Columbus Chamber Blog: Information about economic development, economic and business trends, Columbus workforce, programs, events and the Chamber of Commerce in and around Columbus, OH

Member Spotlight: Hollingsworth Logistics Group

About My Company:

Hollingsworth Logistics Group is a Native American owned and certified company providing a comprehensive portfolio of services tailored to exceed customer expectations through the use of industry leading SAP software, dedicated training programs and facilities. Our capabilities include: Contract packaging, kitting, light assembly, quality testing, modular build-up and sequencing, procurement, distribution, program management, freight management and third party logistics services. Hollingsworth’s business model leverages shared resources allowing for a competitive approach to the marketplace with a focus on lowering our customer’s overall cost. 

Why We’re Chamber Members:

Hollingsworth Logistics Group has been in operation more than three years in the Columbus Region and became Chamber members this year. With a corporate goal of business growth, the need to enhance our local business network became evident and a critical need for future success. The Chamber has been a tremendous asset with respect to introductions, business events and networking. Hollingsworth is a member of the Columbus Region Logistics Council as well.

Fun Facts about my Company:

We are proud to be a Native American owned company with a culture of hard work, continuous improvement and dedication to the customers, employees and giving back to the communities we serve.  No matter what the customer needs, collaboration is the key to success and the Hollingsworth workforce has the attitude to turn an opportunity into reality. Our people make us who we are!

Featured Product/Service:

While we are a full service logistics company offering a variety of services, we do have tremendous capability to develop specific customer programs. If there are special needs or an idea around cost savings, we collaborate and turn that idea into success using a team approach. The key to success is working together with our customers and that is what Hollingsworth is proud to say we do well.

Please go to www.HLGLLC.com for more information and a 3 1/2 minute video for a very clear picture of who we are and what we are capable of!

Columbus Chamber members rank on 2011 Inc. 500 | 5000 list

By Jay Scott, Director, Member Services

Fifteen members of the Columbus Chamber have been named to the prestigious Inc. 500|5000 list, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy--America’s independent entrepreneurs. 

The 2011 Inc. 5000 includes:

Company                                                        Rank

Anu Resources Unlimited                                  4232
Astor & Black Custom Clothiers                         1212
AXIA Consulting                                                1176
Barnes & Thornburg (Columbus office)                4005
CTL Engineering                                               3865
Expesite                                                          4980
Fast Switch                                                      2256
Live! Technologies                                             4604
Mission Essential Personnel                                235
Momentive Performance Materials Holdings         3489
Navigator Management Partners                         1755
Portfolio Creative                                               3611
Quantum Health                                                2948
Royal Document Destruction                              3162
Zipline Logistics                                                1315

In addition, 36 other Columbus Region businesses are ranked. See the full 2011 Inc. 5000 list here.

On behalf of the Chamber team, I would like to congratulate all of these enterprises for their achievements, ranking among the fastest growing and the most successful businesses in the country. The significant presence of Columbus companies is certainly a testament to the innovation and talent that are fueling our region’s economy.

As your business moves forward, remember that the Chamber exists to support you.

Call on us as your business partner, and we’ll connect you to information and resources to help you thrive.

Member Spotlight: CME Federal Credit Union

About My Company

Celebrating our 76^th Anniversary of business, CME Federal Credit Union was formed in 1935 by a group of local Columbus Fire Fighters and later added the Columbus Police Department and City and County Employees.

Why We’re Chamber Members

At CME Federal Credit Union, “Community Means Everything!”  A full-service credit union with a community charter, we reach out to local areas we serve by joining area Chambers of Commerce. By being a member of the Columbus Chamber we have the opportunity to meet local business leaders and organizations one-on-one to explain the advantages and benefits of a credit union. Historically, we have served City of Columbus employees for more than 75 years and have opened our membership to all Columbus employees.

Fun Facts About My Company

With five branches centrally located throughout Columbus, Pickerington, Hilliard, Clintonville, Downtown Columbus and Westerville, we can serve anyone that lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Franklin County.

Every member is an owner – we are a not-for-profit cooperative and have approximately 25,000 members and growing.

Featured Product/Service

Our ez 2 Earn Checking Account is great for when you need more from your checking account. It rewards you up to 2% APY on your checking and 2% APY on your savings! Simply open the account, use e-statements/e-notices and do a minimum of 10 signature-based transactions with your CME debit card each month to earn dividends. Features include fee-free unlimited check writing, free unlimited transactions at any ATM (ATM operator surcharge may apply), free box of 50 checks and much more.

Contact us for more information.

www.cmefcu.org

Young Professionals Spotlight: Capital City Young Republicans

Each month, the Columbus Chamber spotlights a local young professional or professional organization to showcase what they offer, how to get involved and when to check out their next event. For the month of August, Capital City Young Republicans is featured.

When and why was the Cap City Young Republicans founded?
Founded in 1936, the Cap City Young Republicans Club celebrates its 75th birthday this year with a long, rich history of engaging young professionals in the political process and helping to elect capable Republican candidates, including some of our own members, to serve as elected officeholders in Columbus, Franklin County, our state and across the country.

Why become a member?
Members of Cap City YRs are between the ages of 18 and 40 and are interested in taking an active role in Republican politics. Because we are young people with different skills, opportunities and situations to incorporate into their political activity, we take a very active role in GOP activities in communities throughout Franklin County. Our members participate in everything from voter registration drives, to phone bank operations, to serving as campaign managers and staff as well as running for public office themselves. Our club provides the opportunity for young people who are interested in good government to:

• learn about government and politics
• participate in the political process
• meet with elected officials and Republican key-decision makers
• meet like-minded individuals in their own community as well as across the state and nation
• become better informed and more involved citizens

What are some successes or cool facts about Cap City Young Republicans?
Cap City is the oldest, continuously operating Young Republican Club in the country.

Tell me about Cap City Young Republican's upcoming events.
Cap City Young Republicans night out at the Columbus Clippers
Join Cap City YRs to see Columbus Clippers vs. Buffalo Bison at Huntington Park.
Tuesday, August 23 at 7:05 p.m.
330 Huntington Park Lane
Columbus, OH 43215
Happy hour before the game (location TBA)

Cap City Young Republicans Networking Social at Brother’s on Park St.
Join Cap City YRs after work for a great happy hour networking social at Brother’s Bar & Grill.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
477 Park Street
Columbus, OH 43215

How do I become a member?
To get involved with the Cap City YRs, contact our club president Sara Molski at sara.molski@ymail.com or our membership chair Emily Schmidbauer at emily.schmidbauer@gmail.com.

Where can I go to learn more about Cap City YRs?
Visit our web site at http://capcityyrs.webs.com/ and join our Facebook page.

To learn about nearly 60 other local YP and professional organizations, view the Columbus Chamber's directory of YP and professional organizations.

Member Spotlight: AlerStallings

About My Company

Tim Stallings is one of the founding partners of AlerStallings LLC, an estate planning and elder law firm based in Dublin. By using project-driven staffing and incorporating recent innovations in technology into our practice, we are able to offer “big firm” expertise at boutique firm pricing. 

Why We’re Chamber Members

No matter your age, race, gender, religion, or sexual preference, every adult living in Columbus can benefit from effective estate planning. Through networking with other members, we have had the opportunity to discuss the advantages of early planning and help many people implement an estate planning strategy to protect wealth from probate costs, taxes and long-term health care costs. 

Fun Facts about my Company

Our consultations are free, which is uncommon in our industry. We also frequently host free educational events (wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, etc.) to increase estate planning awareness and have provided free estate planning to military personnel, police officers and firefighters. You can sign up for those events at http://www.alerstallings.com/events.

Featured Product/Service

While every plan is personalized, we offer a variety of estate planning packages which provide a comprehensive map of your health and financial decisions and desires. We also provide all-inclusive Medicaid planning for persons who are entering or have already entered a nursing home. 

For more information, visit http://www.alerstallings.com.

Tourism can boost economic developement

By Bill LaFayette, vice president, economic analysis

Recently, I answered a question on LinkedIn for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)– Is tourism a legitimate economic development strategy?”

I vote yes for two reasons.

1. Tourism is a prime example of an export industry—it brings dollars into your region from elsewhere. That is the only way that household income and standard of living can rise. The direct jobs tend to be lower-wage but can provide some level of income to individuals who might otherwise not have any; the indirect jobs, on the other hand, are spread across all industries and wage levels.

2. If you make your region attractive to tourists, you make it attractive to residents as well, so it can help with workforce retention. And don't forget that if you make your region sufficiently attractive to tourists, some will become residents.

Don’t underestimate the positive impact tourism can have on economic development. I encourage you to learn more about all there is do so and see right here in Columbus at www.experiencecolumbus.com.

Member Spotlight: Accessible Translation Solutions

About My Company

Located in Columbus, Accessible Translation Solutions, LLC (ATS) serves a vast community by offering on-site interpretation, document translation, transcription, localization, DTP services, voice-over and Language Instruction for Special Purposes. ATS is the efficient, reliable solution to your language needs. We offer competitive prices and quality service to each client, producing a finished and polished product that allows you a seamless experience in breaking the language barrier.

Why We’re Chamber Members

We hope to become more involved in the community and offer language services to those who wish to reach a more diverse and global community. We are also members of the Northeast Ohio Translators Association and the director is a proud member of the American Translators Association.

Fun Facts about my Company

Director, Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo (pictured above) presented “Bilingual Signage in Louisville, KY: A linguistic-semiotic perspective” at the Southwest Texas Popular Culture and American Culture Association’s conference on April 23 in San Antonio, TX. Also look for her forthcoming book review in Multilingual Magazine on Joe Kutchera’s book Latino Link: Building Brands Online with Hispanic Communities and Content.  

Featured Product/Service

Not only can ATS provide you and your business or organization with qualified interpreters and professional translation, we also offer the option to receive specialized language instruction in the language(s) of your choice at competitive prices. ATS comes to you! ATS creates a package for your specific needs and can also provide translation of documents for future use within your company or organization. Besides providing knowledge of the language(s) in which you need instruction, ATS includes cultural awareness sessions in the package, per your request.

For more information, visit www.accessibletranslations.com or view the director’s blog.

 

Member Spotlight: Sheakley UniComp, Inc.

About My Company 

Sheakley UniComp, Inc., an affiliate of Sheakley, is the third largest Managed Care Organization (MCO) in the State of Ohio and is a nationally accredited case manager (URAC). Sheakley UniComp, Inc. is dedicated to providing quality, cost effective medical care which will facilitate a safe and timely return to work. The program promotes proper and continuous communication between the injured worker, the employer, the provider and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, making the medical management of workers’ compensation claims easier for all parties involved.

Why We’re Chamber Members: 

With our new office location in Columbus, we feel it’s very important to support our local Chamber. We look forward to networking and supporting opportunities to help local businesses to grow their business.

Fun Facts about my Company

Sheakley-Unicomp, Inc. is the third largest MCO in State of Ohio and we grew our client base 114 percent from March 2010 to June 2010.

Featured Product/Service

Sheakley UniComp, Inc. bridges the gap between workplace injuries and a successful return to work through the following programs and services:

• Return to Work
• Transitional Work
• Vocational Rehab
• Remain at Work
• Early Injury Reporting
• On-Site Therapy
• Pro-Active Case Management
• Ergonomic Evaluations

Focusing on all of these services and programs allows you to improve your workers’ compensation program and ultimately reduce your workers’ compensation premiums.

www.sheakley.com/mco.asp