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

Citizen Engagement Efforts Strive to Revitalize Detroit and Cleveland

By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

Last month, I attended the Great Lakes Cities: Urban Laboratories, a conference in Cleveland for emerging leaders who are creative, forward-thinking, and devoted to the revitalization of their home towns. It was my third year attending this annual GLUE (Great Lakes Urban Exchange) conference to proudly represent Columbus. I was intrigued with two volunteer-driven movements to engage citizens in local policy, elections, and public decision-making in Detroit and Cleveland: Declare Detroit and Cleveland Coalition.

Declare Detroit
The purpose of the Detroit Declaration is “to elect leadership who will be our allies in a new vision for Detroit and to hold them accountable for upholding the principles outlined in the Declaration.” By signing the Declaration, individuals are making a personal commitment to promote these principles in their daily life and work. Furthermore, they are agreeing to help elect leaders who support them and advocate for policies that uphold them. Approximately 4,000 individuals have signed the Detroit Declaration Detroit Declaration and more than 12,000 people like the group’s Facebook page.

Cleveland Coalition
The Cleveland Coalition is a civic organization of Clevelanders working to create and sustain a more vibrant, healthy and connected community by building civic imagination, community participation and leadership capacity. The coalition’s events allow citizens to participate in policy discussions and empower citizens to take action through the philosophy of “Educate. Collaborate. Act”. The issues and ideas engaged by the coalition focus on quality of life, economic innovation and social equity. The Coalition advocates for these issues through partnerships with existing institutions. To date, the Coalition has focused on one issue, Crooked River Gaming, in which the Coalition’s desire is to make the casino successful not only for its owner and operator but also for the city of Cleveland.

These movements reminded me of local initiatives, efforts and organizations that advocate for issues that are important such as Casino-Free Columbus and the Create Columbus Commission (Columbus’s Young Professionals Commission). However, I’m interested in your thoughts. What do you think about the movements in Detroit and Cleveland? Are there similar efforts in Columbus? What issues or ideas would you like to advocate for in Columbus?

Young Professionals Demonstrating Community Trusteeship

By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

Young professionals (YPs) often ask my advice about how they should become involved in the community beyond participating in YP events and activities. I suggest demonstrating community trusteeship, whether that means volunteering for a non-profit organization or participating in a local leadership program. Why should you participate in a leadership program? Well, I can tell you from personal experience that leadership programs will help you build your personal and professional network, develop your leadership skills and prepare you to serve on a non-profit board of trustees. In fact, it helped to prepare me for the coolest job in the land as the young professionals manager.

As a proud graduate of the Leadership Columbus class of 2007, I had an invaluable experience during the 10-month program. Meeting and connecting with fellow classmates, such as Debra Penzone, president of Charles Penzone Family of Salons, as well as community leaders like my then-future-boss, Ty Marsh, president and CEO of the Columbus Chamber, was incredible. “The Leadership Columbus experience is a unique combination of relationship-building, learning, problem-solving, civic engagement and personal growth.” It was a tremendous opportunity that my previous employer supported as part of my career and leadership development. (I'm pictured on the far left with some of my Leadership Columbus classmates in the photo on the right.) 

A few months after starting at the Columbus Chamber, I was presented with an opportunity to serve on my first board – the board of trustees for Capital Crossroads SID (Special Improvement District) on behalf of the Chamber. I also serve as the chair of the SID’s promotions committee. I take both roles very seriously and consider it an opportunity to exercise my community trusteeship. I have a great sense of ownership of downtown Columbus and the community as a whole. I don’t know that I would have been asked, let alone prepared, to serve in this capacity without my Leadership Columbus experience.

Not all leadership programs are the same – some have no or low tuition, as few as 12 program participants or sessions on Saturdays. To learn more about local leadership programs, I highly recommend that you check out the following links (not a comprehensive list):

• Central Ohio Leadership Organizations: http://www.leadershipcolumbus.org/news-and-events/central-ohio-leadership-organizations.php
• Capital Club’s Ladder Society: http://www.capitalcolumbus.com/ladder-society
• Leadership Union County: http://www.unioncountychamber.com/leadershipunioncounty.aspx

Think about how YOU can be a community trustee. Apply for local leadership programs. Ask others about their experiences in various leadership programs. Be ready to serve your community. Columbus needs your leadership.

Project Mentor, or "Aren't You Going to Say Magenta?"

By Andrea Applegate

James and I got off to a rocky start. If you had asked any of my Chamber colleagues to rank the mentor matches at the time, James and I would likely have landed at the very bottom, the Least Likely to Succeed.  Now that we have completed our third school year together, there’s no question that we have a fantastic relationship.

It was the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year when a handful of Chamber staff signed up for Project Mentor, a program that matches volunteers—primarily from the business community—with 8th graders in Columbus City Schools for long-term mentoring relationships. Ideally, mentors will continue through to see these students graduate from high school in 2012.  It seems like a big commitment, but it’s actually very easy.  Students and mentors meet as a group once a week at the school during the students’ lunch period.  (The Chamber was assigned to a middle school less than a mile from our office.) 

To keep each other on track, my colleagues and I block off that time on our calendars, and we carpool over to the school. The school-based coordinator facilitates planned activities. Essentially, all we need to do is show up. 

Who knew that a simple action—just showing up—could have such positive impact? Upon receiving my mentor match assignment, I learned James was autistic. I had no idea what that meant for James—or for me. I anticipated that he might have trouble interacting with his environment and maybe it’s difficult for him to establish relationships with people. I decided to take it slow, be patient, and take my lead from James:  supporting him in things he wanted to do, not pressuring him into things he didn’t want to do. And I counseled myself not take it personally…whatever it was.

The first day, James refused to come to the library where the group was meeting. The second week, when he again refused to come to the library, they suggested I go to the classroom to sit with him and his teacher. That worked well, except he didn’t acknowledge my presence. By the third week, James came to the library, but would not engage in conversation with me. He’d speak to everyone around me, but not to me. I bagged the activities the school-based coordinator had planned for us. Instead, James and I played games: Connect Four, Apples to Apples, UNO. Though I gradually learned some things about him (he’s the youngest of three, his parents are married, and he loves to play video games), I did most of the talking.  He alternated between ignoring me and rolling his eyes. 

One day, I pulled a dictionary off the shelf, randomly paging through it, stopping on words that caught my interest.  “You know, James, I believe that magenta is the greatest word in the English language.”  I waited a moment to see if he would take the bait. Nothing. “Magenta is one of those words that makes you happy just to say it: magenta. Try it with me. Magenta. Magenta, magenta, magenta.” He winced and shook his head slightly, as if to say this observation was so stupid, it barely warranted acknowledgment. 

I am nothing if not persistent. Every week for the rest of the school year, I managed to toss magenta into our mostly one-sided conversations. One day, however, I forgot. But James was paying attention. When he stood to go back to his classroom, he turned to me and asked, “Aren’t you going to say magenta?”

James is in high school now. He just completed the 10th grade and successfully passed all five parts of the Ohio Graduation Test the first time he sat for the test. James wants to be a computer programmer creating video games, and he plans to attend DeVry University after high school. I have every confidence he will achieve that goal.

I don’t tutor James. That’s not the purpose of our time together. We don’t talk about anything all that serious, nor do I make it a point to give him advice or guidance. In fact, most of the time, we simply play cards. But, we have a great relationship.

Early on, when the bell rang, James would call over his shoulder as he leaped out of his chair and headed back to class, “Goodbye forever.” But, it wasn’t forever.  In fact, I came back the next week.  And the next.  And the next after that. 

I can’t recall a day that James has missed, either. Indeed, this year, even though his birthday landed the same day as Project Mentor, he came to school that day—an impressive feat, considering his mother lets him stay home from school on his birthday. Our commitment to each other is reciprocal.

I encourage you to participate in Project Mentor. If you are a supervisor or a business owner, please allow your staff to get involved by giving them release time. Many more mentors are needed. 

It's easy.  It costs nothing but your time.  And you get so much out of it.  As do our kids, our schools, and our community.

Create Columbus Commission (Columbus' Young Professionals Commission)

By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

Did you know that Columbus has a Young Professionals Commission to serve as the “pulse” and sounding board on city quality of life issues? The Create Columbus Commission (Commission) is a volunteer working group that identifies strategies and tactics to better attract and retain young and talented individuals in Columbus. Commission members are appointed by Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Columbus City Council Member Andrew J. Ginther and Ty D. Marsh, President & CEO of the Columbus Chamber. As the Young Professionals Manager of the Columbus Chamber, I have the privilege to facilitate and support the work of this diverse group of young talent.

Yesterday, Mayor Coleman, Council Member Ginther, Ty Marsh and Alex Fischer, President & CEO of the Columbus Partnership, were invited to participate in a round table discussion at the Commission’s annual meeting. Also, six individuals were installed to serve on the Commission. I am pleased to welcome “veteran” Commission members as well as new members! The 25 individuals that currently serve on the Commission are (* denotes new Commission members installed on May 27, 2010):

• Lourdes Barroso de Padillia, Executive Director, City Year Columbus
• Robert Bickis, Jr., Real Estate Consultant/Broker, reSource Real Estate
• Amy Bishop, Advertising Manager, Dispatch Printing Co.
• *Benjamin Buckner, Enrollment Counselor, University of Phoenix
• Kacey Campbell (Co-Chair), Retail Recruiter, Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District
• Kate Christobek, Student at the Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University
• Travis Dent, Alternative Energy Resource Coordinator, American Electric Power
• Nicole L. Farrell (Co-Chair), Director of Development, Office of External Relations, Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University
• *Paul Haggard, Community Affairs and Diversity Director, Sterling Commerce, Inc.
• *Shannon Hardin, Policy Advisor, City of Columbus, Office of Mayor Michael B. Coleman
• Dawon Hawkins, Sr. Instructional Designer, EXPRESS
• Leigh Householder, Digital Brand Strategist, GSW Worldwide/Pink Tank
• Kareem Jackson, Co-owner, Milk Bar
• *Steve Michalovich, Communications Specialist, Nationwide Insurance
• Jon Myers, Co-Founder, JUFTi Games
• Yakima Nelson, Special Advisor, State of Ohio, Treasurer’s Office
• *Elisia Newsom, Recruiting Coordinator, Abercrombie & Fitch
• Ken Paul, Legislative Analyst, Columbus City Council
• Greg Schultz, State Director, Organizing for America
• *Nick Seguin, Principal, dynamIt and Principal, weBuild
• Dan Sharpe, Online Media Manager, The Columbus Foundation
• Oyango A. Snell, Attorney, Oyango A. Snell Law Firm LLC
• Mike Valo, Investment Officer, Huntington
• Josue Vicente, Executive Director, Ohio Hispanic Coalition
• TyKiah Wright, Executive Director, WrightChoice, Inc.

Background

In April of 2007, Rebecca Ryan of Next Generation Consulting recommended a work plan for Columbus that highlighted three strategies related to the young professionals demographic: “convince the convincibles; connect YPs to each other and to the City; and build a City that’s a Talent Magnet for Young Professionals.” Under the latter strategy, she recommended that “Mayor Coleman appoint a YP Commission – including transplants from large cities outside Ohio – to serve as his ‘pulse’ and sounding board on city quality of life issues.”

The YP Commission, now referred to as the Create Columbus Commission, was formed on May 24, 2007 by Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City of Columbus, City Council Member Kevin L. Boyce, City of Columbus, and Ty D. Marsh, President and CEO, Columbus Chamber.

The members of the Commission are defined as those who are “young” (e.g., 40 and younger) artists, entrepreneurs and professionals, and who are residents or employed in the Columbus metropolitan area. In addition, the Commission consists of individuals that are representative of the broad and diverse community of businesses, organizations and governments, as well as social, ethnic, and arts groups throughout the Columbus region.

The Commission is led by Co-Chairs, Kacey Campbell and Nicole Farrell. For more information on the Create Columbus Commission and its initiatives, please contact me or “like” the group's Facebook page.

Quality of Life: In the eye of the beholder

By Andrea Applegate, Director of Workforce Development

There’s much conversation these days about the great quality of life in the Columbus region and how it translates to economic development.  Did you catch 10TV’s “Central Ohio 2015: A Community Visioning Project” ? Perhaps you saw the article on ColumbusUnderground regarding the 12 Ideas Laid Out for Downtown 2010 Strategic Plan.  Maybe you were one of the 6,000 central Ohio residents who responded to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) survey,  Shaping our Future: the Regional Plan for Central Ohio, to share your opinion about what you think are our community’s assets and what you would like to see changed.  Indeed, my colleague, Robbie Banks, recently boasted that Columbus is a Terrific Place to be a Young Professional. 

I believe Columbus is a terrific place to be. Period.  We have the #1 zoo, the #1 library, and the #1 science museum right here in central Ohio.  Columbus recently played host to the Ohio Rugby Classic at Berliner Park. Columbus has a polo club, an active community of fans and supporters of the MLS Columbus Crew, and Walk! magazine rated the New Albany Walking Classic as “America’s Best Walking Event.”  Columbus’ own Jazz Arts Group was awarded a $200,000 grant by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to create a national model for building jazz and music audiences, entitled the Jazz Audiences Initiative.  How cool is that? 

Not all of these amenities directly appeal to me, but I am proud to live in a community with nationally ranked and recognized assets, a diverse array of clubs and interest groups, and arts and culture diversions of the highest caliber to stimulate the mind and nurture the soul. Oftentimes, when contemplating a move to (or from) a community, people have a list of criteria they expect to be present in their new hometown.  These attributes may be stated or unstated, and they are as personal and varied as the individuals themselves. Each of us seeks a particular quality of life.  Even though we may never take advantage, simply knowing those things are available if we wanted them is satisfaction enough.  I love that in Columbus you can live whatever kind of life you want to lead.  I look around at all the residential construction downtown.  Downtown living may not be for me at this stage of my life, but I’m grateful to see new residences being built because I know there are folks who do want to live downtown.  Now they can in Columbus, rather than moving to another city that will satisfy their interests.  Of course, in addition to being an “urban hipster” living in a downtown high rise, you can be a suburban soccer mom/dad, or you can live in a farmhouse out in the country.  In the Columbus region, we have the Best of Everything. 

So how does a broad and diverse quality of life positively impact economic development? How do bike lanes, farmers' markets and high-quality daycare impact our ability to attract and retain a workforce? When we offer a lifestyle and quality of life that appeals to a wide variety of people—artists, entrepreneurs, school teachers, physicians, business professionals, civic leaders, rodeo clowns, motorcycle cops, chemical engineers, etc.—we will have the people to work in those jobs, for those companies who create those products and/or conduct those services.  So, even if that club or show or building is not important to you, it’s likely important to someone else: a customer, client, employee—even a family member.  It’s likely important to someone else who is important to you.

Green Member Spotlight: Get-U-Connected and GreenPages

By Chaz Freutel

I started Get-U-Connected to help entrepreneurs get connected with the products, services, and professional connections they need to be successful. I am privileged to serve The Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (DEC), as the Site Manager and Events Administrator, and Marysville Entrepreneurial Center, to help attract entrepreneurs to the facility and provide small business resources.

Why you are a chamber member: The Columbus Chamber is the central resource in the Columbus region for economic development. In addition, it helps small employers to have a strong voice with their government representatives. The Columbus Chamber was the first organization my company joined!

Fun fact about your company: My first clients were realized through Columbus Chamber relationships.

Featured green product or service: Recently purchased the GreenPages business directory. This publication is the go-to resource for all that is green in the Columbus Region. The next edition will feature two new sections – 1. Local Community Green Initiatives; and 2. How To’s for both the homeowner and business looking to go green.

For more information, visit www.get-u-connected.com.

The Columbus Chamber member spotlights put the focus on our member organizations. In April 2010, we featured Green members in honor of Earth Day. To submit your member organization for a spotlight contact Michelle Bretscher.

Appreciation for Cultural Diversity in the Columbus Community

By Robbie Banks, Young Professionals Manager, Columbus Chamber

In my last post, I offered that our community's diversity is one reason that central Ohio is tops for young professionals. There are several local young professional and professional organizations that promote cultural awareness and celebrate diversity. I recently attended a young professionals’ event hosted by one such organization, the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Columbus. James Sun, a self-made millionaire, successful entrepreneur, national TV star, film producer, and a community activist, spoke candidly about his experiences on "The Apprentice" and gave advice on how to achieve success. I was particularly intrigued to attend this event as I am Asian-American myself, as well as a fan of "The Apprentice" and "The Celebrity Apprentice."

After attending this event, I am reminded to be alert to cultural tendencies to avoid unnecessary miscommunication or conflict when interacting with people from other cultures. I try to take advantage of opportunities to explore the wide variety of cultural opportunities in our diverse community and in the world so that I can be more aware of how we all act, react and interact with others. I hope you do the same.

 

Having said that, I can recall a time that I met an individual from another culture and was unsure how to greet, dine and conduct business with that individual. Can you? As the home of 27 colleges and universities and many global businesses, the Columbus community is rich with many cultures. If you are interested in developing your cultural understanding, then the Columbus Chamber's upcoming Young Professionals' Exchange on Wednesday, May 5 is the event for you! The topic is A World of Understanding: Cross-cultural Communication & Etiquette. This free event will be hosted at the spectacular Grange Insurance Audubon Center from 4-5:30 p.m. followed by networking at the Columbus Chamber's Business AfterHours (a Cinco de Mayo celebration) from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

 

Join us at this informative and interactive event to gain a better understanding of a few of the cultures that represent our community, learn some basic dos and don’ts, and network with other young professionals. All are welcome, so please invite your friends and colleagues. To attend this event, please register here. 

 

Green Member Spotlight: King Business Interiors

King Business Interiors is a family and woman-owned commercial furnishings and flooring company serving Greater Central Ohio.  The business was founded on the principle of delivering high quality customer service that exceeds clients' expectations.  At King, our team members draw upon their experiences and talents to bring the best workspace solutions to our clients. No matter your needs or special requests, we're certain you'll be pleased with the highest level of service our clients have come to expect from us. To differentiate our company from our competition we offer a program called “Connecting the Dots” to not only to help our customers but to support our community.

Why We are Chamber Members: It is the right thing to do! But beyond that . . . networking, meeting new people and trying to help other companies make connections for their businesses. We all do business with people we know and trust – the Chamber is a wonderful way to do just that, but you have to get involved.  Join a committee, jump in and help – be involved in what is happening in our city!

Fun fact about our company: King's motto for employees is "never miss a ballgame" and "kids come first." Flexible work schedules and alternative arrangements support a family-friendly approach to the business. A good balance in your life and work is important to being happy.  We all know a happy employee with a great attitude makes for happy customers!  Kids are always welcome in our business especially if they don’t have school or are home a little sick. They love to play Work!

Featured Green product or service: What do you do with your old office furniture? As long as it still has a useful life or could be restored to function in an office setting, used office furniture does have a home.  We help by understanding the needs, designing the space and offering reusable office furniture to nonprofit and charitable organizations in Central Ohio.   Through “Connecting the Dots,” a free and environmentally friendly program we can offer great solutions (we do charge for the delivery and installation if those services are required).

This program saves our clients money by eliminating furniture disposal costs, helps to keep durable materials from going to our local landfills, and provides much-needed resources to nonprofits so that they can serve the community. They can improve their office productivity and spend their money on the right people and programs to help our community.

For more information, visit kbiinc.com.

The Columbus Chamber member spotlights put the focus on our member organizations. In April 2010, we'll feature Green members in honor of Earth Day. To submit your member organization for a spotlight contact Michelle Bretscher.

Green Member Spotlight: Tipping Point Renewable Energy

Tipping Point Renewable Energy is the leader in clean energy solutions. We design, engineer and install solar and energy efficiency solutions for commercial, institutional and residential customers while creating good jobs for unemployed veterans in our area. We deliver maximum value to our customers and communities by providing low cost, high value solutions with unique approaches to financing and job creation.

Why We’re Chamber Members: Our purpose is to save our customers money while creating jobs for veterans in our communities. In order to make this work we need to connect our community and work together to solve the economic and environmental challenges we all face. The Chamber is an excellent vehicle to help us with those goals.

Fun Facts About Tipping Point Renewable Energy: Our Chief Technical Office Darin Hadinger spent years working in the belly of coal fired power plants. He is very happy to be working on clean energy now and breathing easier. Our CEO, Eric Zimmer continues his fruitless search to train his dogs to do sales calls.

Featured Product/Service: 50 kw solar system- This system today has tremendous value. It can be installed on less than 5000 sq ft and has a payback of under three years. It has a positive cash flow of $140,000 over 10 years, and the system has a 25 year warranty. Your current utility bills will never put money in your pocket. Solar is a way to make money for your company, limit your exposure to rising utility bills and show yourself as a leader in the community.

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

The Columbus Chamber member spotlights put the focus on our member organizations. In April 2010, we'll feature Green members in honor of Earth Day. To submit your member organization for a spotlight contact Michelle Bretscher.

Green Member Spotlight: Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP

About Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP: Hahn Loeser is a full-service law firm that, for 90 years, has provided sophisticated and creative counsel to a wide spectrum of clients. Those clients include Fortune 500 corporations and privately-held businesses, non-profit institutions, governmental entities and individuals. Hahn Loeser has a dominant presence in Ohio, with offices in Columbus, Cleveland and Akron. We also have a growing practice in Southwest Florida, with teams located in Naples and Fort Myers, and an office in Indianapolis, Indiana. We routinely serve as regional and Ohio counsel on litigation and commercial transactions for a wide variety of matters, in additional to handling a number of national and international transactions.

Why We’re Chamber Members: Hahn Loeser has been a member of the Columbus business community for over 20 years. We share the Chamber’s mission to support economic growth in the Greater Columbus area, assisting start-up companies and representing universities, research institutions, and Fortune 500 companies in technology transactions. Our firm is committed to building the capacity for growth in the region, and in turn, attracting new companies and jobs to Central Ohio. 

Fun Fact: Doug Morgan, a Hahn Loeser partner and chair of the Chamber’s Green Council, is well-known as a leader of the "pedaling revolution" in Central Ohio. He bicycles to work every day and in addition to his work on the board of Consider Biking (Central Ohio's bicycle advocacy group), he is frequently invited to speak on how active transportation can transform communities and improve personal, environmental and community health.

Featured Green Service: While law firms generally do not pose as large a threat to our environment as some other industries, they do face their own unique challenges; for example, the legal industry is second only to the publishing industry in its consumption of paper. Hahn Loeser recognizes our impact and understands the importance of treading lightly, which is why we created a Green Committee several years ago. The committee has been instrumental in helping our firm find that critical balance in our operations where we are able to reduce the firm's "footprint” while continuing to provide our clients with the best possible service. In 2009, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association recognized these efforts by designating Hahn Loeser as "Green Certified." For more information, visit www.hahnlaw.com.

The Columbus Chamber member spotlights put the focus on member organizations, their presence in the Columbus region, what they do, and how they’ve involved at the Chamber. In April 2010, we'll be featuring Green members, in honor of Earth Day. To submit your member organization for a spotlight contact Michelle Bretscher.