Scioto Business Advocate

09/19/2025

https://sciotobusiness.com/f/ribbon-cutting-grand-opening-of-rhinos-pools

Celebrating a New Chapter in Pool Care Excellence

07/09/2025

PSA: Ritz Cracker Recall

https://www.wfla.com/news/national/ritz-cracker-sandwiches-urgently-recalled-over-potentially-life-threatening-error/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLbtE5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3Y002WldjdHR3aUJXRmFMAR7lH1GEOJesilc33LJ4y5qCtDHnopxqGI1LJgH_w_8QD8ZqwtvjEaEmjZwpSA_aem_GnrTOMeS0DMspiZlHuMZCg

The manufacturer of Ritz cracker sandwiches has issued an urgent recall due to a labeling error that could cause a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction.

06/13/2025

Headline: Chillicothe Man Sentenced in Global Business Email Scam

Category: Cybercrime & Fraud
Date: June 13, 2025

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO — A Chillicothe man has been sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison for his role in a complex, multinational business email compromise (BEC) and money laundering scheme that defrauded victims across the United States. The case highlights the escalating threat cyberfraud poses to businesses of all sizes, including those in Southern Ohio.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi, Gabriel Waters, 54, of Chillicothe, was convicted of wire fraud and money laundering after participating in a cybercriminal network that impersonated corporate executives to trick employees into wiring funds to fraudulent accounts. Waters opened and controlled U.S. bank accounts that received the stolen funds. He then transferred the money across multiple accounts, converted it to cryptocurrency, and moved it to entities overseas.

The operation, which investigators say was international in scope, targeted businesses in multiple states, including companies in Mississippi. The total fraud exceeded $500,000.

https://sciotobusiness.com/f/chillicothe-man-sentenced-in-global-business-email-scam

06/09/2025

Scioto Valley Forward: A Historic and Hopeful Partnership

Contact Information:
Mike Throne, president and CEO,
Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

740-702-2722,
[email protected]

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO - JUNE 9, 2025 - Today marks a significant step forward for our community as officials from Chillicothe and Ross County, along with key partners, proudly unveil Scioto Valley Forward. This strategic public-private partnership aims to improve our local economy and support our businesses and workforce.

Our coalition is strong, consisting of the City of Chillicothe, Ross County Government, Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development, the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, the Chillicothe Ross Community Foundation, United Way of Ross County, the Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library, Ohio Southeast/JobsOhio, Ohio Means Jobs, and various state and local partners. This collective effort highlights our dedication to the prosperity and resilience of our community.

Initially established in response to the April 15 announcement of the paper mill’s closure, Scioto Valley Forward has expanded its mission to tackle the workforce challenges confronting Ross County and southern Ohio. Through our newly launched online hub, sciotovalleyforward.com, we provide everyone in our community with access to essential information and resources during this transformative period. “In true Ross County spirit, we're transforming uncertainty into opportunity through the power of partnership. Scioto Valley Forward represents an unprecedented collaboration to ensure no business or worker faces these transitions alone,” said Mike Throne, president and CEO of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce.

This story continues:

https://sciotobusiness.com/f/scioto-valley-forward-a-historic-and-hopeful-partnership

06/06/2025

Headline: Ohio Small Businesses Strained by Tariffs and Regulatory Shifts
Category: Economic Policy & Regulation
Date: June 6, 2025

Ohio small businesses are reporting increased financial pressure as the combined impact of federal tariffs and new state-level regulatory proposals reshapes cost structures, limits product availability, and threatens longstanding business models.

On the international front, import tariffs—particularly those imposed on goods from China—have driven up the cost of retail and wholesale inventory. Marc Bowker, owner of Alter Ego Comics in Lima, Ohio, told Business Insider that tariffs have raised some of his product costs by as much as 34%. Specialty items, such as high-end collectibles imported from China and other countries, have seen tariff rates climb to over 200% in some instances, drastically reducing profit margins or forcing price hikes on consumers (Business Insider, 2024).

Continue reading:
https://sciotobusiness.com/f/ohio-small-businesses-strained-by-tariffs-and-regulatory-shifts?fbclid=IwY2xjawKwKW9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVc0ZkczBnZVBxdHNHQmFmAR6UJgvUrI73gJtyb_f6WEPa6NNox3CUeuLZADkrJ9ZoQGWymGMM2sn6X4_lgA_aem_UsQY8R1sbs-oTFVcYMWOQw

06/02/2025

Headline: Ohio’s Two-Week Sales Tax Holiday Set for August
Category: Economy
Date: June 2, 2025

Ohio will hold a two-week sales tax holiday from August 1 through August 14, 2025, offering consumers significant savings. During this period, most personal items priced $500 or less, including clothing, electronics, books, home goods, and gardening supplies, will be exempt from state sales tax. The holiday covers both online and in-store purchases. However, motor vehicles, alcohol, to***co, v***r products, ma*****na products, and services remain taxable. Governor Mike DeWine highlighted the event as beneficial for families, while Speaker Matt Huffman noted its importance in supporting working families across the state.

Consumers can leverage this tax-free period to make special purchases, such as upgrading electronics, refreshing wardrobes, or purchasing sports and outdoor equipment. It's also an ideal opportunity for families to stock up on back-to-school supplies and clothing, maximizing savings while preparing students for the upcoming academic year.

https://sciotobusiness.com/f/sales-tax-holiday-best-time-to-buy-is-coming-soon

06/02/2025

Printex's new location is open on Main St.

From their FB post:

We are OPEN at our new location! There's plenty of off-street parking, a spacious lobby, and the same great staff. Come see us across the street at 160 E. Main St.

05/29/2025

Headline: Where Did the Workers Go? Solving the Small Business Labor Crisis in Southern Ohio
Category: Workforce & Labor
Date: May 29, 2025

Southern Ohio’s small businesses are facing a mounting challenge that threatens long-term growth: a shrinking and shifting labor pool. In Ross, Pike, and Scioto counties—as across much of the state—retailers, tradespeople, service providers, and manufacturers alike are struggling to find and retain skilled workers. Although Ohio’s unemployment rate stood at 4.2% as of April 2025 (Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, 2025), employers reported increasing difficulty in hiring, especially in rural and economically transitioning regions.

Nationwide, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reports that 58% of small employers have job openings they cannot fill (NFIB, 2025). In Ohio, workforce shortages are particularly pronounced in construction, healthcare, hospitality, and logistics sectors. Many of these jobs require a physical presence, making them less attractive to workers who have grown accustomed to remote or flexible employment models since the pandemic.

According to the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, a combination of factors is contributing to the ongoing labor mismatch. Retirements have surged, especially among Baby Boomers in skilled trades and professional services. Meanwhile, younger job seekers often prioritize flexible scheduling, purpose-driven work, and digital career paths, making it harder to recruit for in-person or manual labor roles.

In rural counties like Ross and Pike, access to reliable transportation and childcare presents additional barriers. A 2023 report by the Appalachian Regional Commission identified workforce access, especially among low-income and single-parent households, as a critical constraint on economic mobility in Appalachian Ohio (Appalachian Regional Commission, 2023). These logistical issues have led to lower labor force participation in several communities despite the availability of jobs.

https://sciotobusiness.com/f/where-did-the-workers-go-solving-the-small-business-labor-crisis

05/27/2025

Title: Burger Bliss: Celebrating National Hamburger Day in Southern Ohio
Category: Food & Dining
Date: May 28, 2025

From Classic Bites to Gourmet Grinds: Southern Ohio Joins the Nation in Savoring National Hamburger Day

May 28 marks National Hamburger Day, and across America, restaurants and burger lovers are firing up grills, sharing deals, and celebrating a timeless culinary icon. In Southern Ohio, towns like Chillicothe, Circleville, and Portsmouth are offering unique spins on the classic burger, each with its own local flavor and history.

A Slice of Burger History

The hamburger’s origin dates back to the late 19th century, when German immigrants introduced the concept of minced beef, which was later Americanized and popularized at diners and roadside stands. By the 1920s, it had become a staple of American cuisine, and today, it's a $150 billion+ industry (Statista, 2024).

National Hamburger Day celebrates both the humble origins and the creativity now defining the burger landscape—from smash burgers and sliders to plant-based patties and wagyu beef masterpieces.

https://sciotobusiness.com/f/southern-ohio-joins-the-nation-in-savoring-national-hamburger-day

05/22/2025

https://sciotobusiness.com/f/proposed-ohio-flavor-ban-threatens-vape-shops-small-retailers