. Uhler

​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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lieutenant Colonel veteran Thomas R. Uhler of TTL Associates, Inc. in Toledo.

Photos courtesy of Priscilla Bersee

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 U.S. Army Reserve’s Priscilla Bersee of Castle Hill Associates in Waterville.

Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bills 108 and 109 on May 17, both will become effective in 90 days.

​An ordinance has been introduced in Toledo City Council by At-Large Councilwoman Katie Moline which would create a Veteran-Friendly Business Enterprise (VFBE) certification to support city contract opportunities for these businesses. Under the ordinance, if a business is currently certified by the State of Ohio as a VFBE, full reciprocity would be granted to that business to be certified as a VFBE by the city. If a business is not currently certified by the state as a VFBE, it may become certified by the city upon meeting the same requirements established by the state. This legislation is being introduced during the month of May which is National Military Appreciation Month.

Here in the U.S., May is designated as World Trade Month, and while it’s important to recognize the impact global trade has on our daily lives all the time, it’s worth taking a moment now to consider just how much your life might be different if we didn’t have access to goods and services from outside our borders. According to worldtrademonth.com, U.S. exports totaled $2.5 trillion in 2018. Those dollars touch an estimated 11.5 million U.S. jobs and account for 13 percent of GDP. As you might imagine, without these goods and services, our lives – and our economy – would be dramatically different. To discuss the importance of having a defined export strategy for your business, we sat down with Steven R. Zirkel, owner of Blue Everest LLC, a strategic growth consulting, business advising and executive coaching firm.

​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.