In the News
Stay Informed
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
December 30, 2010
Ohio Energy Project in the national news
The Ohio Energy Project, AEP and The Ohio State University are featured in this New York Times article about smart grids and the energy workforce of the future. A presentation to Granville middle school students also is mentioned.
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News
December 28, 2010
Locally, Chase doubles small-business loans
JPMorgan Chase says it has awarded 91 Small Business Administration loans in 2010 in Columbus worth $9.2 million.
Both figures are more than double the number of loans and their value that the bank awarded in 2009.
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News
December 23, 2010
Columbus makes finals in bid to host Olympic trials
Columbus is a step closer to landing the 2012 U.S. Olympic team trials for wrestling and weightlifting.
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News
December 22, 2010
Columbus a best shopping city
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News
December 20, 2010
Metro Chambers Announce Collaboration on State Budget Issue
Recommendations to transform state government, reduce costs unveiled
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Dec. 20, 2010) – In a significant reimagining of state budget issues and Ohio government, nine Ohio-based metropolitan chambers of commerce, including the Columbus Chamber, today jointly released a report recommending sweeping changes designed to help Ohio improve economic performance and reduce costs.
The recommendations are the culmination of an unprecedented year-long process in which the chambers identified, researched and analyzed a wide variety of ideas and narrowed them down to those that will best improve the performance of the state. To facilitate this process, the chambers worked with author and public policy expert David Osborne and former state budget director Greg Browning. The coalition of nine chambers of commerce represents Ohio’s larger metro areas as well as the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. In addition, to the Columbus Chamber, the participating metropolitan chambers of commerce include: Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Akron Chamber, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber. “The budget crisis in Ohio is both sobering and a significant opportunity to fundamentally change the way state and local government operate,” said Tom Humphries, president and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. Humphries leads the metro chambers coalition. “We believe that if the General Assembly and the Governor adopt these recommendations, state and local government will be transformed from systems that maintain the status quo of inefficient, costly government to systems based on performance, outcomes and accountability.” The report, titled “Redesigning Ohio: Transforming Government into a 21st Century Institution,” includes the following recommendations: * Adopt budgeting for outcomes as the underpinning for the government redesign plan. Rather than making incremental changes to the status quo, this approach focuses on what matters most: purchasing outcomes that citizens value. Programs that do not contribute much to those outcomes are no longer included in the budget.
* Establish charter agencies and entrepreneurial management as “bureaucracy busting” measures to save money and/or increase revenues while increasing creativity and flexibility for managers.
* Make state agencies that provide support services to government accountable to their customers, and use the power of competition to drive innovation and improvement.
* Reduce state regulatory enforcement costs by designing regulations that achieve the same outcomes as their predecessors but are easier to comply with and, as a result, decrease the likelihood that they will be violated.
* Implement a comprehensive tax expenditure review to regularly examine the 122 distinct tax expenditures – credits, exemptions and deductions – that amount to $7.7 billion in lost state revenue annually. Also, reduce or cap costly real property tax rollbacks.
* Adopt civil service and compensation reform that will give managers freedom to manage their people; link public employee compensation to performance; and bring state pensions into line with private sector realities.
* Reduce the costs of the public pensions system through changing contribution formulas, consolidating redundant systems and increasing cost sharing of some benefits.
* Improve Ohio’s health insurance value equation by using the state’s bulk purchasing power to help drive down healthcare costs.
* Significantly reduce prison system costs by directing more nonviolent offenders away from adult prisons toward non-residential community-based monitoring and treatment.
* Establish new structures on the state and county levels and provide both carrot and stick incentives and assistance to promote local government efficiencies, sharing of services and consolidation. “We believe that these recommendations, if enacted, will profoundly affect the way that government in Ohio is structured so that taxpayers will be buying better results at lower costs,” stated Jack Partridge, Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors and President of Columbia Gas of Ohio. The report will be presented to Governor-elect Kasich and the members of the Ohio General Assembly for their use and reference as they begin the budget writing process. Throughout this legislative process, the chamber will be advocating the implementation of these recommendations. Read the report. -30- About the Columbus Chamber
The Columbus Chamber, with 2,500 area businesses and organizations, leads and supports economic growth and development for the Greater Columbus community. For more information visit www.columbus.org. -
News
December 16, 2010
Economic Development Professionals Join Columbus2020! Team
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Dec. 16, 2010) – Columbus2020!, the Columbus region’s economic development initiative, has hired Deborah Scherer, director of global markets and Matt McQuade, director of business development. Scherer and McQuade join a growing team dedicated to attracting new enterprises and retaining existing employers to the eight-county Columbus region.
“Deborah and Matt are talented, experienced professionals that know the Columbus region and the state of Ohio very well and we are fortunate that they are joining the Columbus2020! team,” said Kenny McDonald, chief economic officer, Columbus2020! “They can hit the ground running and provide additional evidence that the Columbus2020! initiative is deeply committed to meeting the jobs and investment goals set by our leadership.” Scherer will draw on her international business experience in both the private and public sectors. Scherer last served as director of the Ohio Department of Development’s Global Markets Division and is a native of Ohio. Scherer attended Ohio University where she majored in International Business and Marketing, and minored in Spanish. “We intend to utilize Deborah’s skills to better understand our existing international business community and to develop a business proposition to companies around the world.” said McDonald. McQuade will direct business development strategies in North America, on behalf of Columbus2020! He previously served as the Ohio sales manager for the Ohio Business Development Coalition (OBDC) where he marketed the state to companies and location advisors throughout the world. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University (OSU) and a master’s in Public Administration from the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at OSU. “Columbus2020! is about surfacing opportunities and getting our region on the list of possible locations – often before they have fully conceived their projects,” said McDonald. “Matt has a proven record of doing just that in his previous roles.” Columbus2020! is a regional public-private partnership focused on economic development strategies to attract, retain and create new businesses in the region. Additional team appointments are anticipated for the first quarter of 2011.
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News
December 16, 2010
CCAD Achieves Rank as a Top Design Program in World
Out of the 50 top fashion design programs in the world, Columbus College of Art & Design ranks #20.
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News
December 16, 2010
A Holiday Message from Our Chairman
Happy Holidays from the Columbus Chamber! We appreciate your membership and support. We invite you to watch this short video message from the chairman of our board of directors, Jack Partridge.
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News
December 14, 2010
Chamber Employment Posting: President & CEO
The Columbus Chamber seeks a dynamic and collaborative President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to deliver tactical and operational leadership.
The 2,500-member-strong Columbus Chamber is a key partner in Central Ohio’s economic development initiative, Columbus2020!, and provides membership opportunities for networking, business intelligence, savings and professional development. To help existing businesses and attract new organizations to the region, the Columbus Chamber works to ensure relevant programming, services and initiatives are developed. In 2010, the Columbus Chamber’s innovative Columbus Region Attracts, Retains Talent initiative was recognized for its excellence by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The President and CEO will work closely with the Columbus Chamber Board of Directors as well as community leaders throughout Central Ohio. Four key areas of focus include: membership, advocacy, economic development and management. The President and CEO will work to enhance the Columbus Chamber’s value proposition and significantly grow membership. As the voice and face of the local business community, the President and CEO will advocate for business needs across all levels of government. Additionally, the President and CEO will collaborate and implement Columbus2020! economic development programming, and s/he will oversee Columbus Chambers’ day-to-day operations while guiding and developing staff. The President and CEO must possess a thorough understanding and passion for local business communities. The ideal candidate embraces fluid environments, values collaboration, demonstrates integrity and can quickly and meaningfully connect to a diverse constituency. Ten or more years of successful leadership in a relevant field, experience in membership growth and a working knowledge of political and legislative practices are required. Additional experience in board reporting is highly desired. A bachelor’s degree in an applicable field is required; a Master of Business Administration is preferred. EOE Nominations, referrals and expressions of interest with preferred contact information and curriculum vitae or resume should be directed to the following no later than January 12, 2011. Jenn Sullivan | Director
sullivan@scsearchconsultants.com SC search consultants, llc
1100 Beecher Crossing North, Suite A
Columbus, Ohio 43230
www.scsearchconsultants.com 614.939.4240
614.939.4250 fax
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News
December 14, 2010
Mars Petcare Headed to West Jefferson
The Ohio Department of Development, Madison County Future Inc. and village of West Jefferson are acknowledging at last that Mars Petcare US Inc. will consolidate two regional pet food distribution centers at a 1.3 million-square-foot distribution hub in West Jefferson.
The project is already under construction at Duke Realty Corp.’s Park 70 at West Jefferson industrial park near Interstate 70 and Route 29. The state Controlling Board, a legislative panel that approves government contracts, on Monday OK’d a $200,000 roadwork and development grant to offset the cost of installing a traffic signal and improving the intersection of Commerce Parkway and Route 29.
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News
December 14, 2010
Ingwerson to lead KeyBank in Central Ohio
Melissa Ingwersen, the Central Ohio president for JPMorgan Chase & Co., left her long-time employer Monday to take a similar position locally with KeyBank.
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News
December 10, 2010
Columbus Chamber Releases Blue Chip Economic Forecast
Bill LaFayette, Ph.D. delivered the 12th annual Columbus Chamber Blue Chip Economic Forecast on Dec. 10. Dr. LaFayette is vice president, economic analysis for the Chamber.
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News
December 10, 2010
Columbus Region Logistics Council Member Update
In This Issue- LogisticsART Recognized for Success
- Local Economic Development and Logistics Conference in February
- Planning to Hire? Logistics Job Fair Slated for March
- Should CRLC join the American Logistics Aid Network?
- Success at 2010 Networking Events
- Member Spotlight: ODW
- Welcome New Members
- Logistics in the News
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News
December 08, 2010
Dublin again lauded for tech-savviness
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News
December 07, 2010
Chamber Employment Posting: Columbus Region Logistics Council Membership Services Manager
Columbus Region Logistics Council was formed in by industry leaders to serve as the regional catalyst for the growth of the region’s logistics capability. Through the support of volunteer committees, the council is leading the implementation of a strategic roadmap that will continue to grow this tremendous asset.
The CRLC is seeking resumes for the position of Manager, Membership Services. The CRLC Manager of Membership Services overall purpose is to serve as a staff member of the Council in both management and administrative capacities. This position will function to deliver its mission and commitment to the CRLC by working on the following areas: 1) CRLC Infrastructure Mission- Develop a world class logistics infrastructure that creates a significant cost and service competitive advantage for logistics operations in the Columbus Region Inland Port. 2) Workforce and Education Mission- Build a high-skill workforce for competitive advantage. 3) Technology Mission- Increase the relevance and competitiveness of logistics through technology innovation. 4) Business Environment Mission- Foster a logistics-friendly environment. 5) Management of member engagement and retention, web project management, social media and administrative meetings and event management. An academic background with a degree(s): BS, BA, or MBA with a focus in business communication, journalism, administration, marketing or other related business/marketing emphasis. Experience in customer service position with a documented ability to achieve established objectives in customer relations, account management and business development. Must be an effective and collaborative team member. Please apply to jobs@columbus.org.
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News
December 07, 2010
Member Connection - December 2010
Topics in this issue of the Member Connection include:
» Chamber Survey Finds Small Businesses Plan
Growth, Expansion» State Grant to Support Chamber Initiative » Businesses Can Benefit from Wage Reimbursement
for New Employees » How Will Healthcare Reform Impact
Your Organization? » Business Insights: 12th Annual Blue Chip
Economic Forecast » Save Money on Wireless Service with New
Chamber Savings Program And more. -
News
December 06, 2010
Chamber Employment Posting: Director, Regional Sales
The Columbus Chamber seeks a business professional with a proven track record of selling professional services and growing membership-based customer portfolios. This Director manages a team of Business Development Representatives who are focused on promoting the value the Columbus Chamber brings its 2,000-plus members and is responsible for exceeding sales quotas through the planning, management and execution of the established business plan. This person will help to identify strategic market opportunities and key target prospects within each market and will lead the development and implementation of business plans with key members of the Chamber’s management team.
Key Responsibilities:Develop and execute strategic sales plans that exceed the Chamber’s membership and sponsorship revenue goals- Analyze and interpret business sector economic and organization information to formulate forecasts, estimates and projections that impact selling initiatives.
- Work with the team to identify and pursue new sponsorship, affinity, event and membership opportunities.
The successful candidate will have a minimum five years sales management experience as well as an undergraduate degree and a proven record of quota achievement leading a team selling non-hardware related products and services. The candidate must have strong analytical skills and a record of sound business acumen. Knowledge of and demonstrated competence with contact management software, as well as Microsoft programs, is a must. To apply:
Submit qualifications to jobs@columbus.org by Friday, December 17, 2010.
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News
November 23, 2010
CNNMoney.com lists Gahanna as a top city for business attraction
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News
November 19, 2010
Ohio homecoming spurs growth of Columbus logistics firm
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News
November 15, 2010
Chase to add 120 mortgage jobs in Westerville
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News
November 12, 2010
Review of the 2010 Election Results - On-demand Webinar
Now that it’s all said and done, what will the results of the 2010 election mean to you?
Vice President of Government Relations Steve Tugend briefly analyzes the outcomes of hotly contested federal and state races and local ballot issues. In addition, he touches upon how the newly elected officials will impact the upcoming apportionment of districts in the U.S. Congress and Ohio House of Representatives.
Watch this 30-minute, on-demand webinar now. -
News
November 11, 2010
Small Business Council Seeks Applications
Are you interested in becoming a member of the Small Business Council and representing the voice of small businesses to the Columbus Chamber?
Membership requires a passion for the small business community, a three-year commitment, attendance at three out of six meetings per year, committee participation, and support of Chamber initiatives and events. You must be the business owner, partner, chief executive or operating officer. Download the application form. -
News
November 09, 2010
Columbus Rates as a Most Relaxed City
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News
November 03, 2010
Ohio Gets High Marks for Business Climate
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News
November 02, 2010
Member Connection - November 2010
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News
October 25, 2010
Chamber Employment Posting: Vice President, Existing Business
Summary
The Columbus Chamber is a 2,500-member business organization that supports businesses in the eight-county Columbus Region.
The organization, in collaboration with Columbus2020!, a regional public-private partnership focused on economic development, has developed a new economic development strategy to retain and expand businesses in the region. This new, cutting-edge strategy will position the Columbus Region as a leader in economic development. The Vice President of Existing Business will lead implementation of this new existing business program. The position interfaces with CEOs and other corporate, government, and community leaders and provides oversight of hands-on project management and assistance for companies interested in expanding in the region. The VP will direct the work of client service representatives. This position reports to the Columbus Chamber President and CEO and works collaboratively with the Columbus2020! strategy team. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong analytical, communication, organizational and managerial skills. Representative Duties and Responsibilities- Direct research to identify companies with growth potential and those at risk of leaving or downsizing. Oversee development of a detailed, research-based database of information about existing employers
- Have chief responsibility for managing the region’s business portfolio
- Conduct and manage a team to complete comprehensive executive interviews with High Impact, Renaissance, and Enabler companies
- Engage regional economic development practitioners and allies; create a working group focused on existing business roles and opportunities to coordinate service delivery and creation of new services
- Engage and manage multi-agency team of professionals who can identify companies in transition and respond to issues that could inhibit long-term success
- Create a structured, managed referral network to solve problems for companies experiencing difficulties; remove obstacles to growth identified by employers. Manage interaction with the Columbus 2020! team of attraction professionals when expansion opportunities arise
- Work with Chamber’s marketing team to develop a strategy that increases inquiries and requests for support
- Partner with the Chamber’s advocacy team to facilitate meetings with elected officials and governmental partners
- Establish a procedure for developing problem-specific proposals for services to address client challenges
- Develop and manage Existing Business Budget
- Manage Existing Business team
- Experience interacting with CEOs and other corporate, government, and community leadership
- Self starting, energetic, and action-oriented manager with a history of increasing responsibility and challenge
- Self-directed individual with strong ability to manage ambiguity and adapt readily and easily to changes in priorities and business conditions in a highly-visible team environment
- Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills; able to build positive relationships in the community, and motivate volunteers and public sector partners
- Bachelor’s degree or higher with a preferred background in economic development, business, marketing, sales, or economics
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem solving skills
- Minimum of 5-plus years of managerial experience
- B.S. or MBA. Certified Economic Developer designation a plus
- Economic development experience, especially with traditional business retention, expansion activities a plus
- Work within a customer service environment a plus
- Microsoft Share Point, Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint and general computer proficiency
- Valid driver’s license: local travel required
Equal Opportunity Employer
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News
October 12, 2010
Chamber Employment Posting: Website Marketing Specialist
Summary
The Columbus Chamber is a 2,500-member business organization that supports businesses in the eight-county Columbus Region. The marketing division of the Chamber also provides support for Columbus2020!, a regional public-private partnership focused on business attraction and marketing.
The Website Marketing Specialist will be responsible for managing the online presence for the Chamber, Columbus2020! and Columbus Region marketing. Sites include: columbus.org; columbusregion.com; liveworkplaycolumbus.com; columbusinternships.com; Columbus2020.org and diversitybridge.com. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, detail oriented, have a results-driven personality and experience in web project management, content development, and daily site maintenance-- preferably with multiple sites. Representative Duties and Responsibilities- Use Content Management System (CMS) to maintain and update the portfolio of Columbus Chamber and Columbus2020! websites on a daily basis, ensuring grammatical and factual accuracy
- Oversee the redesign of the Columbus.org and columbusregion.com sites
- Identify opportunities and make recommendations for improving the websites and overall online presence. Make recommendations for websites based on page layout, content, structure or navigational placement, based on traffic trends and other measurements including any external factors in the marketplace and competitor activity
- Manage relationships with agencies responsible for web development and SEO/PPC, including status calls, implementation of deliverables and day to day communication
- Work with marketing colleagues and partners to implement multimedia elements
- Work with marketing colleagues and partners to maintain consistency in the visual design and evolution of the entire Chamber and Columbus2020! presence
- Track, review, monitor and analyze website activity and statistics of websites; generate monthly reports based on meaningful metrics, key indicators, and strategic observations that support and direct the company’s online presence
- Work with colleagues and partners to create strategies and execute targeted online marketing campaigns using SEO, PPC, Content, Email and social media tools
- Work with marketing colleagues to ensure that all onsite member and Chamber advertising is maintained and current
- Minimum of 5 years hands-on experience in website management.
- Experience in business to business marketing.
- Demonstrated fluency in HTML and experience using CMS required; experience with other interactive languages, as well as multimedia development tools, applications and production process beneficial
- Experience managing agency and partner relationships
- Experience managing large and multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
- Experience leading a major website redesign project beneficial
- Experience managing and implementing email marketing campaigns
- Familiarity with website standards, usability testing, online marketing, SEO, SEM, Google, search rankings, paid search, website reporting tools, and web analytics
- Knowledge about the use of color, flash, graphics, and other multi-media for improving visitor experience highly desirable
- Ability to think both strategically and tactically and integrate themes and messaging throughout all websites as appropriate
- Experience cultivating metrics and identifying meaningful trends
- Experience creating and executing a social media strategy
- Ability to interface with internal customers using a solutions-oriented approach
- Must be able to work under pressure under defined, often tight deadlines, with minimal supervision or within a team environment
- A Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing or communications or equivalent professional qualification required
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News
October 11, 2010
Columbus2020! Employment Posting: Director, International Markets
Director, International Markets
Columbus2020!, a regional growth strategy being launched in the Columbus, Oh region is seeking resumes for the position of Director, International Markets for this unprecedented regional economic development effort to attract, retain, and create new business growth in the 8-county metropolitan area. The Director of International Markets will lead all in-region and worldwide marketing and business development efforts for the Columbus2020! strategy and report directly to the Chief Economic Officer. The candidate’s background should include international business experience, experience in leading international delegations and business missions, and strong acumen in economic development. Experience in managing contracts with service providers located outside the U.S., an academic background in economics, business and international business are also desirable. Proficiency at least one foreign language is required. Travel within North America and to international markets will be required. Compensation will be a combination of salary and a bonus based on the overall success of the group.
Apply: Submit qualifications to jobs@columbus.org.Equal Opportunity Employer -
News
October 11, 2010
Columbus2020! Employment Posting: Director, Business Development
Director, Business Development
Columbus2020!, a regional growth strategy being launched in the Columbus, Oh region is seeking resumes for the position of Director, Business Development for this unprecedented regional economic development effort to attract, retain, and create new business growth in the 8-county metropolitan area. The Director of Business Development will be responsible for pursuing and developing qualified prospects (companies with plans to expand or relocate), for the Columbus region. The person will be required to work closely with the 2020! research and existing industry staff to coordinate the outreach to companies and networks outside the Columbus region. The candidate’s background should include strong economic development, real estate, or relevant business experience working with companies in the facility location process. An academic background in economics and/or business is desired. Travel within North America and possibly to international markets will be required. Compensation will be a combination of salary and bonus based on the overall success of the group plus individual metrics tied to the generation of qualified prospects.
Apply: Submit qualifications to jobs@columbus.org.Equal Opportunity Employer
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News
August 06, 2010
Stimulus provides $4.6M for logistics jobs