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May 2008
MESSAGE FROM YOUR CHAMBER PRESIDENT President Bush has announced that taxpayer rebate checks will start going out Monday, April 28th, earlier than the previously projected May 2nd date. It is anticipated that the rebate checks will ease the pain of the rising costs of gasoline and food, and will increase overall consumer spending, thus giving a jolt to the current economic slowdown. The IRS says all rebate checks will be direct deposited or mailed by July 7th. MCCARTY ASSOCIATES HOSTS BUSINESS AFTER HOURS McCarty Associates, located at 304 E. Market Street, hosted the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event on Wednesday, April 16th. Members of the business community were very impressed with McCarty Associates offices, which underwent a complete restoration to change what was once a 1950's service station to the current modern office building. Door
prize winners of the evening included Debbie Weade, Joyce Lutz, and Betty Cockerill.
The Chamber's 50/50 drawing was won by Ron Weade. Three Mom's Catering prepared
The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce thanks McCarty Associates for hosting Business After Hours. Next month's Business After Hours will be sponsored by Serene Spaces Massage & Day Spa, located at 96 Washington Square, on May 14th.
CHAMBER
WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS The following applicants were approved for membership by the Chamber Board of Directors at their April meeting: SERENE
SPACES MASSAGE & DAY SPA
HFC SAFETY COUNCIL MEETING NOTICE May 7 - HFC Safety Council regular meeting, 11:30 a.m., Mahan Building, Fayette County Fairgrounds, Washington Court House. May 21 - HFC Safety Council CEO event, 11:30 a.m., Snow Hill County Club, 11093 S.R. 73, Wilmington. Note: Your business CEO (or highest ranking local executive) must attend at least one HFC Safety Council meeting to meet BWC requirements. This event is designed especially for that audience and has traditionally been one of the most highly attended meetings. Contact the Highland County Chamber at (937) 393-1111 to make reservations or for further information. MAY DATES TO REMEMBER Sunday, May 10th - Mother's Day. Sunday, May 17th - Armed Forces Day. Monday, May 26th - Memorial Day Observed. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERIES Are you in business or interested in starting a business? Are you interested in business counseling, training, or financing? Then this FREE program is for you. The Columbus District Office of the Small Business Administration (SBA), in conjunction with the Columbus Urban League, the Ohio Department of Development, and the Small Business Development Centers is offering seminars on Small Business Development Resources. SBA and Department of Development staff, along with industry experts, will explain the many programs and services that will best fit your needs. Mark your calendar and plan to attend these exciting and very informative small business seminars. ALL SEMINARS ARE FREE, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. To register, please contact Robin at (614) 469-6860 extension 282, or register online at www.sba.gov/oh/columbus. Seminars are held at the Columbus Urban League, 788 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203. Upcoming seminars are: ACCESS
TO CAPITAL & BUILDING BETTER BANKING RELATIONSHIPS STARTING
RIGHT AND BEYOND SMALL
BUSINESS CERTIFICATION SMALL
BUSINESS PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES
TECHSTART EVENT SET FOR FAYETTE COUNTY Fayette County will hold a TechStart event on Tuesday, May 20, from 5:30p.m.-7:30 a.m., at the Center for Economic Opportunity, 101 E. State St., in Washington Court House, Ohio. The free event is for local entrepreneurs, city and county officials, economic development professionals, and financial advisors interested in learning more about the TechStart program. TechStart is Central Ohio's Entrepreneurial Signature Program sponsored by Ohio's Third Frontier Program and local partners. It provides funding and mentoring assistance to entrepreneurs with promising tech businesses throughout 15 counties of Central Ohio. "I encourage any stakeholder involved in getting a start-up off the ground to attend this event, as it's a one-stop opportunity to get your questions answered and hear all the exciting opportunities with TechStart," said Will Indest, Director of TechStart. "Individuals will take home valuable knowledge from a number of resources about the types of programs and capital available for tech-related start-ups and entrepreneurs." Representatives
from TechColumbus will speak about programs and capital available to tech-related
start-ups and entrepreneurs. "The TechStart Program is a great resource for
local entrepreneurs with technology-based business development opportunities,"
said Roger Blackburn, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce President. "This
program will help Fayette County continue to grow and highlight it as a desirable
destination for business." TechColumbus worked with public and private partners throughout the 15-county Central Ohio region to win a $15 million award from the State of Ohio. Adding the $7.5 million from local partners, this 3-year $22.5 million project is the largest of its kind ever in Central Ohio. Entrepreneurs interested in applying for funding through TechStart must first prepare and submit an executive summary of the opportunity, typically no longer than two to three pages, as well as an online application. A member of the TechColumbus team will contact applicants within three business days to discuss next steps. TechColumbus is a nonprofit organization that focuses on technology-based economic development in the 15 counties of central Ohio. For more information about TechColumbus visit www.techcolumbus.org. Reservations
for the Fayette County TechStart event can be made by visiting www.techcolumbus.org
for event sponsorship information please contact Stefphanie Harper, with TechColumbus,
at sharper@techcolumbus.org.
SERENE
SPACES MASSAGE & DAY SPA |
