The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is a membership driven business organization that represents the business community of Highland County. The many plans and programs the Chamber offers its investors, combined with county workforce development initiatives, and local, state, and federal legislative/advocacy efforts positions the Chamber of Commerce as a lead organization in Highland County.

If you are a current investor in the Chamber, thank you for your support. If you are considering membership, please use this website to acquaint yourself with the many benefits you will receive as a investor in the Highland County Chamber of Commerce.

If you visit our site as a consumer, traveler or other interested party, please visit the News/Events and Membership tabs and see what the member businesses of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce can do for you!

Katy Farber is the President of the Chamber and is dedicated to developing plans and programs that will enable all members of the Highland County business community grow and better meet the needs of their respective organizations. Ruth Cutright is the Administrative Assistant at the Highland County Chamber of Commerce. Ruth's past experience and "can do" attitude are a valuable asset to the Chamber.

The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 - 4:30, excluding holidays. We're located at 1575 North High Street in Hillsboro and invite anyone to stop in to learn more about how the Highland County Chamber of Commerce can help your business. Call (937) 393-1111 for information or to reach Katy or Ruth.

The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is governed by a Board of Directors who come from different business backgrounds and geographical parts of the county.

The 2012 Board of Directors

 
 
 


Board Chair

Amanda Bledsoe
Crowe Financial Group
128 N. High Street
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

Chair Elect
Brad Elmore
Elmore Management Group
9589 U.S. Rte 50
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

Vice Chair
Jim Baer
Highland District Hospital
1275 N. High Street
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

Past Chair
Blain Bergstrom
Merchants National Bank
P.O. Box 299
Greenfield, Ohio 45123

President
Katy Farber
1575 N High St Suite 400
Hillsboro, OH 45133

Treasurer
Dr. Lawrence Dukes
111 Meadow Lane
Hillsboro, OH 45133

Highland County CVB
Bob Lambert
1575 N. High Street
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

Educational Liaison
Kevin Boys
Southern State Comm. College
100 Hobart Drive
Hillsboro, Oh 45133


Bill Smith

Weastec, Inc.
1600 N. High Street
Hillsboro, OH 45133

Brad Markwood
South Central Power Co.

2780 Coonpath Road
Lancaster, Ohio 43130

Eric Zint
Corner Pharmacy, LLC

259 Jefferson St.
Greenfield, OH 45123

Heather Cummings
NCB

139 South High Street
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

Jeff Dickey
Dickey Group Realtors, Inc.

8990 St. Rt. 785
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

Marta Cox
Leesburg Federal Savings Bank

135 N. Washington St.
Greenfield, Ohio 45123

Steve Roush
The Times Gazette

108 Governor Trimble Place, Ste. 101
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

Steve Thompson
Thompson Funeral Home

241 E. Main Street
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133

Terry Mull, Executive Director
Highland County Family YMCA

201 Diamond Drive
Hillsboro, OH 45133

Chamber Plans & Programs

Your investment in the Highland County Chamber of Commerce comes with a number of exciting plans and programs, all designed to support your business and the economic strength of Highland County.
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Insurance Programs - Through our affiliation with the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA) Chamber members can utilize insurance programs from Anthem; United Healthcare; Superior Dental Care; and Select Benefits Vision, Hearing and Prescription Plans.  Auto Owners Insurance plans are also available. For specific information on how your business or organization can utilize these valuable benefits, refer to the Member - Benefit Options sheet in this folder. The reverse side of that sheet lists local Chamber members who can assist you in building a strong benefits package for your business.

Workers Compensation - Comprehensive consulting and claims administration through Hunter Consulting Company. Workers Compensation issues can be complex no matter what size business or organization you have. Our partnership with Hunter Consulting provides you with a resource to answer questions regarding group rating plans (to lower your premiums) and specific issues you may have. Visit the website at www.hunterconsulting.com or call 1-800-486-6652 to find out about this valuable program.

HFC Safety Council - A joint venture of the Highland, Fayette, and Clinton County Chambers and BWC (Bureau of Workers Compensation) the HFC Safety Council encourages workplace safety while offering additional savings on Worker's Compensation. Members attend monthly HFC Safety Council meetings which feature presentations regarding various safety issues in the workplace. Upon meeting BWC eligibility requirements, companies can earn up to 4% discounts on their Worker's Compensation premiums. Enrollment in HFC Safety Council is required. For details and more information regarding HFC Safety Council visit www.hfcsafetycouncil.com or call the Chamber at (937) 393-1111.

Networking Opportunities - Opportunities to meet and network with fellow Chamber investors at Business After Hours, Business At Lunch, Annual Legislative Forum, Annual Dinner, Golf Outing and other Chamber sponsored events. The networking opportunities provided by the Highland County Chamber of Commerce offer your business or organization the chance to be with other businesses who belong to the Chamber. These events are both informative and social in nature and are designed to widen your circle of business contracts, resources and potential customers.

News You Can Use - Monthly newsletters, website, county newspaper and radio coverage keep you informed. Your investment in the Highland County Chamber of Commerce not only offers your business or organization exposure to potential customers but provides you with vehicles to keep currant with news and issues important to Highland County business and industry. You will receive a monthly copy of The Chamber Newsline - our newsletter. Our website, www.highlandcountychamber.com keeps the Chamber open 24-7 to both you and prospective customers. By using the on-line membership directory visitors can know what your business can do for them. Our monthly "Chamber Page" in the Times Gazette lets readers know that you are a member of the Chamber and gives your business added public recognition.   

Marketing Assistance - Let the Chamber help you promote your business through the use of proven marketing techniques and resources. The Highland County Chamber of Commerce offers members the opportunity to advertise with inserts in the monthly newsletter ($50) and banner advertising on the Chamber website, www.highlandcountychamber.com (rates dependent upon size).

Additionally, the Chamber works closely with the Small Business Development Center/ OSU South Centers to provide you with specific workshops and one-on-one counseling to improve your marketing program's effectiveness. Call the Chamber office for details and more information.

Mailing Lists and Labels - Members may access Chamber database for special promotions and marketing. Investors in the Chamber are entitled to a membership listing and a copy of mailing labels to utilize for their own mailings to fellow Chamber members. We do not sell this list to outside sources - this is a membership only benefit.

Business and Industry Advocacy - Annual Legislative Forum and Luncheon, strong ties with state legislators and support from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce keep you informed on legislative issues that impact your business. Special legislative updates in each month's newsletter, The Chamber News Line along with special e-mail alerts keep you updated and call for action when legislative issues affect the business community. On the local level, the Chamber maintains relationships with county and local officials to monitor the business climate in Highland County.

Special Events for Your Business - Grand Opening, Ribbon Cuttings, Chamber "Red Coats" will help publicize and celebrate your special event. Your Chamber investment includes assistance in promoting your special events - all you have to do is ask. The Chamber staff and volunteer ambassadors, the "Red Coats" bring attention and support in recognition of your efforts.

Referral Services - People call the Chamber office looking for specific products and services.  Open your business door by being a Chamber member referral. Not only does the Chamber get many calls for business referrals, but the website, www.highlandcountychamber.com is available 24/7 with the Membership Directory, listing your company and the goods and services you provide. Your website is automatically linked to the Chamber's allowing prospective customers access to your business with a simple click of the button.

Buy Local Support - Through county-wide advertising the Chamber supports buying and doing business locally to increase the economic impact and growth of Highland county. The "Buy and Do Business Locally - It Does Matter to Highland County" message is spread throughout the county using various media including billboards, radio, print, and website presence.


The Highland County Chamber of Commerce sponsors numerous plans and programs designed to meet the needs of business:

  • Business After Hours/Third Thursdays

     

     

The Business After Hours program is a networking opportunity designed to bring business people together.  Beginning in January and held every other month,  Business After Hours takes place throughout the county and is hosted by individual businesses. The hours are 5-7 p.m., and light refreshments are served.  Pack up your business cards, a firm handshake, and come and meet your fellow business Chamber partners.

Why should I choose the Chamber's Workers' Compensation Group Rating Program?

  • Competitive premium discounts with multiple tier structures designed to assure each participant maximum savings.

  • Representation at BWC hearings pertaining to all claims matters by a workers' compensation lawyer at no extra cost.

  • Includes expert settlement and handicap reviews and proceedings.

  • Professional guidance with BWC audits.

  • Annual safety seminars by Gary Hanson,American Safety & Health Management Consultants.

  • Automatic inclusion into the exclusive Defense Fund Program. This program is designed to help your company defray the costs to fight fraudulent claims by up to $1,150.00 a year.

  • Defense Fund Program Example: A company has an injured worker and doesn't agree with the diagnosis given by the employee's physician. The company can get a second opinion by ordering an IME (Independent Medical Exam). Let's say the cost of an IME is $500.00 and is the sole responsibility of the company. Under the Defense Fund Program, the company would pay the cost of the IME and submit documentation of payment to Hunter Consulting Company. SOCA will then reimburse the employer 50% of the cost of the IME saving the company $250! A successful defense fund action not only reduces your claims cost but may be the catalyst for your company's continued participation in the group rating program for years to come.

  • All this at an exceptionally competitive administrative fee


Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance
Website


Information & Referral Services

  • Gather & Distribute:
  • Employer Data
  • Statistics
  • Demographics
  • Legislative Issues
  • Travel & Tourism Info

Benefits

  • BWC Group Discount
  • Dental Insurance
  • Health Insurance Discount
  • Discount Credit Card Processing
  • Meeting Rooms Available
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Eye Care Insurance
  • Drug Discount Card

Marketing Opportunities

  • Chamber Events
  • Monthly Newsletter
  • Web Site
  • Publications
  • Ribbon Cuttings
  • Grand Opening Events
  • Referral Resource

Education & Training

  • Host Seminars
  • HFC Safety Council
  • Manufacturing Council
  • Health Care Consortium
  • Education Liaison
  • Turning Point Partner

 

 

 

 



Did You Know?

Included with your Chamber membership the following SOCA benefits may be offered to you and your employees:

  • Healthcare Benefits- Discounted premiums through Anthem BC/BS or United Healthcare
  • Dental Care Program- With Superior Dental Care
  • Vision Discount Plan with EyeMed Access Plan D
  • Prescription Drug Discount Card Free
  • Hearing Aid Discount Program Free
  • Workers Compensation Group Program with Hunter Consulting Company
  • Managed Care Organization with Cor Vel
For More Information Visit JoinSoca.Com

 

1575 N High Suite 400
Hillsboro, OH 45133

(937) 393-1111

 
 
 
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