​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

Due to the recent power outages in downtown, Toledo City Council has rescheduled its regular meeting for 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Council is expected to vote on two ordinances related to the Division of Building Inspection. Ordinance 306-19 would amend Toledo building code to allow for the renewal of contractor licenses up to a year following expiration at the end of the calendar year. The change would include a $50 fee if a license is renewed after being expired for a month. Ordinance 307-19 would approve $65,000 for improvements to the Division’s office lobby on the 16th floor of One Government Center to improve customer service. The project was included in the city’s 2019 Capital Improvement Program budget previously approved by Council.

By: Riley Steinbock & Jewel White, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​Exporting is a phenomenon that is not necessarily new, but one that continues to evolve and become a crucial part of many successful businesses. Since 70% of the world’s purchasing power and 96% of consumers are outside of the United States, it makes sense that exporting can provide numerous opportunities for business. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, along with the Small Business Development Center, RGP of Northwest Ohio, UPS, and the University of Toledo’s College of Business and Innovation created the program Export Success which is designed to help members of the business community enter international markets by giving them tools on how to efficiently export their products. Export Success is a 10-session course that provides participants with informational sessions all about exporting by business mentors who have already successfully established an international presence. 

By: Riley Steinbock, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Intern

​Summer in the City presented by Dana Incorporated and Owens Corning kicked off a few weeks ago with a party at Holy Toledo! to watch the world famous Toledo Mud Hens. Our kickoff was a huge success with one of the best turnouts in the history of the program, with just over 180 interns in attendance for the game.

​By: Jocelyn Liberatore, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

Whether you are new to the Chamber or have been a long-term member, you probably have seen our staff engaged in workforce development. From Career Tour to the annual Morning Access: Education & Workforce Breakfast, we’ve been working hard knowing that the most prosperous communities are those developing comprehensive and collaborative strategies to address talent development, re-engagement, retention, and recruitment.

At the start of the 2018-2019 school year, the Chamber launched the Toledo Region Academic & Industry Network, or TRAIN. As a re-branded approach to Career Tour, TRAIN is a tool for educators and employers looking to connect with each other to provide career exploration experiences to students and student influencers (teachers, counselors) through a streamlined application and matchmaking process. When we launched TRAIN, we knew from our past efforts that there was a great need for the region to strategically develop, attract, and replenish our talent pool. We also knew that many schools and other organizations have identified this need and have been busy bringing together key players in the region to address these challenges. 

By: Jewel White, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Intern

With the month of June in full swing the Chamber of Commerce has been experiencing an abundance of exciting events. From the kick-off of “Summer in the City” to the addition of new members to the Chamber, there is never a dull moment. However, we’d like to take the time to congratulate one of our own, Jocelyn Liberatore, who has been at the Chamber for 3 years, has been promoted to the newly created position of Workforce Initiatives Manager!

​­About the Company:
Superior Credit Union is a full-service financial cooperative serving individuals, families, and business members in Western Ohio. Superior provides consumer, mortgage, and business loans, checking and savings accounts, plus investment, insurance and trust services.
 
Leadership:                    
Phil Buell is the CEO and President of Superior Credit Union – headquartered in Lima, Ohio. Joe Laudick is the VP of the Northern Region, which includes the three Toledo-area branches as well as Tiffin, Fostoria and Ottawa.
 
Toledo-area branch managers are Becky McDonagh in Maumee, Fred Weber in Perrysburg and Jamie Riley in Sylvania.

​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on June 11, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 145-19 which would modify the franchise agreement between the city and the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority to adopt changes to on-street parking. These include eliminating free metered parking from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and expanding enforcement in the Warehouse District and Uptown neighborhood. Amendments will likely be offered clarifying authority to cite for non-metered violations, and eliminating a proposal for adjusting meter rates according to demand and instead extending enforcement at high-occupancy meters to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

By: Jocelyn Liberatore, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​The Ohio EPA launched Ohio Material Marketplace (OMM) in April 2017. Through OMM's interactive messaging system, Ohio businesses, not-for-profits and government organizations communicate with other members of the marketplace to advertise and acquire materials that might otherwise be destined for disposal in landfills. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to create a free account, list items that other businesses may be able to re-use, and browse available items that are often at no-cost. 

​Did you know that the Chamber’s online membership directory is searched hundreds of times each month? Are you making the most of it? There are numerous ways to maximize your exposure, from the basics like making sure your listing information is complete and accurate, to linking your social media accounts, even adding your logo. And best of all, it’s all available to you simply by logging into the members only portal at www.toledochamber.com.

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