By: Emily Dammeyer, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​Over the course of three days during our membership event, we welcomed 324 new members to the Chamber. It was a marathon event, with short shift sprints scattered throughout each day. This type of event wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated and energetic commitment of our volunteers. More than 300 community leaders came together to share our message and mission.
Our theme for the event was “All In”, inspired by the DC Marvel comic strip The Justice League. Dressed in capes, staff greeted all four shifts with a cheer and a high five. You can see on Facebook and Twitter how our volunteers embraced the energy and had a lot of fun with the event. It was their passion and excitement that gave us so many introductions to new members.

Why did 300+ businesses become members in two days? For two reasons – first, because of our awesome volunteers, and second, because they believe in the work that we do. As a Chamber, with more than 2,000 businesses, we recognize the importance of economic development to moving the region forward. We are committed to lobbying for business, creating opportunities for jobs and workforce development, and recruiting a talented workforce to the area. ​Thank you to everyone who volunteered to make this event a success.

​Superior Uniform Sales is celebrating 35 years of supplying quality uniform apparel to public and private sector organizations. From outfitting the Oregon Police Department and Buckeye Broadband’s service personnel to customized shirts for the popular Columbus, OH breakfast spot Hangover Easy, this family-owned business is taking the uniform world by storm.
 
Now in their fourth generation of family leadership, Superior Uniform Sales is proud to say that their employees have a long tenure with the company, some having worked there for more than 25 years. With roots dating back to 1902, Superior Uniform Sales officially opened for business in 1983 when the family’s industrial laundry business, Superior Overall Laundry Co., acquired the Toledo-based Giha’s Uniforms. Initially operated by Bill Darah Jr. and his cousin Louis Darah, less than a decade later the industrial laundry business was sold and Bill and Louis focused solely on the direct sale business.

​Contacts: 
Jessica McClellan, Practice Growth Manager                                              
mcclellan@wvco.com
419.891.1040                                                 
 
(August 27, 2018) – Locally recognized accounting and advisory firm William Vaughan Company is pleased to announce being named one of INSIDE Public Accounting’s (IPA) Best of the Best Firms for the fourth consecutive year in a row.
 
“We are extremely honored to be named an IPA Best of the Best firm for another year,” said Aaron Swiggum, Managing Partner. “Our firm is growing strategically across all industry sectors to respond to the needs of our clients. I think this honor speaks to the level of skill, talent and hard work of our professionals, as well as the legacy of the firm.”
 
IPA’s annual Best of the Best recognition honors CPA firms across the country for their superior financial and operational performance based on more than 70 criteria. The selections were based on responses from more than 550 firms that participated in this year’s IPA Survey and Analysis of Firms.

This week, 30 Chamber members had the opportunity to hear from key officials from Governor John Kasich’s administration and discuss the issues impacting their businesses. Members met with Commissioner Joe Testa, Ohio Department of Taxation, Director David Goodman, Development Services Agency, and Kevin Abrams, Chief Operating Officer of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Topics included the Ohio Business Gateway and Modernized eFile, the state’s small business development centers, export assistance for businesses looking to expand into global markets, opportunity zones, and BWC’s 2018 Billion Back and its impact on future rates.
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After the conversation, Brian Dicken, vice president of advocacy & public policy, accepted a ceremonial check from Mr. Abrams representing the $50.5 million made out to the Toledo Region employers for the “More Than A Billion Back Again” campaign. This spring, Governor Kasich and BWC Administrator Sarah Morrison announced a $1.5 billion premium rebate. Since 2011, BWC has returned over $8 billion in worker’s compensation savings back to Ohio’s economy.

Founded by Tom Schaeffer in 2015, Black Cloister Brewing Company (BCBC) is conveniently located on the northwest corner of the Warehouse District in downtown Toledo. Located in the historic Hannons Block building, the brick archways and unique features are original to the 142 year old building.
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There is rich history throughout the brewery, packed right into their name “Black Cloister.” As a Lutheran Pastor, Schaeffer wanted to pay tribute to his roots and Martin Luther, father of the modern day Protestant Church, originally studied at Black Cloister in Germany in the 16th century.

​​The Air Force Reserve is delighted to announce the opening of a recruiting office in Toledo, OH.  It is located in the Jesse James Complex at 559 S. Reynolds Rd, Toledo OH 43616.  The Air Force Reserve provides a way to expand experiences and serve your country while being able to choose where you live and work. The unique location of the Toledo Office provides members the ability to choose between Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Youngstown Air Reserve Base or Grissom Air Force Base. 

​Computerworld released their “Best Places to Work in IT” and Owens Corning hit #2 on the list for the second consecutive year, jumping from #47 where they initially appeared five years ago. We had a chance to sit down with Annie Baymiller, Director in Owens Corning’s Global Information Services organization and Ty Paris, Early Career Specialist to talk about the initiatives that are helping guide their culture.

In June the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce held its Chamber U event on the topic of building and zoning permit processes. This was a forum aimed at helping local businesses better understand these processes and how to avoid project delays or other issues. Conversations on property development and zoning are a part of the Institute for Leadership & Advocacy’s sessions on economic development and planning sustainable communities, and graduates were invited to attend the forum.

​The discussion included a panel of building inspection and zoning officials from local departments who answered questions and covered topics such as permit processing timelines, common issues delaying permit issuance, and improvements underway to improve service. Panel participants included Steven Shrake, City of Toledo Chief Building Official; David Golis, Lucas County Chief Building Official; and Jim Gilmore, City of Oregon Building & Zoning Commissioner.

​(Chicago, IL) – ProMedica Corporate Headquarters in Toledo, Ohio, has earned national recognition in the 2018 Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel awards program (IDEAS2). In honor of this achievement, members of the project team were presented with awards from the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) during a ceremony that took place at the building on Monday, June 25, at 1 p.m. ET.

In recognition of its particular accomplishments in adaptive reuse, the project has been selected to receive the IDEAS2 Award’s Presidential Award of Excellence for Adaptive Reuse, the only project in the competition to be so honored.

In a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning, Children’s Discovery Center reopened its downtown Toledo Center. The energy of Toledo’s downtown revitalization has inspired the renovation.

Open House Dates: Tuesday, June 19 and Thursday, June 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
Children’s Discovery Center has been serving the greater Toledo Community since 1982 by providing early education and childcare. Their award-winning philosophy —which includes STEAM and Reggio Emilia inspired education— has been nationally recognized. “We are delighted to present the new downtown Children’s Discovery Center to the community,” stated CEO Lois Rosenberry. “Our centers are unique and provide children with award-winning educational programs and parents with the peace of mind that their children are being cared for in a loving and stimulating environment.”