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Chamber outlines 'Chillicothe Resilient' plan, asks council to consider signage, timelines and stabilization fund
Summary
Mike Throne, president and CEO of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, presented a campaign to support downtown businesses during construction and asked council for temporary-signage improvements, clear construction timelines and to consider whether a capital stabilization fund could be feasible.
Mike Throne, president and CEO of the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, told council on May 11 that downtown businesses are "hurting right now" because construction is reducing foot traffic and creating customer confusion. Throne presented "Chillicothe Resilient," a coordinated business-support initiative centered on a "Bridge the Gap" campaign and asked the council to consider three near-term steps: improved and consistent temporary signage for active construction zones, regularly updated construction timelines for affected projects, and exploring a capital stabilization fund to support businesses through the disruption.
Throne said the Chamber's plan includes coordinated digital and social campaigns, rotating district events, a business directory, peer-support cohorts and partner navigation for direct resources. He noted the Chamber and outside partners have been engaging potential funding sources including ECDI and OVRDC to establish relief funds and cited a prior $675,000 capital investment the Chamber administered during the COVID emergency as precedent.
During public comment several residents responded. Welcome Stokke thanked Throne and emphasized the human toll of lost hours and wages for workers; David White urged the council to prioritize school funding after a failed levy rather than creating new business relief funds; and residents asked for clarity about downtown parking and immediate public-safety steps to protect pedestrians and drivers during the construction period.
There was no formal council vote to create a stabilization fund at the meeting. Council members indicated they would take the Chamber's materials and discuss options with administration; no budgetary commitment was made at this session.
Next steps: The Chamber said it will distribute its plan to council members and pursue partner funding; councilors requested administration follow-up on signage and construction-schedule communication.
