For 85 years Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio has been changing lives through the power of work in Toledo and throughout the Northwest Ohio region.
 
Earlier today, Goodwill hosted an anniversary celebration and ribbon cutting at its new headquarters located in Uptown Toledo at 1120 Madison Avenue. Supporters including clients, long-standing community partners, members of the business community and staff joined in the festivities.
 
“Goodwill’s impact begins with the generosity of community members and business partners, so we were particularly excited to kick-off our anniversary celebration with them by our side,” said Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio President and CEO Amy Wachob. “Together, we create life-changing opportunities and, ultimately, a stronger community right here in the Toledo Region. While Goodwill has a new downtown location, we remain committed to our mission of changing lives through the power of work.”

Owners: Mariah Peake & Josef Pipoly
Established: April 2017
Location: 4949 Stickney Ave., Toledo, OH 43612
Website

Mariah Peake & Josef Pipoly are both native to the Toledo Region. With two very different backgrounds, the two have combined their unique skill sets to form PACENERGIES, a consulting firm that helps clients maximize their energy efficiency, while minimizing business costs associated with energy. PACENERGIES helps clients procure financing while developing, engineering, and completing energy savings projects for commercial, industrial, and governmental spaces.

​Regional water – it’s a topic that has headlined every major news outlet in the region in the recent weeks. But what does it really mean for you, your family and your business?
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Regional water is our opportunity to ensure that clean, AFFORDABLE water continues to flow from our taps for generations to come. Collaboration among multiple communities like the proposed Toledo Area Water Authority, or TAWA, is unprecedented – we can make positive, national headlines for setting history, borders and politics aside to protect our residents and our water source – before we hit crisis mode.

Get informed on the proposed regional water plan by visiting the TAWA website at ToledoWater.org.

The benefits of TAWA are numerous. Watch this quick video to learn more or read our previous article, Why TAWA. Beyond keeping rates affordable, TAWA has the opportunity to establish a low-income assistance and lead line replacement programs to maintain safe, affordable water supply. It also a commitment to establish additional water sources, so that in emergency situations our residents still have access to water.

​Owners:  Owned by original founder and the Area Presidents and CFO’s
Est. in Toledo: October 2017
 
FocusCFO works with businesses that want to improve their internal cash flow, the efficiency of their business, and the overall value of their company.  Established in Toledo by Fred Dannhauser, FocusCFO works with businesses that are growing, struggling or just need a little help to make some improvements. They specifically focus on the business and operations side, not on accounting.

​​Early this fall, a delegation including thirteen representatives from eight area firms took the new American Airlines’ nonstop service to Charlotte, North Carolina out of Toledo Express Airport for an intercity visit. The visit was organized by the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, as an opportunity for our members to learn about the economic prosperity of Charlotte and generate new ideas for our area.
 
Charlotte was of particular interest for many reasons but most of all to showcase the new direct route from Toledo Express to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which opens the business community in the Toledo Region to many exciting opportunities. The city was also chosen because of existing relationships between the Charlotte and Toledo Chambers of Commerce and between Toledo Region businesses with those in the Charlotte area.  These relationships played a crucial role in securing the new route and this trip was the next step in strengthening those relationships and creating new ones.

Knight Insurance Group has been insuring the Toledo Region for more than 150 years! Headquartered on Erie Street in Downtown Toledo, the agency has big plans for 2018.

In mid-2017, the firm announced its plan to acquire the Denver Wholesale Florist shop located next to its current office. It is a win-win for both businesses. In a sweeping plan to renovate, Knight will xpand its  office next door, create loft- style living on the top floor, and beautified parking lot  that is a focal point as visitors enter downtown Toledo from the interstate. These renovation plans will help Knight continue itslegacy of excellence as the acquisition provides  the necessary space to expand its personal Private Client Group and middle-market business department.
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The expansion also shows Knight’s commitment to the Warehouse District, a bustling and rejuvenated neighborhood within the downtown.  Knight has long supported the Toledo Warehouse District Association, with Diane Keil-Hipp, COO, as its president for the last ten years, and Ken Knight as a long-time board member.  Knight has been the major sponsor of Wander the Warehouse District, the annual open house tour, for 15 years.

​What happens when more than 20 local firms come together on a project over the course of three years? “Pride,” says Robin Whitney, senior vice president of real estate and construction at ProMedica. “It leads to a great thing.” Whitney started with ProMedica in May of 2014 with her first primary project being the revitalization of the historic Water Street Station. Water Street Station was originally built in 1896 to support the electricity needs due to the invention of Thomas Edison’s light bulb and it is now continuing to fulfill the mission of supporting innovation and creativity through housing ProMedica’s headquarters. “We have deep respect for the rich legacy of the Steam Plant and its vital location along the Maumee River at the mouth of Swan Creek. We’re glad to preserve this piece of history and share it with the community,” says Randy Oostra, president and CEO of ProMedica.

​A new Lott! For more than 60 years Lott Industries has been a vital community partner and resource to businesses in the Toledo region while offering employment to adults with developmental disabilities. Currently undergoing a powerful transformation, Lott is expanding services and programming to assist more people with disabilities and barriers to employment. Broadening habilitation and employment services to provide a more comprehensive approach that assist individuals to reach their full potential, the new mission of Lott has a fresh, integrated approach.  What does this look like? Tim Menke, CEO of Lott, explains, “Our new mission is to empower people with barriers to employment, transform businesses, and enhance our community. With our new mission in mind, we are excited to expand services and our network of partners in the Toledo business community and surrounding region.” Lott has helped countless businesses reach their goals by filling their workforce and production needs, while also removing barriers to employment for thousands of adults with developmental disabilities.

​In 2007, Becky Ohm and her husband opened the doors of the Flying Joe, originally known as the Flying Bean, in Levis Commons. Both former fighter pilots, they knew they wanted the look and feel of the shop to reflect their personalities and also be a place where people could "meet their neighbors." Having been in the air force for years, the two were looking for a place to call home.

​​The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is actively working to support workforce development efforts and career opportunities as part of the overall strategy to attract and retain talent in the Toledo Region. That’s why we host Morning Access: Education & Workforce every year, to provide an opportunity for business and education leaders to connect directly in a relaxed business setting, leading to mutually beneficial conversation and opportunities for the community.