Highland County Commissioners David Daniels, Brad Roades and Terry Britton welcomed representatives from the Highland County Chamber of Commerce and Grow! Highland County at their meeting on Wednesday, October 30, as commissioners proclaimed November 30 as Small Business Saturday and encouraged the community to support local businesses throughout the month of November and beyond.

Staff members, board members and ambassadors from one or both organizations (which overlap in many cases) and/or representatives of local small businesses accepted the proclamation. Attendees included Jamie Wheeler, president of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, and Grow! Heather Noland, Highland County Business Facilitator, with Kim Boyer, Haylee Brown, Amanda Hall, Heather Hughes, Mallori Johansen, Addy Knauff, Amanda Knauff, Robert Moots, Katy Jo Roades and Rachelle Trefz.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our world and our region, and we value small businesses,” Wheeler told commissioners. “November is Small Business Month, although every month is Small Business Month. We encourage everyone to support local.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, “Saturday, November 30, is Small Business Saturday – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all that they do for their communities. This year, we know that small businesses need our support more than ever to navigate, retool, and adapt to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Please join the SBA and organizations across the country in supporting your local small businesses by shopping at a small business.

“Founded by American Express in 2010 and officially co-sponsored by SBA since 2011, Small Business Saturday has become an important part of small business’s busiest shopping season. Historically, projected spending reported by U.S. consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Saturdays for small businesses reached approximately $17.9 billion, according to the 2022 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey commissioned by American Express.

On a related topic, Wheeler told commissioners that beginning Nov. 4 and running through Dec. 20, the Chamber will relaunch its successful “Moose on the Loose” social media campaign, which began last year. Local businesses take turns hosting stuffed “Marvin the Moose” for a day and can post about his visit on social media and/or plan activities specifically for Marvin’s visit.

“Chamber members signed up to host it, and this year we’re doing it a little differently,” Wheeler said. “There will be a passport that community members can obtain and have stamped. If you get it stamped 10 times, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a basket of prizes that will be worth well over a few hundred dollars. It’s just a way to encourage everyone to support our local businesses.

“Marvin is going to go a lot of places, I think. Last year he did a lot of miles so we got him stitched up and ready to go.

To follow Marvin’s travels in 2024, Wheeler advised checking the Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page, which will announce his location each day.

“It’s up to that company to kind of interact with Marvin, or maybe some of them will have specials, and they’ll do behind the scenes what’s going on in their company,” Wheeler said . “In the last year, he has learned a lot, undergone many health examinations at our local doctors’ offices and hospitals and has had X-rays several times. It’s an adventure to watch.

Separately, Wheeler said the Chamber is “almost done” with its events for 2024, which included hosting the inaugural STEEL (Strengthening Together Experienced and Emerging Leaders) conference on Oct. 22. Daniels said he has heard “nothing but good” things about the Chamber. event.

“It’s time to start planning for 2025, which will mark the 35th anniversary of the Chamber,” Wheeler said.

After hearing from local business representatives, Daniels read the county’s proclamation designating Nov. 30 as Small Business Saturday and encouraging the community “to join the Highland County Small Business Association and organizations in supporting your small local businesses by shopping at a small business.

“We urge all citizens to join us and support small businesses,” Daniels read from the proclamation. “Together, let’s recognize the invaluable contributions of our small businesses and their commitment to strengthening our local economy.

Separately, Highland County Economic Development Director Julie Bolender introduced commissioners Wednesday to Heith Brown, who has been named Director of Workforce Development (formerly known as Director of ACCESS) .

As previously reported, according to former Superintendent Tim Dettwiller, the goal of Highland County’s Alignment of Community Connections for Employer and Student Success (ACCESS) program is to enable “Highland County schools, businesses and community agencies” to ‘have open communication and promote incentivized learning; students who graduate with professional exposure and experience leading them to informed career choices after graduation; businesses connecting with potential future employees; and community partners provide clarity, leading to better use of their resources by schools and businesses.

Dettwiller resigned earlier this year after being named superintendent of Wilmington city schools.

Brown joins the Highland County ACCESS/Workforce Development program from Hillsboro Christian Academy, where he was employed as a math teacher. He is also an assistant football coach at Hillsboro High School. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and will pursue a master’s degree in higher education.

“I’m very excited,” Brown told commissioners. “I decided to leave teaching when this position opened up because I can somehow help kids across the county, not just a select few at Hillsboro Christian Academy.

“Right now we’re putting together a big picture so I can have a good understanding of all the partners we can use in this aspect. Obviously, I really appreciate the support from your guys as we move forward with this endeavor.

Although the job title has changed, the tasks remain the same, according to Bolender.

“He’s going to work with our local employers as well as students,” Bolender said. “We also have the opportunity to work with residents who are no longer in high school at OhioMeansJobs.

“It also gives us a great opportunity to engage adults in workforce development programs, get them involved in internships and things like that. We are delighted to have Heith.

Bolender said after meeting with commissioners Wednesday, Brown was going to visit several area school superintendents. In the coming weeks, Bolender said local industries should also expect to hear from Brown.

“Heith will contact you to gauge your interest in participating, as a host site,” Bolender said. “For high school families, when they say, ‘Mr. Brown has an opportunity, we really encourage you to allow your students to participate and explore what their future might hold for them.

Bolender added that they are also working on planning events to highlight certain sectors, particularly healthcare and agriculture, as last year they held a “making day” allowing students to explore local industries.

“I think you will look forward to seeing an expansion of opportunities available to students,” Bolender said. “There are so many opportunities here in Highland County, and we just want to shine a light on them.”

On another note related to workforce development, Bolender said that after two successful phlebotomy classes for high school students at the Workforce Development Center in Greenfield, they are now considering opening the program to others residents of Highland County.

“We have received many inquiries,” Bolender said. “We sent some of them to South State, because maybe their goals were a little different, but I think we’re going to be able to run a night class in Greenfield.”

The commissioners thanked Bolender and Brown for the update and welcomed Brown to his new role.

“It’s good to see you guys coming here, and I hope you continue to be excited,” Roades said. “It’s a program that has seen a lot of progress over the last two years.”

Check back to highlandcountypress.com for more on Wednesday’s meeting.

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