December 2021
OSHA Suspends COVID-19 Vaccination Emergency Temporary Standard
On November 16, OSHA announced that due to the ruling of the Court of Appeals regarding the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard, it has “suspended activities related to the implementation and enforcement of the ETS pending future developments in this litigation.”
 
This newly stated position of OSHA immediately impacts employers with 100 or more employees, who are not federal contractors and are not subject to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) guidance. It appears, based on this announcement, that employers are no longer faced with the December 5, 2021, and January 4, 2022, compliance deadlines associated with this OSHA vaccine or testing program. However, this does not impact the implementation of the CMS and Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandates.

We will continue to follow this issue and update you accordingly.
Ohio Chamber Blog-
All for Ohio
Recent action in the State Legislature includes pro-business legislation, fuel freedom bill and much more. To stay up to date click the read more button and follow the All for Ohio Blog from the Ohio Chamber.
OHIO COMMON SENSE INITIATIVE


TOLEDO BUSINESS JOURNAL

COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits Available
Thanks to the Seneca County Health Department, the Chamber has COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits available to local employers. If you are in need of rapid test kits, please call our office, 419-435-0486 or email admin@fostoriachamber.com. Limited quantities available.
Grow your business resources...
Solving Talent Challenges
 Innovative Programs to Help Ohio Companies Find and Sustain a Talented Workforce
JobsOhio recognizes the challenges organizations face when trying to find, hire and train a qualified workforce, and understands that a company thrives when its talent thrives. In an effort to help businesses in high demand industries like advanced manufacturing and technology, JobsOhio has created a multi-faceted approach to assisting Ohio companies in targeted, strategic partnerships. JobsOhio helps navigate the plentiful and professional workforce partners in Ohio, along with investing in increasing a skilled talent pool through key strategies for recruiting top talent, upskilling incumbent workers and reskilling workers for the jobs of the future.

Fostoria Learning Center along with our wonderful partners, Northwest State Community College, Ohio Means Jobs and the City Mission of Findlay, were featured on WTOL Channel 11 for the first of its kind program in fighting poverty and addressing workforce needs.
Did you miss a Safety Council meeting?

We are recording all
Safety Council meetings.

If you would like the recording, email Sarah@FostoriaChamber.com

or visit our YouTube Channel.
Substance Abuse Programs in Seneca County
Mircea Handru
Executive Director, MHRSB
Wednesday, December 15
11:30 a.m.
Fostoria Garden Club
Ohio Logistics
Southside Carryout
REM Ohio
Whippy Dip
Seagate Transportation
Extra Closet Storage

Thibodeau's Seneca Lanes
Fruth & Co.
Better Business Bureau
United Way of Fostoria
Harrold Floriana
Second Wind Music Center
210 S. Main St.
210 S. Main St.
(Located in the Thistle Exchange)
Our members are doing GREAT things!
Multiple Openings in Downtown Fostoria
The Thistle Exchange hosted a Chamber Ribbon Cutting to kick of their soft opening on Friday, November 5 and followed it with their grand opening on Saturday, November 6. This is the second location for the Thistle Exchange. Their first location is located in Findlay.
Their opening day in Fostoria was wildly successful and they have received tremendous support in the days that have followed. Please stop in and see their ever changing inventory from local and national vendors. They are located at 210 S. Main Street across from the Municipal building.
The Urban Market
The Urban Market, a clothing store located in Findlay, has opened a second location inside the Thistle Exchange, 210 S. Main Street in Downtown Fostoria. The Urban Market is owned by Lauren McKinnis, a Fostoria Elementary Special Needs Preschool teacher. Please help us in welcoming The Urban Market to the Chamber and to Fostoria!

Beyond Laser Creations Celebrates Grand Opening
Beyond Laser Creations, owned by Jena Stearns and the winner of the first LAUNCH Fostoria Business competition, opened November 10 at 110 N. Main St. This will be their temporary location until their permanent storefront is ready at 101 S. Main St.
On Friday, November 19 they hosted a Chamber Ribbon which featured an exclusive build your own custom ornament and followed the event with a Saturday Holiday Open House.
Sandy Creek Mining Company wins Award
Congratulations to Sandy Creek Mining Company! They won First Place at the IAAPA Expo 2021 for Best Exhibit.
Arts Council partners with Santa to Assist with Letters to Children
WHAT CHILD WOULDN’T LOVE A PERSONALIZED LETTER FROM SANTA???
 
Fostoria Community Arts Council has connections with Santa and  will be offering personalized letters from the Jolly Ole Man Up North to good little boys and girls!!
 
This will be a fundraiser for FCAC. All letters will be mailed to the child’s address provided on the form. If you are interested, pm us on our Facebook page, or send us an email @ fostoriaarts@gmail.com and we will email the form. The FCAC office (125 S Main St) will be open on Dec 4th from 10am-4pm. Forms can be picked up and filled out that day, and they can also be dropped off at the office that day. The form will ask the child’s name, age, address along with a couple things Santa should know about the child. Letters will be one child only per letter. Letters will be $7 for one child, 2 for $12, or 3 for &15 Forms must be returned to us by Dec 6th. Payment must accompany the forms.
Light Up Fostoria

The Fostoria Community Arts Council will again this year sponsor a "Light Up Fostoria" contest for the Holiday season. As last year, homes must be submitted for judging in the 44830 area and will be judged on outside lighting and decorations ONLY. The decorations must be up by Monday, December 13 and stay lit until January 2 from 6:00 - 11:00 pm. First place winner will receive $100, second place $50.00 and third place $25.00.
To register to enter (no charge) email FostoriaArts@gmail.com, message us here on face book or call us at 419-436-2787. Include your name, street address, email address and telephone number! Winners will be announced and contacted by December 17.
We will list the addresses of the contestants on our facebook page and in the Review Times so people can drive by and enjoy your hard work and outdoor decorations.
Fostoria Rail Preservation Society Holiday Events
santa_claus_list.jpg
SANTA at the DEPOT
November 30-December 21
Tues & Thurs 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Sat. Noon to 2:00 p.m.
LE&W Depot, 128 W. North St.
Adults: $3, Children: Free
different_wines.jpg
Santa's Wine & Cheese Tasting
December 3, 7-10 p.m.
LE&W Depot, 128 W. North St.
Rotary Christmas Parade
The Fostoria Rotary Club will host the Rotary Christmas Parade on December 4 at 1:30 p.m.
Planning Underway for Our 5th Year as an MSI Host Community!
We are starting to plan our participation in the Midwest Sculpture Initiative (MSI) for next year when we’ll celebrate our fifth year as a host community! The support and receptiveness to public art in our community has been inspiring and uplifting as we’ve worked to bring “new and different” to Fostoria through this unique program.
 
To date, the Fostoria Area Visitors Bureau has been instrumental in selling five sculptures that were on display here through this program, with four purchased to remain in our community and one going to a private collector. Plus, there is a pending sale on an additional piece to remain in our community this year as well. The visitors bureau received a commission from each of these sales, which we used toward the following year’s exhibit. It is really a great program for expanding the presence of public art in Fostoria!
 
The generosity of our community helps to ensure our ongoing participation! Please consider the attached sponsorship pledge form to support this important initiative for Fostoria’s revitalization. To help us budget for a 2022/2023 display, we are seeking pledges by December 1, 2021 with payment preferred by March 1, 2022.

Looking ahead to 2022...
GFCF is Seeking Country Mardi Gras 2022 Sponsors and Operating Mission Support
The Greater Fostoria Community Foundation is currently seeking sponsors for “Country Mardi Gras 2022”, which is scheduled for Friday, February 25, 2022. Their signature event will once again be held at Stacy’s Place featuring live music by Sugarcreek.

The mission of GFCF is to improve the quality of life by building a permanent endowment to support our community needs in areas such as the arts, culture, humanities, economic development, civic affairs, education, health and social services. The GFCF consists of 32 component funds that are invested with a portion of the income distributed as grant awards. Since inception in 1998, the GFCF has awarded more than $2.9 million to over 60 non-profit organizations in our community and beyond.
SAVE THE DATE
Greater Fostoria Community Foundation
Country Mardi Gras
Friday, February 25 at Stacy's Place
featuring Sugarcreek
2022 Fostoria Farmers' & Artisans' Market Schedule!
Exciting news! In addition to our Saturday Fostoria Farmers' & Artisans' Markets, we are introducing two Thursday late afternoon/evening markets in 2022! Mark your calendars and plan to join us at the grass lot at E. Tiffin and S. Main Streets on the following days:

  • Saturday, May 7 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 21 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 18 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 16 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 4 - 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 20 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, September 1 - 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 17 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

More great news! Plans are in place for the green space that we use for the markets to be leveled off and reseeded. More details about the Fostoria Farmers’ & Artisans’ Markets including updated vendors rules and application will be shared in the coming weeks. Watch www.fostoriaohio.org/fostoria-farmers-markets for the latest information.

Be sure to Like and Share our two official Facebook pages: Fostoria Farmers’ Market and Fostoria Farmers’ Market Online Sales!
We look forward to your continued participation in our markets!
2022 Chamber Annual Sponsorship Available
The sponsorship package advantage:
  • Have a one time payment
  • Fill out one sponsorship form
  • Your $$$ goes farther and gets you more visibility

Sponsorship packages help us to only approach you once per year when seeking sponsorships and allow you to finalize all your sponsorship and promotional details at one time. If a sponsorship package isn't a good fit, individual event sponsorship opportunities will still be available throughout the year.

2021 Chamber Sponsors
Platinum
Gold
Silver

Bronze
Callies Performance Products
AgCredit
Burns Petroleum
Clear Choice Exteriors
Financial Design Agency

Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau | 419-435-0486 | www.FostoriaOhio.org