Fall '15 Newsletter | cuyvalchamber

THE CHAMBER FOCUS

FALL E-Newsletter

Serving the Cuyahoga Valley Region, Rockside Corridor & the Communities of Brooklyn Heights, Cuyahoga Heights, Independence, Seven Hills, Valley View & Walton Hills

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

With 2015 winding down I would like to take this opportunity to thank the

Cuyahoga Valley Chamber for all that is does for our communities. My term

is ending and I look for new and exciting things in 2016. Starting and

ending dates are usually noted by a memorable events.

I started with this organization 25 years ago while I was pregnant with

my son. Great relationships, increased business for the Holiday Inn and

the ability to join in a sense of community are just a few rewards I have

enjoyed from my participation. I encourage everyone to share his or her

talents, and get involved, it will make a difference.

Best wishes for a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season

Thank You!

Sincerely,

Lynette Slama, President

Cuyahoga Valley Chamber of Commerce

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

This has been a spectacular year for the chamber, and I am so delighted to be a

part of it these past nine months. For me, it has been a period of making new

friends, and learning all about your municipalities from the 6 mayors and all those

who work within them.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our summer and fall activities. The

turnouts were terrific, and everyone had a great time. We will strive for even

bigger and better events next year.

But, for now, I want to focus on what’s coming up this holiday season. In one day, we will have our ever popular State of the Region address, in December there will be Share-A-Christmas, partnering with the Holiday Inn. Then, in January, we will have the RNC update for the Cuyahoga Valley region.

At last, we are proud to finally be able to announce the launch of Chambermaster, our new membership software. We’ve had a couple of false starts, but it is, at last, up and running. This software will improve our member-to-member communications, will allow member businesses to update their information electronically, and will be able to handle members’ advertising and promotions. Detailed information is below. Additionally, you will all be receiving comprehensive information in the mail.

I am looking forward to continuing to get to know all of you, and I wish everyone a joyful, safe, and rewarding holiday season.

Thanks,

April Acuña, Executive Director
Cuyahoga Valley Chamber of Commerce

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

All organizations have someone that always seems to go the extra step. We have been

so lucky to have Liberty Schindel be that board member. She has been instrumental

with our By-Laws committee, diligently working on the Strategic Plan as well as a

Committee Handbook. She also sits on the Programming Committee.

On behalf of the entire Board we Thank You!!

CHAMBER NEWS

SAVE THE DATE

SUMMER/FALL EVENTS

CITY OF INDEPENDENCE NEWS

CHAMBER NEWS

Chamber Master's

Cuyahoga Valley Chamber of Commerce announces a new partnership with

MicroNet, Inc., the leading provider of online solutions for member-based

associations and chambers of commerce.

Your membership gives you exclusive access to specialized tools to promote your organization via the new online Member Information Center.

Membership listing - update your listing to ensure everyone has access to complete, up-to-date information. Important: Completing your profile is critical to gaining increased visibility and exposure!
Deals - offer coupons and special deals; fellow members may well be your best customers.
Job postings - submit your own job openings.
Advertise events - add your events to our online event calendar displayed with quick links; use these links to share in your social media, text to mobile devices, add to calendar, or email to others.
Network with other members - check out other member listings, jobs, deals.

You will be receiving further information within the next couple of days!

The Chamber Energy Aggregation Program

The Cuyahoga Valley Chamber of Commerce and Community Energy Advisors (CEA)

are proud to announce a partnership to provide Chamber Members with a unique

energy savings program.

This is an exclusive opportunity to save money on electricity and natural gas bills. This savings benefit is a group buying program which allows members to aggregate, creating "market power" and savings for themselves. As a result, the Chamber Energy Aggregation Program creates additional buying power, which encourages energy suppliers to compete for your business, and thus drives down prices.

Enrollment is offered on a monthly basis so even if you are currently in the midst of an energy contract, this program will be an on-going offer. For more information on CEA and or to learn more about this program, please visit their website.

SAVE THE DATE

Be sure to register for these upcoming Chamber events!

SUMMER/FALL EVENTS

Annual Picnic

In spite of the persistent rain during the morning of August 27th, the Chamber proceeded with their scheduled annual picnic. By the time 11:30 AM rolled around, the sun was out, and a beautiful day was beginning for the 70 people who attended this festive event.

The catering was provided by Old Carolina Barbecue who, for franchise reasons, have since changed their name to Crooked River BBQ. As expected, the food was delicious, and was capped off with luscious cookies contributed by Executive Caterers.

The raffle drawing featured prizes supplied by the attendees, and the drawing was done by business card.

If you missed this year’s picnic, make sure it’s on your calendar for next year. You are guaranteed an afternoon of fun, food, chatting, and maybe a little business, too.

Annual Golf Outing

The Annual Cuyahoga Valley Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing this year

had to be the best one ever. The powers that be smiled on us by granting us

a perfectly beautiful day - a perfect golf day! We had 60 golfers in all - although

some might count 61.

The 61st golfer was the Chick-fil-A inflated cow with his endearing message to:

“Eat More Chikin.” Unlike the 60 other golfers, this one challenged you to hit him.

For $5.00 you had the opportunity, and if you did, you won Chick-fil-a for a year.

Three of our golfers hit the cow! Can you believe it!

No matter how perfect the weather, the day could not have gotten off if it weren’t for

the perfect planning and hard work of our chairman, Frank Denallo and all of his volunteers.

We need to extend a special thanks to the 36 sponsors and their generous donations to our

event. A very special thank you to The Osteoporosis Walk Foundation and their record-

setting donation of $1,000. As always, these generous donations, and the profits from the

outing benefit the Chamber’s High School Senior Scholarship Fund.

The outing was capped off by a beautiful buffet dinner featuring ribs, chicken and steak (please don’t tell the Chick-fil-a cow about the steak).

This great event just gets better every year! Thanks again Frank!

The Marijuana Legalization Amendment Luncheon

October 21 - Living up to the new goals of the Chamber's new Strategic Plan, the intention

of this event was to provide educational programming to our members.

Unfortunately, Ian James of Responsible Ohio was a no-show. However, Tony Coder of

Drug Free Action Alliance more than filled the bill. His speech was extremely informative

regarding the facts and statistics regarding Issue 3. He highlighted how the legalization

of marijuana would impact businesses, municipalities, and schools.

Ed “Flash” Ferenc was the perfect emcee for the event beginning the program with

statistics that had just been published regarding Issue 3.

This was an informative time-sensitive event, one we need many more of down the road!

At the writing of this article, Issue 3 has soundly been defeated.

CITY OF INDEPENDENCE NEWS

Independence and Fairmount Properties Partner in Mixed-Use Developments

The City of Independence is pleased to announce the approval and broad public release of a series of area development plans and the subsequent selection of Cleveland, OH – based Fairmount Properties LLC as its development partner. To facilitate and guide the implementation of the vision articulated in the Area Plans, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been executed by the City and Fairmount Properties. The development of the Area Plans and resulting agreement with the private development partner are the product of a collaborative, detailed and comprehensive public process shaped by considerable community input. As illustrated in the approved Area Plans, the development of city-owned property in both downtown Independence, including the former Independence Middle School, and the 33 acre site in the Northwest Quadrant of Rockside Road, are included in the MOU.

Behind a strong development team led by Fairmount Properties – successful developers of millions of square feet of mixed-use including the award winning $750+ million Flats East Bank district in Cleveland, OH and the College Town Kent (OH) district- the community’s vision as captured by the Area Plans is seen as an opportunity to inspire generational change in the City while providing much needed residential, commercial and public amenities within the community.

“Our entire team is so very appreciative of the opportunity to work with the City of Independence and its community members,” said Randy Ruttenberg, founding principal of Fairmount Properties. “We pledge to be good stewards of these important initiatives and honor the vision that has so thoughtfully emerged through this public process.”

The initial scope of the development planning will concentrate on adding new and exciting for-sale residential choices to the downtown Independence market, providing innovative housing options that do not currently exist in the area for young professionals, empty nesters and downsizers. A complementary neighborhood retail component is also included in the initial planning.

The city-owned property in the Northwest Quadrant of Rockside Road represents one of the largest amounts of developable land in Independence. In 2014, Independence purchased the 33 acres from Duke Realty. As outlined in the Area Plans, the vision for this site is a mixed-use district with a corporate focus that also incorporates ancillary retail, restaurant, entertainment, and residential uses within a compact and walkable street pattern. Through this partnership, the City and Fairmount Properties intend to create a distinctive corporate environment with amenities unique to Northeast Ohio, while meeting the emerging market desire for walkable, mixed-use employment centers.

The City of Independence is strategically located 12 minutes south of downtown Cleveland and is positioned at the freeway interchange of I-77 and I-480, a key crossroads of Northeast Ohio that combines for hundreds of thousands of vehicles passing every day. Independence has a daytime employment base of nearly twenty-five thousand people, and with 4.5 million square feet of office space, it serves as a major regional sub market within greater Cleveland.

The City and Fairmount will immediately commence the pre-development process. “This is just the start of what promises to be an exciting time in Independence,” said Independence Mayor Gregory Kurtz. “The Area Plans introduce a new, more progressive era of development for two of the City’s most important business districts, Downtown and Rockside Road. I am confident this partnership with Fairmount Properties will result in transformative projects in these areas and usher in a new era of development in Independence.”

Anticipated completion for the initial phases of development is 2017.

If you would like, here is the link for the content which is found on yourindependence.org and you can use that as the read more- http://yourindependence.org/news/city-of-independence-and-fairmount-properties-partner-in-mixed-use-developments/

New Hotel Coming Soon to Independence

The newest hotel to the area, the Marriott SpringHill Suites! With a scheduled opening summer of 2016. The 4 story hotel will feature 121 suites, accommodating two different room styles. Two Queen beds or a King bed with a pull-out sofa, as well as, a workspace, coffee maker, mini fridge, and microwave! Hotel amenities include an indoor pool, fitness center, business center, 24-hour market, fire pit and a daily hot breakfast bar! You'll find free wifi throughout the hotel and Marriott rewards points will be accepted.

Owned and operated by Janus Hotels and Resorts. Same owners as the Holiday Inn.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Please help the Chamber keep up-to-date records by

sending your new information!

FL Sales Inc.

Kaleigh Winters

7115 Krick Rd

Walton Hills, OH 44146

flsales.com

Grand Re-Opening - Congratulations to....

Curves

Shari Heimberger