In the News
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We are getting noticed around the region and the globe. Read how the Columbus Chamber, our members and the Columbus business community are making headlines.
To arrange an interview with a member of the Columbus Chamber team, contact:
Michelle Bretscher, APR
Vice President, Marketing and Communication
W: (614) 225.6908
C: 614.499.0889
michelle_bretscher@columbus.org
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News
May 23, 2013
Home Sales in Columbus on the Rise
Despite the lag in pricing, homes sales continue to rise in the Columbus Region as the economy continues to improve. Last month, Columbus home sales increased by 30 percent.
Read more in The Columbus Dispatch. -
News
May 22, 2013
Franklin County Examines its Financial Options
Experts examining Franklin County’s finances are leaning toward a declaration that there is a “structural imbalance,” and the county is spending more than it is making. County officials say a decision must be made about reducing services, sacrificing the county’s top-shelf bond ratings or finding new money which could include a county sales tax increase.
The Chamber continues to monitor this issue. Please contact Kristen Easterday, Director, Local Government Relations with questions or concerns at kristen_easterday@columbus.org. Read more in the Columbus Dispatch. -
News
May 22, 2013
Franklin County Recorder Offers ID Cards for Veterans
A new program by Franklin County Recorder Terry Brown allows Franklin County veterans to obtain a Document Identification Card, which can help businesses that offer discounts to veterans easily identify our community heroes.
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News
May 21, 2013
Member Huntington Bank Receives National Award for Export Service
From a Huntington Bank Press Release:
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Huntington (NASDAQ: HBAN; www.huntington.com) is a winner of the 2013 President’s “E Star” Award for Export Service. Presented by the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, the award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for supporting export activity. Huntington stands out as the only banking institution among a handful of corporate America’s top companies to receive the award presented at the 51st annual President’s “E” Award Ceremony in Washington D.C. on May 20 during World Trade Month.
“Huntington has demonstrated a sustained commitment to export expansion,” said Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca M. Blank in her congratulatory letter. “The ‘E’ Awards Committee was very impressed with Huntington’s achievement with regional business and trade promotion groups. The company’s development of creative financing solutions for exporters was particularly compelling. Huntington’s achievements have undoubtedly contributed to national export expansion efforts that support the U.S. economy and create American jobs.” Among its most notable contributions to Midwest export expansion, Huntington began offering manufacturers the ability to finance foreign buyers that want to buy American products. The bank also developed an export finance capability by actuating its delegated lending authority under the U.S. Export-Import Bank Working Capital Program. Huntington has provided a mix of international services, trade services and foreign exchange since the mid-1970s and last received a President’s “E” Award in 1982. The Midwest currently accounts for $241 billion in U.S. exports - part of the larger $2.1 trillion export-import mega market, which experienced 17.1 percent growth over the last three years. Over the next five years 87 percent of world economic growth is forecasted to take place outside of the U.S. according to the International Monetary Fund. Capitalizing on these trends, Huntington appointed veteran international banker Sheila Spradlin Reich late last year to expand its international banking services into a unified team of trade services, foreign-owned subsidiaries and U.S. Export-Import Bank lending that operates seamlessly with Huntington’s extensive commercial banking treasury management and capital markets divisions. She has since assembled a team of specialists further aligning the bank culturally with language fluency and tailored financial expertise serving European and Latin American mid- to large-size corporates and Asian foreign-owned subsidiaries across Huntington's footprint. Huntington’s leadership in helping companies increase their export activity is directly tied to the bank’s broader efforts to help drive economic growth and recovery across the Midwest. It’s estimated that 5,400 direct and indirect jobs are created for every $1 billion in new exports.* “As a Midwest company, Huntington is at the heart of the economic recovery,” said Spradlin Reich. “Exporters are playing a vital role in creating and sustaining our economy as evidenced by those who’ve weathered the recession. We’ve deepened our international banking expertise at Huntington and are committed to helping exporters and the Midwest continue to benefit from their expansion and growth.” Huntington will expand its export-import business relationships in 2013 and beyond with plans of rolling out customized solutions including a new foreign buyer finance program that provides foreign borrowing with loans guaranteed through Export-Import Bank of the United States. The “E” Award Program was established by Executive Order on December 5, 1961. A second level of the award is the “E Star” Award, which was authorized by the Secretary of Commerce in 1969 to recognize previous “E” Award winners for continued significant contributions to U.S. export expansion. The awards ceremony serves as a reminder that the U.S. has the best workers and the best businesses in the world, and of the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration’s continued efforts to ensure that American businesses get a fair shot in the global economy. About Huntington
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $56 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The Huntington National Bank, founded in 1866, provides full-service commercial, small business, and consumer banking services; mortgage banking services; treasury management and foreign exchange services; equipment leasing; wealth and investment management services; trust services; brokerage services; customized insurance brokerage and service programs; and other financial products and services. The principal markets for these services are Huntington’s six-state banking franchise: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The primary distribution channels include a banking network of more than 700 traditional branches and convenience branches located in grocery stores and retirement centers, and through an array of alternative distribution channels including internet and mobile banking, telephone banking, and more than 1,400 ATMs. Through automotive dealership relationships within its six-state banking franchise area and selected other Midwest and New England states, Huntington also provides commercial banking services to the automotive dealers and retail automobile financing for dealer customers. * International Trade Administration, 2010, “Exports Support American Jobs,” Washington. -
News
May 20, 2013
Member Porter Wright attorney Robert Meyer elected president of CBF
Release from Porter Wright:
COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 17, 2013) — Robert A. Meyer, Jr., a partner in Porter Wright's Corporate Department, has been elected as President of the Columbus Bar Foundation for the 2013-14 term by the Trustees of the Foundation. Meyer is a Fellow of the Foundation and served as its vice president for the 2012-13 term.
Meyer has practiced law for 35 years and is a member of the firm's Real Estate and Environmental Law practice groups, focusing his work on zoning, annexation and land use planning, as well as green business and development. He has secured or directed the securing of zoning and other entitlement approvals for over 30,000 residential units, as well as numerous commercial and industrial developments. He has also represented clients in matters arising under the federal Clean Air Act and Ohio's air pollution statute, and rules and policies implementing both. In addition to his service to the Columbus Bar Foundation, Meyer is President of 412 Sycamore Incorporated, a nonprofit organization associated with the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio. He is a Life Fellow of The Ohio State Foundation and is a member of the Distinguished Alumni Council of the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. About Porter Wright
Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP is a large law firm that traces its roots to 1846 in Ohio. With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; and Naples, Florida, Porter Wright provides counsel to a worldwide base of clients. About the Columbus Bar Foundation
The Columbus Bar Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Columbus legal community. Its mission is to strive to increase access to justice, improve the administration of justice and promote excellence in legal education through scholarships and grants. -
News
May 20, 2013
Chamber Members Honored at Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 Awards
Congratulations to Bob Coughlin, CEO of Paycor, Inc., and Scott White, President of IGS Energy, for being honored at the Ernst & Young South Central and Kentucky Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 Awards for their remarkable achievements and contributions in creating jobs and enhancing their communities. Both Paycor, Inc. and IGS Energy are members of the Columbus Chamber. Coughlin will take home honors for Master Entrepreneur and White will be honored as Social Entrepreneur. Congratulations also to finalists at other Chamber member businesses:
- Michael Glimcher, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Glimcher Realty Trust
- Kristen Harris, Owner, Portfolio Creative
- Catherine Lang-Cline, Owner, Portfolio Creative
- Ryan Rybolt, President, Infinitech
- Joao Simoes, President and CEO, Davenport Aviation, Inc.
The award ceremony is June 27 at 5:30 p.m. in Cincinnati, Ohio at the Hyatt Regency. Tickets are available now. -
News
May 20, 2013
Local Station CD102.5 Praised in CNN about Radio in America
From CD102.5 (WWCD-FM):
In a story released Friday, May 17 on CNN Radio and CNN Entertainment online, Columbus radio station CD102.5 (WWCD-FM) is lauded as one of the last bastions of commercial radio’s local connection to its community.
Opening with the story of the station’s long-standing front man and champion Andy “Andyman” Davis, Producers Todd Leopold and Gavin Godfrey use a series of wide ranging interviews with everyone from Clear Channel’s CEO Bob Pittman to Mark Lipsky, president and CEO of the Radio Agency, to tell the story of commercial radio’s battle against new technology and struggle for new listeners. As an independently operated and locally owned radio station the stories recognize CD102.5 as “a rare bird in an increasingly generic business,” and hold up the station as a shining example of how radio is staying relevant inAmerica. Extensively quoting station owner Randy Malloy, CNN identifies him as the “one-man chamber of commerce” forColumbusand Malloy’s and CD102.5’s passion and commitment to their community is plainly evident. The stories highlight both the station’s and the DJ’s connection toColumbusand document the many testimonials by staff members that working for the station is “a dream come true.” The station’s success is attributed to the different way they do business, and to their focus on staying very plugged into the community—with support for community events, the arts and culture and local music just a few of the examples. New music and emerging artists are also part of the formula for success. The Lumineers, Fitz and the Tantrums, the Black Keys and Mumford & Sons are all listed as “among the groups that have used WWCD as a launching pad.” With 40 slots for new and emerging music, “a huge number in the play-it-safe world of commercial radio,” steadily increasing ratings and revenue point to the success of this very different attitude and business model. Despite the recession and tragedy of Andyman’s loss in 2010, the CNN stories tell the tale of CD102.5’s perseverance and success. A big part of that positive attitude Malloy and the staff credit to Andyman. As Leopold’s online story says of Andyman, “His spirit is always present: the spirit of a big-hearted man, the spirit of music radio.” Hear more. About WWCD/CD102.5 FM
WWCD/CD102.5 FM is an independently owned and locally operated radio station based in Columbus, Ohio with a 24,000 watt tower located in Baltimore, Ohio. The station was founded in 1990 and currently has 30 employees. -
News
May 20, 2013
Member DataCenter.Biz Hosts Ohio's Internet Exchange, OhioIX.net
From DataCenter.Biz release:
DataCenter.BZ is proud to be hosting operations for OhioIX.net following its recent launch by a founding group of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) serving Ohio and surrounding states.
By locating at DataCenter.BZ, OhioIX.net is able to take advantage of direct access to the many long-haul and regional carrier fiber routes that converge on DataCenter.BZ’s property (Columbus’ "carrier hotel"). Participation by other ISPs and exchange members (large education systems, significant Internet content providers, etc.) is underway as OhioIX.net expands local peering to mitigate the hauling of regional Internet traffic to exchanges in Chicago, New York, etc., with pricing and performance benefits enjoyed by area providers, businesses and consumers alike. Read more. -
News
May 20, 2013
Savings Partner Wells Fargo Shares Legislative Updates
Columbus Chamber savings partner, Wells Fargo, released legislative updates including the model exchange notice by the U.S. Department of Labor, the updated Summary of Benefits and Coverage template for the second year of use, the published and revised individual exchange application by the Department of Health and Human Services, and the proposed regulations on the effect of wellness incentives for employees under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act issued by the Internal Revenue Service.
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News
May 20, 2013
Member Manta Named Finalist for 2013 Red Herring Top 100 North America Award
From a Manta Press Release:
Columbus Chamber member, Manta, the largest online community dedicated entirely to small business, has been selected as a finalist for the 2013 Red Herring Top 100 North America Award, a prominent list honoring the year's most promising private technology projects from the North American business region.
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News
May 20, 2013
Member Dynamit Adding 30 Jobs, Building New Columbus Headquarters
From a Columbus 2020 Release:
Columbus, OH – Dynamit Technologies LLC, a data, design and technology company, is expanding to a new office in the Arena District as part of growth plans that include creating 30 new jobs over the next three years.
"We started the company in Columbus and have benefited from regional advantages like quality of life and a relevant talent pool," said Matt Dopkiss, co-founder and CEO. "We'll continue to grow our team with a variety of creative professionals such as architects, engineers, designers, writers, and account
managers. We love Columbus and are thrilled to call it our home.” Said Columbus City Councilmember Zach M. Klein, chair of the Development Committee, “The Columbus Development Department continues to do everything it can to attract or retain top businesses in our community. Every company, every job is important to continue building a strong economy.” Dynamit is partnering with local architecture firm GRA+D to design its new headquarters in a fashion that promotes community, creativity, and collaboration. GRA+D is known for its unique interiors at Northstar, Jeni’s, and Homage. Dynamit plans to be in its new space by early 2014 while staff growth will continue over a three-year period. The additions will increase the company's team size to over 60. “Dynamit is a premier example of our region’s ability to attract and retain highly skilled creative and IT professionals,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “I’m proud to see this locally grown company boosting job opportunities for our residents and demonstrating a long-term commitment to Central Ohio.” About Dynamit Technologies LLC
Dynamit is a data, design and technology company focused on structuring and expressing data with clients. Dynamit’s multi-disciplined team partners with client stakeholders in IT, Business and Marketing to deliver meaningful solutions with implications for their customers' bottom lines. Dynamit serves clients in multiple sectors including: restaurant, retail, healthcare, hospitality and media. Dynamit was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies in the United States in 2012 and was named the Ohio Interactive Agency of the Year in 2011. Client work has been honored in the Webby Awards, The Horizon Interactive Awards, The New York Times and a variety of other publications.
Dynamit is based in Columbus, Ohio. Clients include: BBC, AP, McGraw Hill, American Electric Power, Bell Helicopter, Hilton Worldwide, Cardinal Health The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, California Medical Association, Donatos, Panda Express, Charley's Grilled Subs, Whataburger, Marzetti, LimtedBrands, Loblaws, JoeFresh, and LaSenza. About Columbus 2020
Columbus 2020 is a public-private partnership that leverages the strengths of the Columbus Region’s talented workforce, small and large businesses, research and academic institutions, and international connections to ignite economic growth and build a healthier, more sustainable future for Central Ohio. The initiative grows our economy by ensuring that our existing companies are growing and thriving, that the world´s leading companies are attracted to the 11-county region, that innovations are cultivated and commercialized, and that our civic infrastructure is continually improving to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world economy. For more information, visit ColumbusRegion.com. -
News
May 20, 2013
Risk Control 360 Shares Dangers of Distracted Driving
From Risk Control 360:
Workers safety is your business. Texting while driving puts millions of Americans who drive on the job at risk every day. That risk continues to grow as texting becomes more widespread.
As a business owner or manager, it’s your legal responsibility under the Occupational Safety and Health Act to safeguard drivers at work. -
News
May 17, 2013
Columbus Education Commission Recommendations Addressed in New Legislation
On Thursday, May 16 House Bill 167 was introduced by co-sponsors Rep. Tracy Heard and Rep. Cheryl Grossman that would address the recommendations proposed by Columbus Education Commission.
Read more in the Columbus Dispatch. -
News
May 16, 2013
Columbus Putting Bond Issue on Nov. 5 Ballot, First Since 2008
Columbus officials will ask voters to approve a bond issue Nov. 5 to fund capital improvements such as parks projects, road work and firefighting equipment. It would not result in a tax increase for Columbus residents or businesses.
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News
May 16, 2013
Columbus Chamber Works on Dublin TIGER V Grant Application
Over the last couple of weeks the Chamber team has been working with the City of Dublin on its TIGER V grant application to receive federal funding for the Interstate 270 and U.S. Route 33 interchange. The Chamber has been securing support letters from public and private partners for the Dublin application.
The I-270/Route 33 interchange is one of the infrastructure priorities in the Chamber’s Public Policy Agenda. The interchange serves many significant job generators in our region by providing a necessary transportation route for employees on their daily commutes as well as representing a critical logistical link for products to reach the national interstate system. When the Chamber evaluates infrastructure projects and gives its support, it looks at the direct correlation of the project to long-term economic development and job growth potential for the region. The I-270/Route 33 interchange project is vital to the efficiency and health of our region’s transportation network and the continued growth of our economy. -
News
May 16, 2013
Member Chase Adds 500 Jobs to Dublin
Member JPMorgan Chase will add 500 jobs to Dublin. The financial services company plans to lease a six-story building at 5900 Parkwood Place.Colleen Gilger, Dublin’s economic development manager, expects the Chase jobs to bring an annual payroll of about $25 million into the city.
Read more in Columbus Busness First. -
News
May 16, 2013
Gov. Kasich Announced $1 Billion in Workers' Compensation Rebates
Release from Savings Partner CareWorks Consultants, Inc.:
Governor John Kasich announced plans Thursday to give Ohio employers a $1 billion rebate from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) and another $900 million in credits as the agency revamps its payment system.
“I would call this one of the most important economic stimulus measures you can see. We’re actually going to do cash rebates,” the governor said during a news conference at a small T-shirt shop in Columbus. “Being able to give $1 billion in cash means there's going to be a heck of a lot more money floating around inside the state of Ohio and it will be of significant benefit to employers, particularly small business people,” he added. The governor and BWC Administrator Steve Buehrer said they would submit the rebate proposal to BWC’s Board of Directors for approval at their next meeting in late May. “We’re very confident this will happen. Employers will likely see rebate checks in June or July,” the governor said. The governor said the total $1.9 billion proposal was due largely to growth in the bureau's investments, which yielded a return of about 11% over last year. Mr. Buehrer said the bureau's “careful investment approach” has increased net assets to about $8.3 billion, which was separate from the money needed to pay workers' compensation claims and far in excess of the reserve guidelines the board established in 2009. “Therefore, it’s only right that we give (the money) back to the people that paid, the employers of Ohio,” he said. A separate plan to convert the payment system to a prospective schedule, rather than billing in arrears, will require legislative approval, Mr. Buehrer said. Under this proposal, BWC would issue $900 million in credits to employers to offset transition costs, while lowering premium rates another two percent for private employers and four percent for public entities. The surplus will enable BWC to modernize its payment system, Buehrer said, noting the barrier has always been that BWC would have to charge premiums for both the past six months and the future six months at the same time. “Because of the strong net asset position we’ll be able to do a one-time forgiveness, likely in July of 2014 when we make this conversion,” he said. BWC’s board has recommended a ratio for assets to liabilities at a range of 1.15 to 1.35, the administrator said. The proposed $1 billion dividend and the $900 million credit will bring the current 1.49 ratio closer to 1.35. The administration opted to pay dividends instead of focusing on reducing premium rates because it didn't want to “set off the kind of roller coaster that Ohio has had too often, with BWC rates going up and down based on a cash balance,” Buehrer said. He also noted that private insurers often pay dividends when cash assets accumulate. “This is a one-time deal in terms of a big dividend. We will always continue to monitor our net asset position and make appropriate decisions as time goes along. But this is what we have today,” Buehrer added. Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina), who joined the governor at the event, said the legislature was prepared to enact whatever changes were necessary to implement the plan. In addition, BWC will triple the Safety and Wellness Grant program from $5 million to $15 million, officials said. Contact Information:
CareWorks Consultants Inc.
5500 Glendon Court Dublin, Ohio 43016
1-800-837-3200
www.careworksconsultants.com -
News
May 15, 2013
Congressman Stivers Calls on Local Businesses for Job Fair
Congressman Steve Stivers of the 15th Congressional District is holding a job fair with local businesses to help fill more open positions in the region. The job fair will be Friday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pickerington North High School. To learn more, contact Branden Meyer, Office of Congressman Steve Stivers at 740-654-2654 or Branden.Meyer@mail.house.gov.
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May 15, 2013
Ohio Ranked No. 14 for Tech Job Growth
From Columbus Business First:
Ohio's addition of 1,500 tech jobs last year placed it 14th in the country for net growth in the sector, the Dayton Business Journal reports, citing a study from TechAmerica Foundation.
Ohio, the seventh-most-populous state, has a significant presence of jobs in computer systems design and related services with 58,900 workers in 2012, ranking it 10th in that category. Read more. -
News
May 15, 2013
Honda to Add Production Center to Columbus Region
Honda just announced that it will add an additional production plant in Marysville. This will create about 100 additional jobs for the region."Some people are probably wondering, ‘Why here?’ " said Hidenobu Iwata, president and CEO of Honda of America Manufacturing. "The answer is simple — it’s about people. The location of this facility is in the midst of one of the greatest collections of engineering talent in the world."
Read more in the Columbus Dispatch. -
News
May 15, 2013
Columbus Chamber Advocates for Ohio Medicaid Expansion
The Columbus Chamber has been advocating for the expansion of Ohio Medicaid. In a recent Columbus Dispatch letter to the editor, Columbus Chamber President and CEO Michael Dalby encourages Ohioans to act now as “costs will grow faster, and we will have missed an opportunity to address a problem that will only grow worse over time.”
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News
May 14, 2013
Plante Moran Launches 'Women in Leadership' Initiative to Increase Talent Pipeline and Advance Women to Partnership
Release from Plante Moran:
SOUTHFIELD, Michigan – Plante Moran PLLC, one of the nation’s largest certified public accounting and business advisory firms, announces the launch of its Women in Leadership initiative for the attraction, retention, development and advancement of women into leadership positions within the firm.
For the last 25 years, more than 50 percent of accounting majors have been women. Plante Moran’s hiring has reflected this trend and for several years, the firm had one of the highest percentages of female partners among the nation’s largest public accounting firms, according to public accounting trade reports. The firm’s turnover rate is also among the lowest in the profession at 12 percent. The Women in Leadership initiative is designed to help Plante Moran accelerate its ability to both attract and retain women leaders. “Historically, Plante Moran has been a pioneer in women’s issues. For more than 25 years, we have had the PTA (Personal Tightrope Action) Committee to create policies and practices to help retain women and working mothers at the firm; we’ve had flexible work arrangements and we’ve encouraged balance for all of our staff members. While we have done these things well, we can’t afford to stand still; competition for the best candidates is intense, and we want to continue to be able to attract and retain strong performers,” said Gordon Krater, managing partner at Plante Moran and the initiative’s management team sponsor. The long-term goal of the program is to have equal presence, impact and influence from men and women at all levels of the firm, including partnership. Plante Moran is not alone in this challenge, according to Susan Perlin, CPA, a 31-year Plante Moran staff member who, along with her husband, raised two daughters while climbing the career ladder. She is an audit partner in the firm’s not-for-profit services group and is serving as the leader of the Women in Leadership initiative. “Other accounting firms, law firms and Fortune 500 companies are facing similar issues with women in leadership roles, so we are not unique,” said Perlin. “However, we need to reposition ourselves as a leader in the space and this is where the Women in Leadership initiative comes into play.” Plante Moran’s Women in Leadership initiative is driven by four key strategies: - Ensure the initiative has dedicated leadership, senior management team involvement and coordinated activities and programs. The WIL Steering Committee includes a member of the firm’s management team, other partners and liaisons from the human resources, training and marketing groups. - Focus on increasing the visibility of women leaders both internally and externally. Examples include the presentation of highly inspirational profiles of female partners and managers on the firm’s intranet and seven panels of women managers and partners who spoke to female staff at Plante Moran offices. - Provide targeted developmental career opportunities in order to retain and advance women leaders -Continue to work on developing customized career and life integration strategies that complement the firm’s existing and proven work-life programs The program’s success will be measured by several factors, including more women achieving career successes quicker. “We want to increase our focus on developing staff faster and better and developing competencies that will allow more women to become partners,” said Krater. “Success will be shown by an increase in the percentage of women partners, women in leadership positions and when Plante Moran has a larger representation of women where there aren’t currently women leaders internally. That will not only define success, but serve as a competitive advantage for the firm and our clients.” To view a video and learn more about the Plante Moran Women in Leadership initiative, visit http://www.plantemoran.com/about/women-in-leadership/Pages/mission-vision.aspx. About Plante Moran
Plante Moran is among the nation’s largest certified public accounting and business advisory firms, providing clients with tax, audit, risk management, financial, technology, business consulting and wealth management services. Plante Moran has a staff of more than 2,000 professionals in 21 offices throughout Michigan, Ohio and Illinois, with international offices in Shanghai, China; Monterrey, Mexico; and Mumbai, India. -
News
May 14, 2013
Forbes Awards Columbus 'A' Grade for Business
Forbes recently awarded Columbus with a grade of "A" for business, making it the No. 10 best in the U.S.
From Forbes: Columbus has worked hard to foster business growth, shooting up from last year's C+ grade. Startups are a snap here, local owners report, but cited environmental rules as their biggest obstacle.
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News
May 14, 2013
Regional Economy Still Growing
From Sunny 95:
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The first three months were good ones for central Ohio’s economy, according to a report released Monday.
Employers in the 11-county region added 1,000 jobs in the first quarter, the number of building permits increased and so did home sales, according to the economic development update released by regional economic development agency Columbus 2020. Read more. -
News
May 13, 2013
Small Businesses Name Columbus One of the Most Supportive U.S. Cities
From The Metropreneur:
Small businesses give Columbus high marks when rating the most supportive cities in the country, according to the results of a recent survey.
In fact, Columbus earned an “A” in several categories of the Thumbtack.com Small Business Friendliness Survey, including overall small business friendliness (placing it ahead of both Cleveland and Cincinnati) and overall regulatory systems. Columbus earned an “A+” for its licensing and permitting regulations. Read more in The Metropreneur. -
News
May 08, 2013
Medicaid Advocates Tout Ohio Reforms
The Columbus Chamber Government Relations team has advocated for the expansion of Ohio Medicaid since Gov. Kasich first introduced it in January. Vice President of Government Relations at the Chamber Michael Hartley encouraged influencers to "look at what's best for our citizens - and that's helping thousands get coverage."
Read more in the Columbus Dispatch. -
News
May 07, 2013
Columbus City Council Announces Pilot Mobile Food Vendor Program
Columbus City Council has proposed a pilot program that will help guide the growth of the mobile food truck industry in Columbus. The program will allow mobile food vendors, including food trucks, push carts, and ice cream trucks, to sell to patrons from designated spots on the street. The pilot will run from June 1, 2013 through Dec 31, 2013. To be a part of the pilot program, a mobile food vendor must attend an inspection on May 18, 2013. Contact Kristen Easterday, Director, Local Government Relations or the City of Columbus License Department at 614.645.8366 to learn more or view the program details.
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News
May 07, 2013
Columbus Ranked as a Top 15 Big City for Job Growth
Columbus has moved up nine spots in 2013 to earn the No. 13 spot on New Geography's 2013 Best Large Cities for Job Growth list.
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News
May 06, 2013
One Billion Dollars in Workers' Compensation Rebates Coming to Public and Private Employers
Gov. Kasich has proposed a plan to provide rebates for all 210,000 customers of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation and triple grants supporting worker safety programs. The plan would go into effect this summer and rebate checks could be several million dollars. Read more.
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News
May 06, 2013
New Legislation, Ohio Could Collect Sales Taxes from Online Transactions
A bill in the U.S. Senate would allow states the authority to collect sales taxes for purchases made over the Internet. Currently, states can only collect sales taxes online if the store has a physical presence in the state. This legislation, that is being voted on and is expected to pass, would send the sales taxes to the state where the shopper lives. Small businesses who have less than $1 million in online sales would be exempt. The Columbus Chamber will continue to monitor this legislation as it moves to the House of Representatives. Read more in the Washington Post.