​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​At the regular meeting of Toledo City Council today at 4:00 p.m., action is expected on Ordinances 39-19 and 40-19 which would authorize easements to facilitate development of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.’s hot briquetted iron production facility. First reading is expected on 39-19 which would allow Generations Pipeline, LLC to install a 16-inch subsurface natural gas pipeline through a portion of the Collins Park Water Treatment Facility property. Council is expected to vote on 40-19 which would allow IronUnits LLC to install a rail line and conveyor system across and in the vicinity of Front Street.

​As a current participant or past graduate of the Institute for Leadership & Advocacy, service on a public sector board or commission is an excellent way to involve yourself in the local government decision-making process. These bodies exist for different functions and consist of local leaders who use their expertise to make or inform decisions that impact the community. 

​Council Member Spotlight
 
Jennifer Zalecki is the newest addition of the Small Business Advisory Council, having been appointed in 2018. She is the President/CEO/Owner of Battery Wholesale, a specialty retail chain operating in Northwest Ohio and Southwest Michigan since 1983. The family-owned business operates seven locations, including retail stores, two warehouses, a battery build shop, and a business-to-business sales division. Zalecki enriches the Council with her experience of managing all aspects of the day-to-day operations of her consumer-facing business.
 
Relatively new to service in professional business organizations, Zalecki is eager to learn about the issues that affect Ohio businesses and give back to her community. In addition to the Council, she also serves on the Boards of the Toledo Area Small Business Association, ProMedica Physicians and Continuum Services, and the Stone Oak Homeowners Association.

This story was originally posted in the CSI Week in Review. For more information on the Common sense Initiative, please visit their website. 

​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. today, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 501-18 which would approve a $50,000 contribution for a talent alignment strategy study being led by the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. The study will analyze the availability of talent and 21st Century skills in the Toledo region to ensure education and workforce efforts are aligned with the economy. This evaluation will allow the development of strategies to better fill the needs of the region’s talent pipeline. Partners in the initiative include Lucas County, the Wood County Economic Development Commission, the Fulton County Economic Development Corporation, The University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, and the Toledo Community Foundation.

The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce thanks our local leaders who recently joined us in recognizing November 24th as Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday was founded in 2010 as an annual shopping tradition dedicated to supporting small businesses in communities across the nation.
 
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 44,700 businesses with fewer than 100 employees in Northwest Ohio. These small businesses comprise 92 percent of all firms in the region.

​By: Tim Schneider, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. today, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Resolution 482-18 recognizing November 24 as Small Business Saturday. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce will be joined by Chamber member Frank Viviano of Bartz Viviano Flowers & Gifts as part of the recognition. Small Business Saturday is an annual shopping tradition dedicated to supporting small businesses in communities across the nation. Nearly 80 percent of the Chamber’s membership is small businesses. Chamber services to small businesses include representation though the Toledo Area Small Business Association and hosting the Small Business Development Center for the region.

​At its regular meeting at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Toledo City Council is expected to vote on Ordinance 417-18 which would approve amending a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) agreement with Troy Township, Wood County in order to add 512 acres of undeveloped land into the district. The request comes from the East Ohio Gas Company which is the owner of the property. NSG Pilkington North America is planning to construct a 511,000 square foot plant on the JEDD site for production of specialty sheet glass for the solar panel manufacturing industry.
 
Council is also expected to vote on Ordinance 465-18 which would authorize $30,000 to the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG) for a Toledo-Detroit Rail Ridership Feasibility & Cost Estimate Study. The total cost of the study is $50,000 of which TMACOG is contributing the remaining $20,000.

​The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Lucas County, has signed a contract with Avalanche Consulting and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) to conduct a Talent Alignment Study.

The research will analyze the availability of talent and 21st Century skills in the Toledo Region.  The goal of this study is to develop data-based strategies that will ensure education and workforce efforts are aligned with the local economy.
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Multiple partners have signed on to support this strategic initiative including Bowling Green State University, Fulton County Economic Development, the Toledo Community Foundation, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, the University of Toledo and Wood County Economic Development.
The bulk of the research and data collection will take place between July and September 2018.  Initial data findings will be presented in late fall, and the final strategic recommendations are scheduled to be announced in February 2019.

By: Brian Dicken, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

Due to the $13.7 billion economic impact the defense industry has on our state, the Chamber and its leadership are actively engaged in discussions and advocacy at the state and federal level. Chamber President and CEO Wendy Gramza currently serves on the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Civic Leader Program and Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy was recently asked to join the opening panel at the 2018 Ohio Defense Forum.
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The Toledo Region is fortunate to have diversity in its military units. While the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing is often the most recognized unit in the region, there are also components of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Coast Guard and other federal assets that provide service to our region and nation. These units are comprised of several thousand members and contribute tens of millions of dollars to our local economy. The Chamber supports these efforts by coordinating the Northwest Ohio Military Affairs Committee. The committee meets regularly to discuss the needs and opportunities to support these units in the region. It is comprised of the units, service organizations, key employers and elected officials.