County chamber unveils Business Resource Center
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STEUBENVILLE -- The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce has put its former reception space to work as a one-stop business resource center, formally developed a business incubator program and will be welcoming local students interested in business to apply to be interns.
The chamber Business Resource Center in the chamber offices at No. 4, 630 Market St. is intended as the place for first contact for businesses planning to open in Jefferson County. It includes information and contact details for services and agencies to bring together in one place details a prospective business owner or someone seeking to relocate a business to Jefferson County will need.
The center will house a wealth of information from many resources, including the Ohio Secretary of State's office, the Ohio Small Business Development Center and the federal government, as well as contact information for every city, village and township in Jefferson County.
Anyone considering business ownership in Jefferson County is welcome to use the center, said Tricia Maple-Damewood, chamber president.
"We want anyone interested in opening or bringing their business here to have their first contact with our county to be an extremely good one," Maple-Damewood said. "It makes sense for the chamber to be that first contact. We don't want to tell somebody, 'I'm sorry but we don't have that information.'"
With that in mind, the resource center includes:
¯ City, village and township directories with demographic data and contact information.
¯ A laptop with federal, state and local resources and websites bookmarked.
¯ Hard copy resources including maps, property listings, contact information, small business checklists and small business resources.
¯ High-speed Internet and WiFi service.
¯ Audiovisual and presentation equipment, including a projector, whiteboard, screen, laptop and podium.
¯ A color copier and scanner.
¯ Use of office equipment, including a postage machine, fax, laminator, speaker, microphone and laptop. There also is complimentary coffee and bottled water.
"That first point of contact is critical. If the person is frustrated or mad or if you just hand them a bunch more work to do, then we can lose them forever," she said. "I want that first contact to be us, even if five minutes later they are calling Steubenville or Toronto or Adena or Richmond or whatever. I want that first contact to be, 'Welcome. We're so glad you're thinking of us. Here's everything you need.'"
She said the Ohio Secretary of State's office has been an immense help in providing state information, including multiple pamphlets on a host of business information. An intern spent a week calling various phone numbers to be sure contact information provided by the center are accurate.
TS Electric of Richmond handled electrical work and new lighting serving the business center along with donations from building owner Capital Recovery Systems and Craig Klein, Maple-Damewood said. She said New York Life agent John Cucarese provided the copier-scanner and fax, and various office supplies are from Borden Office Equipment and Jerry Simpson.
Business incubator
To serve start-up businesses, the chamber has gathered many of its longstanding resources and formally has formed a business incubator program. The incubator will provide space to help accelerate the successful development of a start-up or fledgling business by providing resources they might not otherwise be able to afford while launching on their own.
Full- and part-time rental space and flexible leases, along with a list of amenities and support services are available to assist new and growing companies with the potential of them becoming stand-alone businesses in the future.
Businesses that have been in operation for less than five years or that have undergone substantial changes in ownership, products or services, are eligible to apply. So are home-based businesses. Fees and costs will vary by client. There is a minimal application fee. Rent and other services will be determined on a case-by-case basis and square footage needs. Rules and policies are set by the chamber, including hours of operation, conduct and use of chamber property.
Services include:
¯ Weekday mail service by the U.S. Postal Service.
¯ Full kitchen and break room.
¯ Boardroom and coffee station use.
¯ High-speed Internet and WiFi.
¯ Audiovisual and presentation equipment.
¯ Color copier and scanner.
¯ Administrative and marketing support, data entry and other services through the chamber's intern office.
¯ Use of office equipment.
Incubator clients who are eligible receive a complimentary membership in the Chamber Young Professionals organization and for chamber events, including Coffee and Connections. Chamber membership is strongly encouraged and payable in semi-annual or quarterly payments.
Intern Office
The chamber Intern Office, located in the chamber's suites at 630 Market St., creates an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors and college students to become involved firsthand in the local business community while receiving class credit or paid compensation. The interns benefit the chamber's members via the service they provide and the insight, inputs and ideas they bring with them. The work includes administrative, marketing and other duties for the chamber and other local businesses.
Interns get to build a network of important local contacts, shadow business owners and more.
Interested students apply by completing and returning an application to the chamber. Schools may recommend students based on criteria including grade-point average, current class credits, work history and future school or career plans. Students who want to become entrepreneurs or who want to major in a business-related field are encouraged to apply.
Four hours a month are to be logged on various chamber projects such as layout and design, writing, special events, social media marketing, website maintenance, research, data entry, answering phones, member contacts and other daily office duties. Hours may be logged remotely or off-site with prior approval.
Similar paid projects also may be available from the job board by the chamber or member businesses or organizations.
Participants under age 18 need parental or guardian permission.
Interns receive complimentary membership in the chamber Young Professionals and may have the opportunity to work at various chamber events.
(Giannamore can be contacted at pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)