On Friday, February 22nd, the Bureau of Workers' Compensation Board of Directors unanimously approved the 20 percent reduction in private employer rates. The lower rates will go into effect on July 1, 2019 and they will apply to all private employers who are not self-insured. The 20 percent rate cut is the average reduction for all Ohio employers, so some employers may experience an even greater decrease in premiums for fiscal year 2020.
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Ohio's employers are asking what they should do about the opioid problem in their own workplaces. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce convened a task force to explore the options. One recommendation coming out of the task force was for employers to be armed with a toolkit of resources to be better prepared to prevent and respond to the problem. With the help and expertise of a member company, Working Partners®, and financial support from member company, Anthem, we have developed the
Opioid Toolkit
containing several resources free of charge to any company that is doing business in Ohio.
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Fostoria Economic Development
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FEDC Welcomes Planning and Development Manager
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Fostoria Economic Development Corporation has welcomed Courtney Miller as the Planning and Development Manager for the organization. Ms. Miller is a Fostoria native with a background in communications. She started with the organization on February 4 and has hit the ground running with projects and various tasks she will be taking over. Initially Courtney will be handling the organization's existing sites and buildings as well as taking over marketing and the FEDC web site. Courtney has already been a great addition to the team. Please feel free to stop in or send her an email to introduce yourself.
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Courtney Miller
FEDC Planning and Development Manager
419-435-7789
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JOBS Fostoria is a rapidly growing resource for both job seekers and businesses in Fostoria who are hiring. Videos featuring local companies hiring have been produced to help advertise this great, local resource.
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ProMedica
Fostoria Community Hospital
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Callies Performance Products
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February 7 – Excel Level 1
February 14 – First Aid & CPR/AED
February 21 – Excel Level 2
February 19 – Social Media Marketing for Small Business
CLICK HERE
to download our January-March
Small Business Trainings
Schedule
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Fostoria Area Safety Council
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Safety Training Opportunities
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Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce
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Grow Your Business Resources
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OhioMeansJobs
(OMJ) is a collaborative workforce system that offers multiple no-cost programs and services to businesses and adult job seekers, dislocated workers, low-income youth and adults, veterans, individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and many others.
OMJ programs and its services include access to a full-service American Job Center, resource room, education, occupational training, job match and job search assistance and employment-related youth programs. It focuses on a demand-driven, employer-sensitive system for employers.
Staff with recruitment and sales backgrounds proactively contact local businesses, large and small, to identify job placement and training opportunities.
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(
Upper Sandusky-
How to step up, push forward and be more assertive with your business growth
)
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The Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce is once again seeking students in grades 6 through 12 interested in starting or expanding a summer business. The Chamber’s Student Start Up is designed to provide students with the real world experience of starting an actual business and expose them to an alternative to being an employee.
“We want to build a community that welcomes entrepreneurs and provides the tools and resources needed to be successful. Through our Student Start Up program we can encourage young entrepreneurs and potentially plant the seeds for start-ups in our community now and in the future.” Sarah Stephens Krupp, Chamber/Small Business Director
Through a grant from the Henry H. Geary Jr. Memorial Foundation, the Chamber will award Student Start Ups in two categories; new Student Start Ups and a Student Start Up Expansion. New Student Start Up applicants must have not received a past Student Start Up Award and meet the application requirements. Student Start Up Expansion applicants must have been past recipients of a Student Start Up award and have plans to expand their existing business. Ten new Student Start Ups and 4 expansions will be funded in 2019. Successful applicants for new Student Start Ups will receive $200 for start-up and will be eligible for a $100 bonus. Successful Student Start up Expansion applicants will receive $150 to expand their business and will be eligible for a $100 bonus.
All applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on April 26 and successful applicants will be notified by May 15. Applications are available online at
www.FostoriaOhio.org/SSUP
, or can be picked up at the Chamber office, 121 N. Main St. in Fostoria.
The Fostoria Chamber’s Student Start Up program is available to all Fostoria area students, including students attending or living in the districts of Fostoria City Schools, St. Wendelin, Arcadia, Hopewell Loudon, Elmwood, Van Buren, New Riegel and Lakota.
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A few 2018 Student Start Up Business Owners with Local and State Officials.
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Updated Chamber
Member Guides
We have streamlined our marketing materials and updated our benefit listings.
Please take a look and see what benefits you could be using and saving $$$.
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2019 Sponsorship Packages still available.
Sponsorship Packages are a one time ask from us and you can make the most of your marketing $$$. Signing on for a sponsorship package gives your business recognition at all Chamber signature events, on our website and in the Fostoria Area Business Newsletter.
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Member Benefits that can save you $$$
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Did you know many of the Chamber member cost saving benefits not only save you money, but also help the Fostoria Chamber? When you utilize the benefits we often receive residuals and marketing monies. It's a win-win!
Click on the benefit to learn more.
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The Chamber and the Fostoria Learning Center have partnered to offer members
25% off room rentals
at the FLC as well as use of the conference room for free (subject to availability).
Be sure to click the link to see the new room rental rates.
*25% discount applies to FEDC members as well.
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In celebration of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce's 125th Anniversary, they are partnering with their statewide chamber network to offer a 1-year affiliate membership to companies with 99 or fewer employees, when combined with your Fostoria Chamber membership. As an affiliate member you will gain access to exclusive programming, including HR Academy, access to pro-business advocacy and discounts on the products that help make your business thrive.
This affiliate membership is $125 and provides you with many great benefits
(
click here
to view benefits) and we will receive $25 for every Fostoria Chamber member who takes advantage of this Ohio Chamber affiliate membership deal.
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The Sandusky County Chamber is hosting a joint Business After Hours in celebration of Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technology Center and Terra State Community College's 50th Anniversary.
Save the Date
April 11, 2019
5-7 p.m.
Neeley Center at Terra State community College
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The Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to highlight
The Fostoria Kiwanis Club.
The Fostoria Kiwanis Club is a service organization that has worked to change the world one child and one community at a time in Fostoria since 1928.
The Fostoria Kiwanis Club actively supports our community through school shoe programs, childhood literacy and book drives, scholarships, National Day of Prayer, Highway Clean Up and hosting a New Educator’s luncheon.
We invite you to learn more about the Fostoria Kiwanis Club by attending a meeting, making a donation or coming to their annual fundraiser, Pancake Day. This year Pancake Day is Thursday, March 7 at the St. Wendelin Parish Life Center from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The club will once again be serving delicious pancakes, made with Mennel Flour, and sausages. The club meets Tuesdays at noon in the lower level of Good Shepherd home where guests are welcome!
For more information about the Fostoria Kiwanis Club, find them on
Facebook
or stop out at Pancake Day on March 7.
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Angelina Bentz
Manager of Environmental Services
ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital
Angelina has served on the Chamber Board since 2016 and has just begun her second term of service and represents the Chamber on the Fostoria Area Visitors Bureau Board. Angelina chose to serve on the Chamber Board as a way to be involved in the community. When asked what she has learned during her time on the Chamber board she says, "I am amazed at the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep a town growing and thriving." She enjoys being active in the Chamber with networking and learning as well as being a part of Fostoria's growth.
Angelina has been with ProMedica for four years and prior to her work in the healthcare field she spent 13 years working in the hospitality industry. She has one adult daughter and is an Indianapolis Colts fan. In her spare time she enjoys reading, gardening, camping and hiking.
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Ribbon Cutting & Business After Hours Host,
February 21, 2019
Fit N Dance is located at 210 S. Main Street.
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Superior Credit Union in partnership with OSU Extension Seeking Volunteers
Superior Credit Union in partnership with OSU Extension, is seeking volunteers for a hands-on budget management activity for Fostoria High School Juniors and Seniors on Thursday, March 21. Volunteers do not need formal training and will be given instructions the day of. The time commitment is from 11:40 am. to 2:15 p.m. on March 21 at Fostoria High School. Volunteers will be placed in groups of two or three at booths to assist students.
The hands-on budget management and decision-making activity involves Extension professionals, school staff, and local adult volunteers.
During the spending simulation, students assume the role of a 25-27 year-old adult. They receive an occupation, monthly salary, and the number of children they are raising. Community volunteers staff booths. The booths represent actual monthly bills.
By visiting the appropriate booths, students spend their salaries on items typically found in a monthly budget including: chance credit, housing, child care, entertainment, insurance, clothing, financial advice,transportation, communications, food, utilities and contributions.
Throughout the activity, students keep track of their finances and attempt to complete the simulation with a positive balance.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact Kim Biddle at Superior Credit Union,
kbiddle@superiorcu.com
or 419-436-4814
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More Member News
click the headline to read the full article
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Fostoria Area Visitor's Bureau
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Fostoria Selected to Be A Host Community for a 2019/2020 Midwest Sculpture Initiative Exhibit
The Fostoria Area Visitors Bureau will again be coordinating a year-long outdoor sculpture exhibit in downtown Fostoria. The selection committee will be reviewing available sculptures in March for a new display that will be in place from April/May 2019 through April/May 2020. T
he Fostoria Area Visitors Bureau has received outstanding community support for the new display and continues to seek financial sponsorship pledges to fund exhibit expenses. Donations of any amount are appreciated. Gifts given at the following levels will receive special recognition in all exhibit marketing materials: Platinum – $2,000+, Gold $1,000+, Silver $500+ and Bronze $250+. Payment is requested by April 15, 2019. A sponsorship pledge form is available from the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau website at:
http://www.fostoriaohio.org/sculpturepledge/
Completed forms should be mailed to 121 N. Main Street, Fostoria or emailed to Michele Cochran, Community Development/Tourism Director at
development@fostoriachamber.com
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For a complete list of upcoming trips and information
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Want to be the highlighted
MEMBER OF THE MONTH?
We want to promote your business!
As a Chamber member you are able to be highlighted as the member of the month once each calendar year.
It's simple and you receive $$$ in advertising at
no additional cost to you.
Member of the Month receives:
Feature article in the Fostoria Area Business Newsletter
Featured on the Chamber's Social Media Platforms
Radio Spots which run on Mix 96.7
and WFOB/ESPN Radio
2 ads in The Review Times
Interested? Fill out this
simple form
, send it back to us and we will handle the rest!
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Dionna Brenamen Insurance & Financial Services, State Farm
Fruth & Co. PLL
Burns Petroleum
BeerCo
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Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau | 419-435-0486 | www.FostoriaOhio.org
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