Oak Harbor Chamber Newsletter

January 2024

The Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Member Dinner will be held on January 26, 2024 at 5:30pm at the Camp Perry Conference Center. The evening will kick off with social hour, followed by a hot buffet dinner, a short business meeting, and then entertainment with Guy in the 419-Name that Tune and a Chinese Auction! Tickets are $25.00 each, and may be purchased below. Deadline to RSVP is January 19, 2024.

Get ready for a blackout you will never forget! On April 8, 2024, the moon will completely block out the sun for a rare total solar eclipse. Due to our global position directly in the path of totality, we will enjoy incredible, unobstructed viewing times of approximately four minutes—one of the longest durations in the entire region! The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806. The next total solar eclipse in Ohio will be in the year 2099.

We encourage businesses to offer events, specials and watch parties. Shores & Islands Ohio has created a dedicated website to all things Eclipse. If you plan on having an event, you can submit it online or if you are looking for an event it is a great resource. https://www.shoresandislands.com/solar-eclipse/

The Ottawa County Fairgrounds will be offering camping that weekend from Thursday-Monday. Several businesses and organizations are planning fun events and we plan to make a full local schedule. If you are interested in camping, you can sign up online at: https://ottawacountyfair.hometownticketing.com

The OCIC’s Business & Industry Awards event recognizes outstanding companies and individuals that have demonstrated success in business and have contributed to the growth and vitality of Ottawa County. Click the image below to learn more and register!

January is National Mentoring Month, so it is the perfect time to find a mentor for your business. See why other business owners choose to work with SCORE mentors and why you should start working with one today. Use the SCORE Mentor Matchmaker to identify your best mentor matches. You can search by location, type of business support offered, market niche and more. Plus, it is always FREE to work with a SCORE mentor.

BWC continues to promote Better You, Better Ohio! (BYBO), a full wellness program designed to provide health and wellness resources to workers who work for small employers (250 or fewer workers) in high-risk industries assuming the employer does not currently have a wellness program in place. 

BYBO offers workers financial rewards (up to $225) for taking steps to improve their health and wellness such as completing a health assessment and a biometric screening. Health coaching and activity incentives are also available.

BWC offers a monthly informational webinar for any employer who wants to know more. For your convenience, BWC is conducting a free, 25-minute webinar on the Better You, Better Ohio! Program. Click the following link to register:

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 - 10 a.m.

For more information visit the following links:

Better You, Better Ohio! - Health and wellness program | Bureau of Workers' Compensation

Active Health - Better You, Better Ohio!

Another great fact about BYBO: If, as an employer, you don’t think you are eligible due to your size or industry, simply enrolling in the Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program (SURWSP) makes you eligible for BYBO! BWC permits any employer in SURWSP to be eligible for the BYBO program, regardless of industry* or size. Participation in the program is subject to the rules and policies of the BYBO program.