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ChamberLink

ChamberLink is a monthly publication of the Columbus Chamber. Featuring top news from the Columbus region and the Chamber, ChamberLink is also published quarterly in Columbus Business First. Read our current issue below, or download previous issues from the ChamberLink archives provided to the right.

February 2010

Grassroots Effort Celebrates Transformation of
Arena District

“Forward Together Columbus” Supports Blue Jackets, Seeks Signatures for Petition

A group of concerned citizens has joined forces to generate community support for the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team. The group, called Forward Together Columbus, celebrates the transformation of what was the site of a vacant prison into the Arena District – a vibrant center for business, entertainment and residential life.

The Columbus Blue Jackets and Nationwide Arena have driven an economic impact in excess of $2 billion since 2000, according to a report issued by the Columbus Chamber in November 2009. Today, this economic engine is at risk. The Columbus Blue Jackets team has suffered operating losses of $12 million since its founding by the late John H. McConnell through private investment. At that time, Nationwide financed $150 million for the development of the arena.

Forward Together is a reminder that, without a solution to the current problems facing Nationwide Arena and the Columbus Blue Jackets, a shadow is being cast on the future of the Arena District and its continued success. The group has posted a petition, which more than 5,000 individuals have already signed to express their support for a solution.

The Columbus Chamber supports Forward Together Columbus, and Steve Tugend, the Chamber’s vice president of government relations, serves on the Forward Together steering committee.

Chamber Seeks Business Feedback on Ohio Third Frontier

A $700 million bond renewal for The Ohio Third Frontier will be listed as State Issue 1 on the ballot for the May 4 primary election, and the Columbus Chamber is seeking information on the program’s impact on local businesses that have received its funding.

The Ohio Third Frontier is a four-year, bipartisan initiative that invests in cutting-edge research with commercial relevance in growing industries, the growth of technology-based enterprises, entrepreneurship, and attracting world-class talent for Ohio’s workforce. Ohio Third Frontier focuses on developing five key technology clusters, including advanced energy, advanced materials, biomedical, power and propulsion, and instruments, controls and electronics.

Since its creation in 2002 within the Ohio Department of Development, Ohio’s Third Frontier has fostered new technologies and industries that have driven economic growth and job creation within the state. Its passage this May would ensure that the Third Frontier is renewed with no gap in funding, permitting longer-term investment commitments to be made in fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012 and maintaining and accelerating the program’s momentum which would otherwise slow in the face of uncertainty regarding continued funding.

Companies that have received Third Frontier funding are invited to share their business experiences and outcomes. Contact Steve Tugend at 614.225.6943 or steve_tugend@columbus.org.

Kilroy Brings House Leadership to Meet With Columbus Area Small Business Leaders

Mary Jo Kilroy and community representatives

U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, held a roundtable meeting with U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (MD-8), Columbus Chamber president and CEO Ty D. Marsh, and other central Ohio small business leaders to discuss how to best help small businesses achieve more. The roundtable was held at the Chamber office in January.

“It’s important to ensure our small businesses have the tools they need to be successful and make central Ohio’s economy the best it can be,” said Kilroy.

Pictured in this photo are Marsh, Kilroy, Van Hollen, Parker McDonald, president, Columbus Chamber Small Business Council, and Steve Tugend, the Columbus Chamber vice president of government relations.

Interns: A Win-Win Proposition for Your Business

If you’ve never hired interns as part of your team, you may wonder, “What’s in it for me?”

The answer is – a lot! Interns represent a great opportunity to introduce short-term, flexible resources into your organization to meet demands such as completing key projects and implementing essential business improvements. And as an employer you provide a young person with the chance to obtain valuable work experience, which is something they’ll need if they are to succeed in today’s demanding and extremely competitive labor market.

To help make sure you’re ready to launch an internship program in time for summer, the Columbus Chamber is hosting a special seminar this month. “Getting Started with Interns” will take place on Feb. 16 from 8:30 - 10 a.m. at the Chamber office. The seminar is free to Chamber members.

We’ll introduce the basic fundamentals and key considerations in establishing internships. In addition, during the session you can work one-on-one with our intern expert to take the critical first-step in learning to leverage interns in your business – crafting an outline of the internship position description/posting.

Ready to get started? Visit our events page to register today.

2010 Census: Help Improve Our Community and Businesses in Just 10 Minutes

The Columbus Chamber is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to help achieve a complete and accurate count of our nation’s population during the 2010 Census. We are proud to be assisting in this important initiative and encourage everyone in Central Ohio to complete and return their census forms. We need your help.

Conducted every 10 years, the Census provides a vital snapshot of our nation’s growing and changing population and demographics.

“It is critical for our region’s success that everyone completes the Census. Each individual not counted costs us more than $2,000 in federal funding that is rightfully ours – funding that offsets the need to raise revenue through local sources. Businesses lose out because the Census offers the best available demographic information down to the neighborhood level,” said Bill LaFayette, Ph.D., vice president of economic analysis, Columbus Chamber. “A good count helps businesses better understand the needs of their customers.”

Annually, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to state, local, and tribal governments based on census data. The resulting improvements can make a significant difference in the quality of life for our neighbors, families and community.

Spread the Word

You can help make sure everyone is counted by increasing awareness of the 2010 Census among your workforce and customers. Go to Columbus.org to read more and find out how you can download a free promotional toolkit.

Census forms will be delivered to households in March. Census workers visit households that do not return forms by Census Day, April 1, 2010.

Time is Running Out – Join us for the 2010 Annual Meeting

The Columbus community has come together in an unprecedented move to align economic development activities with an eye toward 2020. Learn about this vision and the Columbus Chamber's renewed focus on business retention and expansion at the Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 24.

Reserve your seat or table now. We're also taking reservations for three exciting post-meeting sessions on Business Attraction, Expansion & Retention, and Creation.

The Columbus Chamber Annual Meeting is sponsored by Agil IT, Anthem, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, CareWorks, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Columbus C.E.O. Magazine, CompManagement, Schneider Downs, Sophisticated Systems, State Auto Insurance Companies, and Steptoe & Johnson. Media promotion is provided by Bartha Audio Visual, 99.7 the Rock, Classic Hits 103.9, and WMNI AM.

Visit our event page for registration information and all the details.