THIS WEEK 
September 24, 2015
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HOW ARE WE DOING?
- Bright Spots
- New Members
- Workers' Comp Group Rating
- Exporting Grants
- Training Grants
- Home Sales Indicators
- Marketing Resources
- Accepting Chip Cards
- 5 Member Services You Should Use This Month
- Lead Certification Class for Contractors
- What's Happening
BRIGHT SPOTS
Congratulations to sculptor Alan Cottrill and Weasel Boy Brewery for being honored this week at the Ohio Statehouse as Appalachian Success Stories. Read about Bright Spots like this at www.zmbrightspots.com and at our social media accounts.
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR WORKERS COMP GROUP
Group rating is a state-approved and proven approach to reducing your workers' compensation costs. It is designed to allow employers of similar industries to "pool" their combined workers' compensation experience and file with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) as one larger employee group through sponsoring organizations like the Chamber. Employers participating in the Chamber's group saved last year an average of $3,800 last year in premiums. Now is your annual opportunity to apply for our group rating program administrated through CareWorksComp, Ohio's largest third party administrator. There is no cost or obligation to apply and it takes only a minute - just go online at www.careworkscomp.com/groupratingapplication and complete the form or call 800.837.3200 extension 57129 or 57200. You will receive a premium savings estimate later in the fall and can make a decision at that time whether to participate in the group or not.
GRANTS FOR EXPORTING
The IMAGE program, funded by the Ohio Office of Export Assistance and the U.S. Small Business Administration, offers financial assistance for small businesses to promote their products and services in international markets. The grant will provide a 50 percent reimbursement up to $10,000 per fiscal year for qualifying activities. There is no application deadline. Grant funding is available on a first-come first serve basis. For more information visit http://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_image.htm.
TRAINING GRANTS AVAILABLE
The Ohio Incumbent Worker Training Program is again taking applications for up to $4,000 per employee per fiscal year. Businesses can begin the online application process on Sept. 28 and will have more than two weeks to gather the necessary information to complete their application. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first- served basis and can be submitted beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 14. The program is designed to offset a portion of the employer's costs to upgrade the skills of its incumbent workforce and will provide reimbursement to eligible employers for specific training costs accrued during training. The program's funding will be used in conjunction with a private 50% match to fund skill-upgrade training. Eligible employers must demonstrate that by receiving funding assistance through the Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program their business will not only obtain a skilled workforce but will improve their company processes and competitiveness.Click here for more information about the Ohio Incumbent Workforce Training Voucher Program.
HOME SALES INDICATORS
Home sales and home construction drive a large portion of the US economy. Insperity.com reports that last month existing home sales jumped to an eight-plus-year high (highest since February 2007), increasing 2.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.59 million and were 10.3 percent higher than its annual rate of a year ago. June marked the 10th consecutive month that sales were above year-ago levels. Here is Insperity's Housing Industry Dashboard for more detailed information.
MARKETING RESOURCES AND RECOMMENDED READING
ACCEPTING CHIP CARDS
October 1 is the deadline for merchants to begin using newer point-of-sale terminals to accept chip cards. Meanwhile, banks are steadily sending chip cards to millions of customers as replacements for magnetic stripe cards. Chip cards are more secure than the older technology, and the U.S. is one of the latest countries to make the conversion. Read more from Computerworld.com
5 MEMBER SERVICES YOU SHOULD USE THIS MONTH
CERTIFICATON CLASS FOR CONTRACTORS
Attention Lead Certified Contractors, Painters & Renovators: The Buckeye Valley BIA will be hosting a Lead Safe Renovator Refresher Class on October 7, 2015. The Lead Renovator Certification must be renewed every five years with the EPA, and some EPA - authorized states require renewal even earlier. Don't let your lead certification expire.
The class is from 7:45 a.m to 12:00 p.m. at West Main Street, Newark. Th cost is $150.00 (member fee) or $175.00 (non-member fee). To register call the BIA at 740-345-2898 or email bia@buckeyevalleybia.com.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
You can also add your own event by clicking the submit event button at zmchamber.com.
Goss Supply & Rental
Longaberger Country Club
Norvell Hearing Aid Center
Partyland Supply Co.
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