​By: Brian Dicken, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

​On July 10, the 180th Fighter Wing officially broke ground on two new facilities that will enhance their ability to carry out its mission. Those facilities include new hangers to support the federal aerospace control alert (ACA) and the deployment processing facility. Both of these projects have been supported by the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce through our advocacy efforts with state and federal officials. 

By: Joan Browne Kose, ​The Ability Center Disability Dialog

Earlier this month, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted its second event in the Chamber U: Diversity & Inclusion Series. Hosted at Lott Industries, a panel of three experts made the business case highlighting differing abilities in the workplace and showcased resources available to businesses looking to grow their workforce in a way that pays. 

​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.

​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. 

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.

Man·u·fac·ture
/ man(y)Ə’fak(t)SH Ər/
Verb :: to make, invent or fabricate

We’re making it in Toledo. Smart things like solar panels and biotech. Iconic things like Jeep® brand SUVs and Libbey glass. Best of all, we’re making it together, thanks to our dynamic culture built upon a heritage of hard work and a can-do attitude.
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In the Toledo Region, It Matters Where You Make It ®. Which is why, when the US Census Bureau announces Manufacturing Week and the 7th annual observance of Manufacturing Day, we have major cause to celebrate. Many of our region’s top employers and a significant share of small businesses have a major manufacturing component and a giant impact on the local economy.

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.

​TRCC ALL IN will be the phrase celebrated this week by our staff and member volunteers. We are hosting a two-day Membership Campaign with the DC Comic inspired theme of ALL IN. More than 300 volunteers will come together at campaign headquarters over the course of two days to bring in new members to the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. A huge thanks to the leadership and employees of Buckeye Broadband for hosting us and providing the technology to make this event a success.

The goal of the campaign is to bring our existing members together in a fun, collaborative and competitive atmosphere, while sharing the Chamber story with the region at large. It will create community awareness of the important role of the Toledo Chamber and our mission to connect business with resources and opportunities; advocate for a thriving business environment and lead the charge to promote the assets of the region. 

Please note: Our staff will be off-site at Campaign Headquarters Tuesday, August 28th and Wednesday, August 29th. Chamber offices will be CLOSED for the duration of the event, and reopen at 8:30 am, Thursday, August 30th. For more information about membership or the campaign, please contact Eric Stockard, VP for Membership at the Chamber at 419.344.9626.
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This is the first volunteer driven membership drive the Chamber has embarked on in more than a decade. Sixteen community leaders have stepped-up and agreed to be event Chairs and provide a team. “The response from the business community for this effort has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Wendy Gramza, President and CEO of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This is the perfect time to engage our volunteers to help us share the message of the work the Chamber is doing to move our region forward.”