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Ohio has a long and diverse business history, and its many miles of shoreline, numerous ports, abundant water supplies, and more recently, inexpensive energy sources, make it one of the most enduring states in the nation for manufacturing. Jefferson County alone is home to many manufacturing businesses, ranging from small, independently owned facilities to large corporations with a multitude of products being produced and shipped across the country and around the world each year.

The theme for the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s 109th Annual Awards Dinner & Meeting on Wednesday, October 18th is “A Salute To Manufacturing” and will give a much-deserved nod to the local manufacturers who live and work here. The featured speaker will be Mr. Rob Brundrett, Director of Public Policy Services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA).

Mr. Brundrett coordinates OMA’s day-to- day lobbying efforts at the statehouse and before the executive branch. He works extensively with manufacturing leaders on a variety of issues, including workers’ compensation, environment, healthcare, workforce, and taxes. He also manages important legal and ethics compliance functions for OMA. Prior to being named Director of Public Policy Services, Mr. Brundrett worked as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Auditor of State, Dave Yost.

Did you know that there are only 330 drive-in movie theaters left in the US? This is down from over 4,000 in the late 1950’s. And Jefferson County is home to one of them. Why not bring your families, employees or co-workers out for a nostalgic night at the Winter Drive-In in Wintersville.

We’re making it easy and affordable to get a high-quality, professional photograph for all of your business needs. 

As the holiday shopping season looms on the horizon, now’s the time to make sure your customer service is top notch.  The Chamber is excited to announce, “Customer First”, a mystery shopping program that is affordable, easy to implement and can provide crucial information to our local business owners and managers.

If you’re not familiar with mystery shopping services, you’re not alone. Many small businesses either have not heard of them or believe they are too expensive to utilize and not important enough to explore. In short, mystery shoppers are hired to pose as shoppers to assess your business operations. They discreetly and professionally perform a specific set of tasks such as purchasing a product or service, returning a product, registering a complaint, asking questions of sales reps, contacting your business by phone, and other related assignments.  The business owner or manager completes a short survey prior to the visits to outline what information they are interested in gathering. Afterward, the business is provided with a comprehensive, confidential summary report that outlines the results.  You may use it in a variety of ways; from rewarding employees who stand out to putting training and policies in place to remedy problem areas. Phone shops are also available to help ensure that all calls to your company are being handled politely and professionally.

In essence, a mystery shopping program will provide objective quantitative and qualitative feedback about the experience that the shopper had at your business. From their feedback, you are able to determine if your employees are living up to the standards you’ve set for them and if they’re following company procedures and practices on a regular basis and/or when the owner or manager is not present.

Promote local shopping by making the decision to patronize your business an easy one.  Utilize the chamber’s new program to get an honest, all-encompassing view of an actual customer experience.  Click here for more information and pricing or contact the chamber offices at 740.282.6226.

It’s the first Friday in July, and you know what that means.  It’s time once again for the Chamber’s one-and-only “non-event.”

In case you haven’t had a chance to join us yet, First Friday is a casual, post-work gathering at one of our member restaurants with specially priced appetizers, drink specials, and more. And by casual, we mean no program, no speaker, no registration, no meeting, and no real purpose other than to wind down and hang out.  Now in its 5th month, First Friday is a big hit with Chamber members who seem to really enjoy the opportunity to socialize while being off-the-clock and leaving all pretense of business at the office.

We’d like to invite you to come on over to Damon’s Grill & Sports Bar this evening from 5 to 7. Feel free to bring a friend, co-worker, or spouse. Damon’s will have some great appetizer and drink specials along with gift card giveaways and other surprises.  And there’s no charge and no need to RSVP – because, you know, it’s not really an event. See you there.

It’s A Chamber Buy One, Get One Offer.

The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce purchases many gift cards from its members throughout the year to be used as door prizes and giveaways for various promotional projects.  We are in the process of replenishing these gift cards and want to extend a special offer that’s exclusively for Chamber members.

For every $10 gift card that is donated by your business, the Chamber will purchase another $10 gift card from you as well. Please mail your gift cards to the Chamber offices at 630 Market Street, Steubenville, Ohio 43952, and we’ll reciprocate upon receipt.

And if you’re not a business that offers gift cards, consider supporting your favorite restaurant, retailer, or other business by purchasing and sending one in from them.  We’ll match those as well.

This weekend marks six months out from Christmas. 

Yes, yes, we know. Christmas is still six months away, but for many of our member businesses, the holiday season is the major event on their fiscal calendar.  It never fails, though. The holidays always manage to sneak up on the average small business owner and often plans of organized and exciting marketing programs or special events aimed at boosting sales go by the wayside.  Many will scramble simply to get their place of business decorated and shelves stocked and employee schedules in order.

This year, the Chamber is geared up to help jumpstart your yuletide planning and keep you on track by providing tips, information and easy-to-implement strategies to help maximize sales and improve customer satisfaction. Print them, post them at your business and/or distribute them to employees.  By starting now, we can encourage local spending, promote our products and services and put local businesses in the best light possible this holiday season. Start here by downloading and printing this helpful checklist.  A great place to start.

Who says there isn’t anything to do in Jefferson County? This weekend is packed from end to end with activities and events for the whole family.

Today is the final round of the 2017 Holy Trinity Greek Festival, which is one of our members’ favorite summer events. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and takes place at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church at 300 S. 4th St. in Steubenville. Whether your taste buds are longing for Lamb Stew, Baklava or a fresh, hot gyro, you won’t be disappointed.  Carry-out orders may be placed via the online ordering system, phone or fax. Please visit the Festival’s website by clicking here or view the complete menu here.  Admission and parking are both free.

And tomorrow, Saturday, June 17, the Historic Fort Steuben & Visitor Center will be hosting the 2017 Hometown Celebration: Dean Martin Centennial from 9 a.m. to midnight. Commemorating the city’s native son, the event is the highlight of the four-day Dean Martin Festival. Dino’s daughter, Deana Martin, will join the birthday parade down 4th Street, after which there will be a Meet and Greet with her at the Fort Steuben Visitor Center at 120 S. 3rd St. The Street Fair is free, while admission for the 4 p.m. Dean Martin 100th Birthday Show at Steubenville High School and the 7 p.m. Dean Martin Celebration at the Spot Bar are $10 each. For the whole slate of events, please click here or call 740-283-4935 for more information.

And most important of all, don’t forget that this Sunday is Father’s Day. We salute all of the fathers within our Chamber membership and thank you for all you’ve done and are doing to raise the next generation of Jefferson County leaders.

We promised a Chamber event like no other, and boy, did our our Ambassadors deliver. This past Tuesday in the green space at the Best Western PLUS The Inn at Franciscan Square, over 125 people sang and danced through dinnertime with games, music, and the most decadent, calorie-laden burgers this side of Guy Fieri.

The Chamber would like to offer its most heartfelt thanks to Nicole Adamski, secretary of the Ambassador Club, Chris Orris, chairman of the Ambassador Club and the entire Burger Bash committee. Their hard work ensured that this annual event was a rousing success and that the newly formed “Anita Jackson Community Service Scholarship” received the support it needed.  It will continue to fund two scholarships for students who will be graduating from a Jefferson County high school and continuing their education at either Eastern Gateway Community College or Franciscan University of Steubenville.  

“Thanks to Nicole and Chris’ passion, we not only had a fun evening, but we also honored Anita’s memory and her passion for education and community service,” Tricia Maple-Damewood, Chamber president, said. “That means a lot to the Chamber and to our ongoing efforts to provide our members with events that are different from the usual business functions.”

Speaking of our members, we would also like to thank those of you who attended and supported the 7th Annual Burger Bash. As with most Chamber’s events, there are many sponsors who helped make the event a success. Please find their names below and remember to support their businesses.

Major Sponsors:  The Inn At Franciscan Square, Advanced Entertainment Limousine, Valley Converting Co., Tri-State Financial Services – Suzanne Kresser, Jarvis Law Office, Ohio Valley Vision Center, Hancock County Savings Bank, Murray’s Restaurant, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Trinity Health System, Eastern Gateway Community College, Steubenville City Schools, Sienna Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, Apollo Professional Cleaning & Restoration and Steubenville Kiwanis Club.

Supporting Sponsors:

• Hauser Furniture Co., Inc.
• First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union
• Joyce CPA’s, Inc.
• Carter Healthcare
• General Rental, Inc.
• Two Brothers Dry Cleaners
• Ohio Valley Business & Professional Women
• Wintersville Trophy Shop
• Signs Limited, LLC
• Proforma Innovative Services
• Valley Hospice, Inc.
• Holiday Inn Of Weirton
• Scaffidi’s Restaurant & Tavern
• McBane Insurance & Financial Services
• Snack Brothers Candy & Chip Company
• Manfred’s Catering
• Mama G’s Catering
• Federico Imported Foods
• Kroger Company – Steubenville
• Steubenville Popcorn Company
• Eat ‘N Park
• Gus’s Goodies
• The Laurels
• Dee Jay’s BBQ Ribs & Grille
• A & B Pharmacy
• Diamond Pharmacy
• Hess Corporation