By Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on October 29, Toledo City Council is expected to refer to the plan commission Ordinance 506-19 which would establish a permit process to allow for up to five off-premise poster panel signs on buildings downtown. The proposal is aimed at improving the visual appearance of building exteriors in the business and entertainment areas of the city center. Such signs would generally occupy a minimum of 80 percent of a building wall surface and could be an electronic static or moving image, but could not be located within a 750-foot radius of another poster panel sign.

Around the world, from the U.S. and China to Japan and South Korea, with instability due to Brexit in the EU, global traders are easing off. The International Monetary Fund forecast global growth at 3 percent for 2019, which is the lowest since 2009.

Despite dips in the global trade market, in order to continue to grow the global economy as well as themselves, many economists argue, according to an article by BBC News, business leaders must continue to expand to new markets, uphold brand consistency and continue to export abroad.

By ​Sabrina D'Onofrio, CGBP, CBA​

Tackling export issues can be quite challenging if you aren’t familiar with the process. Export Success at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce (TRCC), together with the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) Northwest Ohio, United Parcel Service (UPS), and the U.S. Commercial Service can help you and your company get over these hurdles and provide guidance in the world of exporting.

By Amanda DePerro

On Sept. 30, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) marked the end of its fiscal year. Throughout the year, the SBDC upheld its mission to support entrepreneurs of all backgrounds and scales, whether the entrepreneur was in his or her first steps of planning a business or whether the small business had been an established part of the northwest Ohio community for decades.

Ohio's TechCred Program gives businesses the chance to up-skill current and future employees in today’s tech-infused economy. The program is expected to fund up to 20,000 technology-focused credentials over the next two years. The last day to submit an application for the first round of the TechCred program is Thursday, Oct. 31.  

Ohio is battling opioid misuse in communities across our state. It’s important we work together to address this crisis. And there are many ways you can help.

​​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on October 15, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 468-19 which would establish a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for portions of downtown. The TIF area would generally be within the boundaries of the Maumee River and Swan Creek to the east, 21st Street to the west, Jackson Street to the north, and Washington Street and the Anthony Wayne Trail to the south. Payments in lieu of property taxes on improvements to parcels would be made into a fund designated for infrastructure upgrades within the territory for a period of 30 years. Also, payments from the fund would be made in lieu of taxes to Toledo Public Schools as part of an agreement with the school district.

The owners of Fowl and Fodder, Adams Street Cafe, and Poco Piatti teamed up to bring free driver service, the Lunch Limo Loop, to drive hungry downtown workers to the Adams Street Business District. The service began Oct. 7.