BRIGHT SPOTS - Did you know that Quasar Energy produces natural gas fuel from its biomass waste-to-energy facility in Newton Township? Learn about this and other bright spots in our community by visiting our Zanesville & Muskingum County BRIGHT SPOTS website, and check back frequently to see new content.

WAGE SURVEY - The annual wage and benefit survey for Muskingum County has kicked off. To participate please go to www.zmchamber.com and follow the link for the wage survey. Participation helps you know where your compensation stands in comparison to other employers.

NEW SERVICE - We are pleased to introduce a new service for members - we call it the "Chamber Experts" section of our website. This section features instructional articles and columns written by members about topics in their areas of expertise.Audio and video recordings are welcome, too. This service provides members with a way to establish their expertise in their professional field and promote their business.  It also provides other Chamber members with a valuable resource they can use to improve their own business and enhance their personal knowledge. To submit a column or how-to article of approximately 500 words (or a video or audio file of about 2 minutes in length), email tpoorman@zmchamber.com. 

TRAINING MONEY - The Ohio Development Services Agency is now accepting applications for the Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program. This employer-driven program is targeted to provide direct financial assistance to train workers and improve the economic competitiveness of Ohio's employers. For more information and to apply, please visit http://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_wtvp.htm. 

NETWORKING - The monthly First Friday Art Walk, hosted by the members of the Artist Colony of Zanesville, will be held on October 3.  The event is held from 5 to 8 pm and you can visit the galleries and studios at your own pace.  The www.artcoz.org website provides a complete list of locations and a preview of special events taking place.

MATCHMAKER EVENT - The Great Lakes Business Conference, held in Toledo on October 8, will feature a matchmaker component where you can make
instant connections with purchasing professionals from Fortune 500 corporations seeking specific supplier capabilities. Suppliers will have prearranged one-on-one, 15 minute meetings with companies that need their products and services. To apply as a supplier and for more information visit the Business Matchmaker website.

SAFETY INNOVATIONS - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation has announced the fourth annual Safety Innovations Competition. This competition recognizes development of innovative solutions that help to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. Ohio employers that have developed and implemented an effective, innovative solution to an occupational safety or health issue can submit an application. The selected finalists will display their innovations at the Ohio Safety Congress on April 1 and 2, 2015, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. At that time, a panel of independent judges will evaluate and score the innovations and award cash prizes up to $7,000 each For more information visit https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/downloads/blankpdf/InnovationsFlyer.pdf

How Are We Doing? - How likely are you to recommend Chamber membership to another business person?   Let us know right now through this one question survey.      

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