Though 2020 has been a difficult year for businesses not just here in the Toledo Region but around the country and world, it’s never a bad time to put in the effort to expand your business through exporting. It’s as important as ever to maintain confidence in your business’ future, and that means forging ahead. And you don’t have to do it alone.

​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At Toledo City Council’s regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, individuals recently selected by Lucas County Probate Court Judge Jack Puffenberger to serve as temporary replacements for four previously vacant seats will be able to attend a meeting and vote for the first time. Those individuals include John Hobbs III who will serve on the District 1 seat, Vanice Williams who will serve on the District 4 seat, Tiffany Preston Whitman who will serve on an at-large seat, and Cerssandra McPherson who will serve on the other vacant at-large seat. Mr. Hobbs is a self-employed barber and pastor at Dominion Fellowship Church, Ms. Williams is a consultant at First Light Consulting, LLC, Ms. Whitman is the Director of Academic Innovation & Testing Services at the University of Toledo, and Ms. McPherson is a paraprofessional at Toledo Public Schools.

It's news to no one that right now, running a business is unstable and we're working through unprecedented times. That means, in order to succeed, you must take risks as a business owner in order to continue your business and move forward. Part of that risk-taking process means actively exploring every opportunity available so you can perform effectively, efficiently and safely. Embracing new tools and technology is just one way to continue to evolve, adapt and even grow your business during today's challenging business environment. But if you don't know where your business stands, it's impossible to know where it can go.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses here in the Toledo Region and around the world have been hit hard. However, northwest Ohio organizations have been working hard to support the community. One such organization is the United Way of Greater Toledo and its new iPledge program, focused on spreading the word about local small businesses and driving consumers to their doors – and websites. 

On Sept. 8, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Capitol Conversation presented by AT&T series welcomed Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State, to discuss issues currently impacting Ohio’s businesses.

The Talent & Workforce Department of the Chamber promotes college job fairs throughout the region. These events connect employers with job seekers, in both VIRTUAL and FACE-TO-FACE environments made for those students who are ready to intern or start new jobs.
 
Here are some of this fall's upcoming Career Fairs.

​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, Toledo City Council is expected to give first reading to Ordinance 367-20 which would approve $400,000 for expanding the Cityworks PLL electronic platform for use by the Division of Building Inspection. The platform is currently used by other city departments involved in approving permits. According to the city, expanding use to the Division will allow for a more efficient review process and facilitate planned upgrades to eventually allow for electronic submission of plans. The process to implement expansion of the platform will take between 12 and 18 months, and the city intends to move forward with adopting electronic submissions within that timeframe.

During Ohio’s pandemic shutdown, the disparity between those with technology and broadband access at home and those without was on full display. Toledo Lucas County Public Library saw countless community members huddled up outside their buildings to use the WiFi that was intentionally kept on to help keep our most vulnerable community members connected. Schools distributed WiFi hotspots and Chromebooks to families in need. These efforts to bridge the digital divide are laudable, but still don’t fully address just how problematic the digital divide still is for many in our community. A number of community organizations are coming together to address this problem, and we are looking for partners like you to help bridge that divide. 

​By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At a special meeting at 1:55 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, just prior to its regularly scheduled agenda review meeting for next week’s session, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on ordinances that would authorize general obligation bonds in 2020 for capital improvement projects. Ordinance 339-20 would approve $10,555,000 in bonds for the reconstruction of Summit Street downtown, Ordinance 340-20 would approve $4,000,000 in bonds for various other street projects, Ordinance 341-20 would approve $1,225,000 in bonds for redevelopment of Levis Square downtown, and Ordinance 342-20 would approve $1,000,000 in bonds for sidewalks. Also on the agenda is Ordinance 338-20 which would authorize issuance of $2,460,000 in notes for sidewalks and also retire an outstanding note.

As the summer winds down and we look toward fall, it's time to recognize our newest members who joined the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce in August 2020. We're thrilled to welcome these new members to our established group of more than 2,300 organizations throughout the Toledo Region.