BRIGHT SPOTS - Did you know that Mock Woodworking has produced architectural woodwork for high profile clients such as the Ohio Statehouse renovation, singer Reba McIntire's home, and Beverly Hills retailer Judith Leiber? Learn about this and other bright spots in our community by visiting our This is Zanesville & Muskingum County, Ohio webpage, and check back frequently to see new content.

ECONOMIC DASHBOARD - Here is the monthly Economic Dashboard for Muskingum County, courtesy of the Muskingum County Library System and the Chamber of Commerce.

SAFETY COUNCIL - The Safety Council meets this week to hear presentations about ways to save on workers' compensation and assistance available through OhioMeansJobs-Muskingum County. The meeting will be held from 8 am to 9 am on Wednesday, September 24 at Zanesville Country Club. All Chamber members are welcome to attend. The cost is $10 per person and includes breakfast. RSVP to tpoorman@zmchamber.com if you plan to attend.

MARKETING - Grow your business with a Chamber Marketing Package.  It helps you promote your products and services and save money at the same time.  

VISITOR GUIDE - The 2015 edition of the Official Visitor Guide for Muskingum County is being prepared now, and ad sales in the publication are underway. This is the community's largest and leading tourism marketing piece, with 100,000 copies of the full color publication printed. The guide is distributed to local visitors and at points throughout the area and across Ohio and in neighboring states. For information about advertising in this publication contact Lori Kappes at lkappes@zmchamber.com.

HOT DEALS- Take a look at the "Hot Deals" discounts being offered by your fellow Chamber members:  Chamber Hot Deals  

SOCIAL MEDIA - Many business transactions begin on social media. But according to the insidesales.com blog, that's only true for those salespeople using it correctly. "If you're social selling in the following ways, you're not really socially selling; you're just an old-school salesperson using social media....." Read More.

CUSTOMER SERVICE - This Mashable article says the way to improve your customer service and make your company essential is to embrace your customers' problems. "Here are four ways we can do better than customer service and actually enable customers to be successful, which results in success for our company, too....." Read More.

$10,000 PRIZE - MCBI is again hosting its annual business plan competition, and the winner will receive $10,000 in cash and services. The entry deadline is Friday, October 3. For details on the business plan requirements visit www.mcbi.info and click the links to review the application requirements and application materials.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - OhioMeansJobs-Muskingum County has funding available to help offset the pay of new hires during on-the-job training.  Up to 50% of the cost can be reimbursed to your business through this federal grant.  For more information about the On-The-Job-Training (OJT) program contact Justy Cordray at OhioMeansJobs at CORDRJ01@odjfs.state.oh.us or 454-6211.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS- If you have an event or meeting coming up you should enter it in our online calendar of events and meetings as a way to promote it.  It's free to members and it's simple to use.  There is a "submit new event" link on the right side of the calendar page.  Click it and fill in your details.  You can also find the calendar link at any time on the homepage of zmchamber.com.  

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