ChamberLink

Columbus Region Economic Development Professionals Corporate Call in Chicago

A group of Columbus Chamber economic development staff will travel to Chicago this week to meet with site selectors. The trip was organized to raise decision makers’ awareness of Columbus as a business destination.

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Columbus Region Logistics Council Develops Program of Work to Strengthen Industry

The members of the Columbus Region Logistics Council subcommittees have been working hard to improve the areas of infrastructure, workforce, connectivity, business-friendly environment and marketing.

The following are the results of those efforts:

• The infrastructure committee is working with local government leaders on solutions for the congestion that surrounds the Rickenbacker and Alum Creek Drive area. The solution seeks to improve truck-flow in and out of the intermodal area and will allow the area to continue to attract logistics and distribution companies.
• In an effort to showcase the logistics assets to corporate leaders and site selectors outside the region and provide a place for resources to the Columbus Region Logistics Council, the Chamber launched a logistics section on the region Web site – www.columbusregion.com/logistics. The logistics section includes maps, data and information about Columbus Region logistics.
• Through the Chamber’s internship program, the Columbus Region Logistics Council is investigating an industry-wide internship program that would provide interns with professional development programming, real world experience and networking opportunities. The participating companies would be benefit from a cohesive talent management strategy that would strengthen the perception of logistics job and the opportunities available in the Columbus logistics industry.
• The Columbus Region Logistics Council and Columbus Chamber have worked to organization regular networking events to connect industry leaders. Join more than 120 business leaders in the logistics industry for a networking event at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Café on December 16, 2008 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Register Here.
• The Columbus Region Logistics Council will also be pursuing funds from the Governor’s stimulus package to continue to develop the logistics industry. More information on the stimulus package can be found in the article below.

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Marsh Receives Citizen of the Year Award from Building Industry Association

Ty Marsh, president and CEO, Columbus Chamber was named The Citizen of the Year by the Building Industry Association at the 66th Annual Inaugural Celebration held on December 5, 2008.

The Citizen of the Year Award is given to a citizen, not a member of the Association, who has performed service either within or outside the duties of his or her regular work. This service has resulted in major benefits to the community and/or the Building Industry, directly or indirectly.

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Contacts to Contracts – Keeping business opportunities in the region

Contacts2Contracs is a Chamber program developed to connect small businesses with procurement leads with large corporations within the region. Contacts2Contracts was developed in partnership by the Chamber’s Small Business Council.

“The Chamber’s Contacts to Contracts program is truly a unique program that brings immediate value to The Columbus Chamber’s members,” said Tom Hastings, founder, ComputerSite Columbus and chair of the Chamber’s Small Business Council.

“Contacts2Contracts’s goal is to encourage our large business Chamber members to reconsider that portion of their budget that is spent outside of the Central Ohio region and to allow our qualified small business Chamber members the opportunity to bid on these products and services.  Ultimately, this may provide a financial savings to our large business members and bring new business opportunities to our small business members.  Doing so will increase the wealth in our region and increase job opportunities.”

Contacts2Contracts extends these opportunities through matchmaker events hosted by a local corporation; so far there have been matchmaker events held at OhioHealth and Huntington Bank. Both events have extended opportunities for small business leaders to meet and learn about the procurement process at each of these corporations that might not otherwise have been available.

“The Contacts2Contracts events at The Huntington Bank and Ohio Health were very professionally organized and well attended.  It was apparent that both companies clearly understand the value of local sourcing and are committed to it. The networking with decision makers was an unexpected bonus.  I fully intend to attend every Contacts2Contracts event,” said Tom Bell, Beacon Solutions.

Small business owners have also reported increased networking opportunities among other small businesses through these opportunities. “The contacts to contracts program has been great, not only have we interfaced with the Huntington and Ohio Health purchasing staff, but I have made six other business connections, from these meetings,” said Curtis Davis, president and CEO, E-One Companies.

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Columbus in the News

Columbus has been nationally recognized for our continued development of our quality of life and strength of business. Read the full stories here.

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Creating Alignment Around How We Talk About Columbus

In the first half of 2008, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman introduced a far-reaching and bipartisan effort — called Columbus 2012 — to identify critical projects and initiatives that would help fulfill the city’s mission of being a great place to live, work, and raise a family. One of the areas of focus was the city’s image and marketing profile. The image and marketing focus group gathered citizen input, researched past efforts to define the Columbus story and identity, and worked together in collaborative meetings to develop a positioning strategy for the city and region. If adopted by the range of organizations that promote Columbus, this positioning strategy could create a great deal of alignment around how we tell the city’s story, internally and externally.

The City adopted the image and marketing focus group’s strategy, agreeing that crafting and telling a consistent story about Columbus would have positive effects on economic development and overall quality of life. However, the City’s voice isn’t loud enough on its own to change how we’re known. Many other organizations—including your own—tell the Columbus story as part of their own marketing. As a next step, the group recommended conducting a comprehensive audit of the numerous ways public and private groups communicate the Columbus story today and to develop a plan for greater alignment. In October, Compete Columbus took a lead role in moving this project forward and contracted Ologie, a Columbus-based advertising firm, to conduct the audit and co-create the plan.

Ologie audited the public-facing materials (websites, ads, etc.) for each of the major organizations in Columbus. What the group still needs is more targeted, limited-release content—like, an onboarding packet that includes information about Columbus or recruitment materials that address relocation. On a parallel path, they’re asking a few of Columbus’s biggest voices—Experience Columbus, the Chamber of Commerce, Ohio State and Nationwide—to join us in a blueprint project. The goal is to create a series of examples on how message alignment might work. These case studies would become part of a Columbus story “toolkit” that would be available to all organizations telling the Columbus story.

To participate in this project, send your marketing materials to Ologie, 447 East Main St, Columbus, Ohio 43215.

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Ohio’s $100 Million Investment in Logistics Infrastructure Launched at Hyperlogistics Group

Hyperlogistics Group’s state-of-the-art warehouse facility was the setting on November 21, 2008 when Ohio’s leaders launched the $100 million Jobs Stimulus Package for development of infrastructure to expand and support logistics and distribution business in Ohio. Governor Ted Strickland addressed the crowd and provided an overview of the Jobs Stimulus Package and its impact on Ohio’s economic outlook. Lt. Governor and Ohio Director of Development Lee Fisher presented more detailed information about how the package will spur job creation. Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jim Beasley closed the presentation by summarizing current ODOT initiatives to concentrate on inter-modal transport.



”Ohio’s economic development strategy is built on the back of our logistics and infrastructure systems and Hyperlogistics Group was a perfect stage to showcase this $100 million investment from our Ohio Jobs Stimulus Plan,” said Lt. Governor Fisher. “Enhancing the movement of freight allows Ohio companies to launch Ohio products into new markets and better support our existing manufacturing and retail sectors.”


Located in Columbus Regional Airport Authority’s new Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park, Hyperlogistics Group provided an appropriate backdrop for the presentation. One of the country’s most advanced logistics hubs, Columbus Regional Airport Authority holds 1300 acres surrounding Rickenbacker airport with plans to develop 22 million square feet of warehousing and distribution space. As a Foreign Trade Zone approved warehousing and distribution center in Ohio, Hyperlogistics Group sits adjacent to Norfolk Southern’s Intermodal Terminal. This is the first facility ready to receive loaded-to-capacity containers on a roadway built specifically by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority to allow transport of overweigh loads.

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Who’s Who Publishing Releases Sixth Edition of Who’s Who in Black Columbus

Who’s Who Publishing recently released their sixth edition of Who’s Who in Black Columbus that is a tool for resources and networking. Who’s Who Publishing is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and is the largest annual directory targeting the African-American market. The sixth edition of the guide features: pictures and biographical data on more than 500 distinguished African-American leaders in our community; a foreword written by Donna James; and an introduction penned by Alex Shumate, Esq. Who’s Who in Black Columbus is now available by visiting the Who’s Who Web site at www.whoswhopublishing.com.  

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Get Connected at Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 8 a.m.
Gary Harpst – Columbus Economic Acceleration Event

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 4 p.m.
Logistics Industry Networking Event

Tuesday, Dec. 16, 8 a.m.
Business Insights: Employee Free Choice Act Forum

Thursday, Dec. 18, 7:30 a.m.
Columbus Chamber Presents – BlueChip Economic Forecast

Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009; 5:30 p.m.
Business AfterHours

Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, 7:30 a.m.
New Member Reception

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009; 7:30 a.m.
Columbus Chamber Annual Meeting

Register online for events at: http://www.columbus.org/member-center/events/.

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Welcome New Members!

Premier Members:
A & A Career Consultants, LLC
AirTran Airways
BNI - Ohio
Charles Penzone, Inc.
Clearcase Technology, Inc.
Community Shares of Mid Ohio
George K. Baum & Company
Ohio College Access Network

Arena Grand Movie Theatre
Bel Air Court Apartments
Bostech Corporation
Central Ohio Hospital Council
Grand Salon at Polaris
Grand Salon in Dublin
Grand Salon in Gahanna
Hostetler Title & Closing Service, Inc.
Jason's of Worthington, Inc.
KidsOhio.org
Lion Real Estate Service, LLC
MacMurray, Cook, Petersen & Shuster LLP
Manley Deas & Kochalski, LLC
Manpower Professional
MAX, The Salon - German Village
MAX, The Salon - Short North
ProForma Graphic Services
Q Salon
Structural Solutions, LLC
Zimam Holdings, LLC

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