The Lorain County Chamber of Commerce is proud to be a founding member of the Lorain County Growth Partnership, the economic development collaboration between the Lorain County Commissioners, the Lorain County Community College, Team Lorain County, Lorain County Joint Vocational School and the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce.

In this day and age no one organization can accomplish all that is required to be a quality economic development group. The need to bring diverse resources together collectively is an important ingredient for a 21st Century economic development model. The Lorain County Growth Partnership does just that.

From pulling staff together from multiple organizations to develop an incumbent worker training model - Project TEN, to having the five organizations collaborate with money and resources to create a single economic development database - Business Connection, for the use of its partners, has demonstrated that the Lorain County Growth Partnership is beginning to hit its stride as a premier economic development platform in Northeast Ohio.

The Lorain County Growth Partnership has also created REAL Teams, custom designed teams that support individual economic development projects throughout Lorain County with resources and leadership from partner organizations. We use the REAL Team model to manage attraction and retention opportunities.

The Lorain County Growth Partnership will continue to provide leadership and resources to the economic development process in Lorain County. When you see that the Lorain County Growth Partnership is involved in a new collaboration remember that the Partnership is the Lorain County Chamber, the Lorain County Commissioners, the Lorain County Community College, Team Lorain County and the Lorain County JVS and that together our resources and leadership will have a positive impact on Lorain County’s future.
 

Remember to Vote by November 3. The Lorain County Chamber supports voting Yes for State Issue 2, County Issue 4 and Lorain City Issue 31 for the Port Authority.

At their October 21 meeting, the Lorain County Safety Council provided checks to 158 area companies totaling $418,680.12. These monies were distributed to companies who actively participated in the Safety Council programming during the fiscal 2008-2009 year and does not include additional rebate money that might be earned from companies for lowering or keeping their incidence rate at zero. The Lorain County Safety Council again ranks second in the Northeast Ohio area for money rebated and participation from our area companies. While changes have occurred for eligibility requirements for this fiscal year, many or our members remain committed to the purpose of providing our members with a forum to share occupational safety information on maintaining a safe and profitable work environment.

Join us on Tuesday, November 10 at 4:30 for the Lorain County JVS Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Adult Career Center's Medical Technology Lab.  Immediately following will be the County Chambers Business After Hours beginning at 5:00pm. 

The upcoming Business After Hours will be hosted by the Lorain County JVS. The award-winning, nationally-acclaimed JVS Culinary Academy will be preparing the food for the event. Choices will include a variety of heavy appetizers, a carving station as well as delectable desserts from the Bakery and Pastry Arts Program.

Students in the Culinary Academy are trained in all aspects of the culinary industry. The students operate the Buckeye Room Restaurant and the Bakery Café. They compete in regional, state and national industry competitions and won over $500,000 in scholarships last year

The Lorain County Chamber is pleased to partner with Ed Skimin and the people behind Emerge, Inc and LorainCounty.com to present Credibility Conversation, a speakers series focused on trust, authenticity, transparency, relationships, engagement, community and social media. The series will focus on how to build personal and business value through emerging social media , such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Slated to present on November 11 is Lewis Howes, Author of LinkedWorkiing: Generating Success on LinkedIn, the Worlds’ Largest Professional Networking Website . Joining him on November 11 will also be Shawn Morton, Director of Social Media at Nationwide Insurance, previously employed CNET Networks focused on large-scale community and social media initiatives. We will highlight the December 9 and January 13 breakfast series in our upcoming e-Newsletters.

Discounts are available for early registration and for also attending the December and January events. Go to www.credibilityconversation.com for more information and to sign up today.

Please Use Proper PPE
Protect yourself from hazards

OSHA has determined that the hazards addressed by personal protective equipment (PPE) are present in all workplaces. That’s why you need to use required PPE.

Safety eyewear protects your eyes from flying materials, dust, fumes, or light.
Gloves, clothing, and footwear protect you from heat, cuts, chemicals, etc.
Hard hats protect your head from blows, punctures, electric shock, and burns.
Ear protectors prevent hearing damage.
Respirators protect against inhaling dangerous substances.

When you’re assigned PPE:
• Inspect it before each use—and don’t use it if it’s damaged. Replace it or have it repaired.
• Get a good fit. If it doesn't fit properly, it won’t protect you properly.
• Use it all the time to protect yourself from injury and illness. Workplace hazards are always present—even when you least expect them.
• Follow instructions for PPE removal, storage, cleaning, and disposal.

When you receive this email, it will be 4 weeks to the day from Thanksgiving! As many of you know the highlight of the Holiday Season and the party that usually kicks it off is the Lorain County Chamber’s Holiday Reception. This year, it is scheduled for December 3 and it will again this year be held at DeLuca’s Place in the Park from 4-7 p.m. We are asking our Chamber Members to help sponsor the event to help us provide a first class holiday party again this year. If you would like to be sponsor, the cost is $250 and it provides you with 2 tickets to the event. Your name will go out on the invitation and you will be thanked on signage and on the microphone during the evening. Please contact Tony Gallo today if you are interested in sponsoring. Thank you to all of our Station Sponsors for the 2009 Holiday Reception as well: Community Health Partners, Emerge/LorainCounty.com, US Bank, 1-888-OHIOCOMP, LCCC and First Place Bank.