Networking helps contribute to professional development, builds and strengthens relationships, all while allowing you to connect with new resources. Regularly attending networking events and connecting with the community will be extremely beneficial to you as you work on growing your business. Here are some ways networking will help your business flourish:
 
1. New Connections
By networking and attending events within the community, you can build professional, long-lasting relationships and make connections that will add value to you and your business. These relationships can aid you when times are tough, or they can even just be familiar faces that you see on a regular basis. The Chamber hosts regular networking events, including our First Thursday Coffee each month at various coffee shops around Logan County.

2. New Resources
Your new connections that you make can help you gain new perspectives, while also providing you with new knowledge. By bouncing ideas off one another, businesses can help each other grow by sharing their expertise. Our quarterly Member Meet & Greets are a great way to get to know other business owners and leaders who can aid you in ways you might not have known about!

3. Be More Visible
Networking will ultimately lead to more visibility. Making it known that you are out in the community and representing your business will make more people knowledgeable of you and your business. When people are looking for a product or service, you want to be the first one to come to mind!

4. Positive Image
Regularly attending professional events will show that you are involved and willing to make an appearance in the community. This creates a positive image for not only you but also your business!

5. Increased Opportunities
Your involvement and connections will give you more opportunities. You may be offered certain job advice, and new doors may open up after networking. This is especially true for our Young Professionals events held throughout the year.
 
What are some ways you can network within the community?
There are endless ways that you can network within the community. This could be grabbing coffee with a neighboring business, popping into a new store to introduce yourself, or even simply connecting with a business via social media or email. Keeping up to date with events in Logan County is a great way to network. Getting involved – and staying involved – will allow you and your business grow.
 
Stay up to Date with all of the Chamber’s networking opportunities!
https://members.logancountyohio.com/events
​​

Key Points
Importance of Safety Training

• Regulatory Compliance: Meeting OSHA and other regulatory standards.
• Employee Safety: Reducing workplace injuries by ensuring employees understand safety protocols.

Training Evaluation and Content

• Continuous Evaluation: Conduct evaluations for each class to identify missing objectives and ensure content relevance.
• Defined Objectives: Each training session should have clear objectives and measurable outcomes.

Role of Effective Trainers

• Trainer Selection: Choose trainers with the right skill set; not everyone can train effectively.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure the quality of the class and learning objectives throughout the training process.

Levels of Training

• Awareness: Basic understanding of hazards.
• Competency: Ability to perform tasks safely.
• Qualified Level: Advanced understanding and skills.
• Certification: Formal recognition of skills and knowledge.

Planning and Resources

• Proper Budget: Allocate sufficient resources for effective training.
• Content and Schedule: Plan the training content and schedule according to business needs and regulatory requirements.
• Location and Frequency: Consider the best location and frequency of training sessions to maximize participation and effectiveness.

Regulatory Requirements and Industry Standards

• OSHA Requirements: Follow the minimum standards set by OSHA.
• Industry-Specific Risks and History: Tailor training programs based on industry-specific risks and historical injury trends.
• Consensus Standards: Use industry standards prudently to enhance safety protocols.

Continuous Improvement

• Real-time Feedback: Use class surveys to evaluate and improve training programs continuously.
• Attendance Tracking: Monitor attendance and adjust the number of classes to avoid underutilization.
• Training Matrix: Develop a matrix to track who needs what training, when, and the frequency of refreshers.

Transparency and Communication

• Employee Awareness: Ensure employees know their training schedules and content.
• Transparent System: Maintain a transparent system for tracking training and compliance.

Employing these strategies will lead to more effective safety training programs, ultimately enhancing workplace safety and compliance.

For over seven decades, Lakeside Pro Bass Shop and Mini Golf has been a cherished establishment in Logan County. Founded 76 years ago as Lakeside Landing by Gertrude and Jesse Pittard, this family-owned business has evolved into a beloved community hub for fishing enthusiasts and families alike.
​

​How much do you know about Safety training requirements per OSHA? I am not discussing best practices or what you do at your company. Just the basics! OSHA is the regulatory requirement, or the bar if you will. That means you can do the bare minimum to meet the standards. It is the baseline that you must meet under regulations. (it is step one of program management). Step two: This is where Consensus standards may be applied, including industry or equipment specific guidance. The Types of standards that apply may be A-B1, B2, or C Type standards. Some of them may be referenced by OSHA, making them more enforceable. So, you must understand their application.

SERVPRO of Central Auglaize, Hardin & Logan Counties is a well-known leader in water, fire and mold mitigation/restoration and has been a much-needed asset in our community since 2021. The franchise has been active in the Logan County area since the early 1990s, with national headquarters that began in 1969 in Gallatin, Tennessee.
​
Scott Huffman, SERVPRO Owner & GM, took over the franchise from Rich and Leah Cottrill, whom Scott was the Operations Manager for. Scott owes thanks and inspiration to the Cottrills for helping him realize his dream of franchise ownership and continuing the SERVPRO legacy of exceptional restoration services. Scott is joined by his wife, Andrea, who is the Marketing/Social Media Director and their team of Connor Macy, Mitigation Supervisor and Terrance Downey II, Mitigation Technician.
​

Did you know?! All estimates for Logan County residents are free of charge! SERVPRO maintains a community-centric approach in a few different ways. The company supports many local entities, such as the Parks Department, and has donated fans to the Logan County Fair to use in the horse barns. They are honored to positively give back to the community when asked! The SERVPRO team also strives to make sure homeowners and property owners are well informed by reminding them to check their insurance documents and ensure that their most valuable assets are covered properly if or when situations may happen. By being Chamber members, the team enjoys the opportunity to meet with other business owners and gain priceless knowledge by networking with each of the great businesses in our community.
​

Submitted by Kevin Russell, founder and owner of A Safer Way
Do you understand the requirements to utilize the minor servicing exemption in OSHA 1910.147?
Information regarding OSHA Minor Servicing while working in General Industry. 
​
The OSHA standard states:
1910.147(a)(2)(ii)(B)An employee is required to place any part of their body into an area on a machine or piece of equipment where work is performed upon the material being processed (point of operation) or where an associated danger zone exists during a machine operating cycle. ​

​One-Eyed Cookie Lab, nestled in Downtown Bellefontaine, has a delicious history rooted in a long love of cookies. Owner Jennifer Born Rachek says she has been obsessed with cookies since she was a little girl. Her passion traces back to the fond memories of her grandmother’s exceptional baking skills and Jennifer always dreamed of being able to create baked goods of the same caliber. The dream of recreating those delectable treats became a reality during the COVID era, which brought less of a commute, and she was able to spend more time in her “Cookie Lab.”

​Beginning with online preorders, One-Eyed Cookie Lab quickly expanded to being a vendor at the Logan County Farmer’s Market. Jennifer met other bakers there and is thankful for their help and inspiration in her startup. Her love for the Farmer’s Market grew even more after becoming a vendor when she saw how friendly and supportive everyone – from the customers to the vendors to the market management – was. The Farmer’s Market also led to many other new friendships with a plethora of information and ideas and was a step towards getting their first wholesale account with Native Coffee. Eventually, One-Eyed Cookie Lab found its permanent home in Downtown Bellefontaine, where they are located at 118 East Court Avenue. If you are craving some of their ¼ pound cookies and aren’t in Downtown Bellefontaine, you can also find them at Gathering Grounds in Russells Point and The Depot Coffeehouse in Urbana.

Jennifer’s journey hasn’t been a solo endeavor. She extends special appreciation for three key people: her mother, her husband and Haley Thornburg. From packaging and delivering cookies to helping at the Farmer’s Market and eventually working at the store, Jennifer’s mother has played a pivotal role. Her husband’s patience and support when it comes to helping with their five fur babies, and with tasks such as laundry, dishes or even tracking down emergency supplies has been indispensable. Haley, an integral part of the team since before the brick and mortar opened, has been instrumental in the growth of One-Eyed Cookie Lab. Three other employees complete the One-Eyed Cookie Lab team.
​
One-Eyed Cookie Lab’s desire was to create something fun with all-natural products for the community that Jennifer calls home. She fell in love with the store front with great views of some of Bellefontaine’s staple buildings – The Holland Theatre, the Veteran’s building and of course, the Courthouse! As the first concrete street (which is where One-Eyed Cookie Lab is located on) is a popular tourist attraction in Logan County, the store has become a loved favorite, as well.
​

The West Liberty Business Association held their Annual Dinner on Thursday, January 18, 2024. It began with a social hour and membership drive with music provided by Rise FM.  After that, WLBA President Heather Chamberlain welcomed all the attendees and a prayer was offered by Jeff Vernon.  The meal that followed was prepared by Paul’s Catering.  After dinner, Chamberlain welcomed West Liberty-Salem Band Director Paul Waibel.  Earlier in the year, the WLBA was made aware of a few students that needed some additional funding in order to be able to go to Disney with the WL-S band.  Several members of the WLBA donated money for these students to be able to go on this trip.  Mr. Waibel thanked all of those members for helping to make this trip a reality. 

Some highlights of 2023 for the WLBA are as follows: Increased membership by 45%, finalized their 501c3 status to be recognized as an official non-profit organization, and purchased a trolley along with the Lion’s Club and the Village.