THIS WEEK 
November 24, 2015
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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.
BRIGHT SPOTS Did you know that the Zanesville-Muskingum County area is a hotbed for the arts? Check out our illustrated list of local art people and places. Also, visit our "Bright Spots" website for more about the positive aspects of our community.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY IS THIS WEEK!
RECOMMENDED MARKETING RESOURCES
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION CHANGES PROPOSED
A bill has been introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives that would make changes to the state's unemployment compensation system. Here is an article that discusses the introduction of House Bill 394, and here is a page with links to more information, including an analysis of the bill. Although our local chamber has not adopted a formal position on this legislation, here is the stance of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, which supports passage of the bill. Here also is analysis of the bill form the Ohio Manufacturers Association. Opponents of the bill object to the proposed cut in jobless benefits included in the legislation.
BUSINESS FINANCING PROGRAM
The USDA Rural Development Business & Industry (B&I) Loan Guarantee is a financing option that businesses can use in conjunction with bank financing.
- The B&I loan guarantee program can offer attractive long term financing options for real estate purchases and improvements, machinery & equipment purchases, term working capital and debt refinancing.
- The Ohio Rural Development Business Program staff can help you walk through the benefits and the requirements for this loan guarantee program should you have questions.
- For more information contact Randy Monhemius, randy.monhemius@oh.usda.gov, 614-255-2424.
GRANTS TO GROW EXPORTS
The IMAGE program, funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Ohio Office of Export Assistance, offers financial assistance for small businesses to promote their products and services in international markets.
- The grant will provide a 50% reimbursement up to $10,000 per fiscal year for qualifying activities.
- Funding is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and the deadline to complete proposed activities is September 29, 2016.
- To learn more and to apply, please visit http://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_image.htm
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know the Chamber is a local independent private nonprofit corporation? It is not a branch of the state or national chamber, not a unit of local government, and not part of the state or national Department of Commerce.
FESTIVAL SUPPORTS LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The Chamber organizes the annual Festival of Trees event as a community holiday celebration, a promotional opportunity for members, and a fundraiser for the Chamber organization. So far, dozens of businesses and organizations have submitted entries, and dozens more are expected. Here is the list to-date of entries. For more information on the festival including an entry form and schedule please visit www.zmchamber.com/trees.html.
NEW SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING SERVICE
SLN (Save Local Now) is a suite of social media marketing tools that now comes FREE with a Chamber membership. SLN is an online software platform that enables you to:
- Manage multiple social media accounts from one place
- Build an email list of current and prospective customers and regularly market to it
- Get ideas for social posts and email messages
- Access how-to resources to help you improve your marketing
- Offer promotions, events and specials and easily post them to multiple social accounts
- Benefit from automatic search engine optimization, resulting in your business appearing higher in search results on the major search engines
- Save time and more efficiently manage your social, email and other marketing efforts
- Get training on using the platform for you and your team members
You should have just received an email about about how to access your SLN account. If not please contact dmatz@zmchamber.com so we can be sure to give you instructions on how to get started. Also, visit www.zmchamber.com/sln.html for more information.
TAKE THE OHIO ECONOMIC SURVEY
We invite you to take the 2016 Ohio Economic Outlook Health Check.
- The health check is a short online survey you can complete on your phone or laptop in 5 minutes.
- The free online health check poll gathers the perspectives of business people on the outlook for their organization, community, region, and Ohio.
- Over 6,000 U.S. and Canadian chambers of commerce, convention & visitor bureaus, and economic development councils are distributing this health check to their members to better understand how we can make our communities great places for businesses to grow.
- Please take the health check poll now.
FOR THIS WEEK'S MEETINGS AND EVENTS!
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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