Oak Harbor Chamber Newsletter

September 2024

Only 3 weeks until the Oak Harbor Apple Festival! We’ve attached the full schedule below. Please feel free to print it out and hang it in your lobby, office, breakroom, or share it with friends and family. We can’t wait to see you there!

Registration for all Apple Festival contests and events is still open. Visit www.OakHarborAppleFestival.com to sign up.

Help make our town festive for fall by joining the Downtown Oak Harbor Scarecrow Contest! All businesses, organizations, and groups are invited to participate in this fun community event.

Contest Dates:

• August 19 - September 27: Registration period
• September 29: All displays must be in place
• September 30 - October 14: Public voting period
• October 15: Winners announced
• November 1: All displays must be removed

Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 scarecrows! Click below for full rules and registration information. Let’s make Oak Harbor shine this fall!

Mark your calendars for our next Lunch N Learn!

We are excited to have Attorney Tom Dixon from Eastman & Smith presenting on the ever-important topic of Employment Laws. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about legal issues that impact your business, and there will be time for a Q&A session—so bring your questions! Don’t miss out on what is essentially free legal advice.

We look forward to seeing you there!

You can now purchase your official apparel for the 45th Annual Apple Festival.

Celebrate in style and show your festival spirit with our exclusive merchandise.

Click the link to shop now: https://applefest24.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Don't miss out on these limited-edition items. Grab yours today and be a part of the tradition!

The Ottawa County Business Advisory Council (BAC) is proud to host the 10 th annual Ottawa County Career Showcase! This year’s event is extra special as it marks a decade of the BAC bringing together our employers and students to provide those students with a first-hand, personal glimpse of the amazing career opportunities they can find in their own backyard! For more information click the link below and for any questions, please contact Katherine Adams: kadams@ocic.biz

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 and effective from January 1, 2024, introduces essential changes for U.S. small business owners. This law aims to prevent money laundering and other illicit activities by increasing ownership transparency in LLC’s, corporations, and similar business entities. 

To help you understand the details, access the official FinCen Small Entity Compliance Guide, locate reporting information and more, please see SCORE national resources linked below authored and presented by their Cleveland Volunteers, Tyler Bewley and Mark Krosse.

Social media is becoming more and more frustrating, right? If you have used it to connect with your audience for ten years or so, you undoubtedly have seen crazy changes in your reach. If you’re new to the social media for business scene, reaching 2% of your audience probably feels pretty normal.

But if you’re not reaching your audience, how are they going to know who you are and all the wonderful things your business can bring them? Click below to read the full article.

Attention Chamber Members!

The open enrollment period for Ohio Workers Compensation group rating and group retro discount programs is now underway, and we are excited to announce our partnership with Sedgwick and V & A Risk Services to help you maximize your savings.

If you haven’t secured a group discount yet or are exploring your options, now is the perfect time to consider our trusted partners. Sedgwick and V & A Risk Services have a long-standing relationship with the Chamber, offering tailored group programs designed to deliver substantial savings for our members.

By participating in these group rating programs, you could potentially see significant reductions in your Workers Compensation premiums. Whether you’re looking to get a new quote or finalize a pending one, the process is straightforward and can lead to impressive savings for your business. There is no obligation once you receive your quote.

Below are links that you can use to request a quote.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your financial efficiency. For more information or to get started, please contact us directly or reach out to Sedgwick and

V & A Risk Services.

Let’s work together to help you achieve the best possible rates!