When we gathered for our first Chillicothe Resilient Business Roundtable on May 6, we made a commitment to this community's business owners: we would show up, act, and come back with results. Here is where we stand.

We took your message to the people who need to hear it. Since our first roundtable, the Chamber has made formal presentations to both the City of Chillicothe and Ross County Board of Commissioners, putting the real impact of construction on local businesses — the revenue losses, the staffing cuts, the access challenges — directly in front of decision-makers. That advocacy is producing results: we have secured funding commitments from both OVRDC and ECDI to support businesses affected by the Bridge Street construction corridor. More details on eligibility and how to apply are coming shortly.

We pushed for better data. One of the clearest gaps identified on May 6 was the absence of real-time traffic data on Bridge Street and the affected corridors. We have been actively advocating for the placement of portable traffic counters along those routes so that we — and you — can see in real time where customers are going and how traffic patterns are shifting. That conversation is ongoing, and we will report back at the June 10 roundtable.

We built tools to put in your hands. The Chamber has developed two new toolkits that will be unveiled at our June 10 roundtable — one designed specifically for employers navigating the construction period, and one for employees who may be facing reduced hours or other workforce challenges. These are practical, ready-to-use resources built around exactly what we heard from you in May.

We kept "Still Here. Still Open." moving. The Chamber has continued pushing the Bridge the Gap campaign across social media, earned media, and partner channels, working to combat the misconception that affected businesses are hard to reach or temporarily closed. Getting back to the businesses you love is easier than you think — and we are going to keep saying it.

What's next

Our next step is June 10. The Second Bridge the Gap Business Roundtable takes place Wednesday, June 10, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Carlisle Building. We will unveil both toolkits, walk through how to access the secured funding, and share a real-time update on construction and traffic advocacy. We will also be launching the Bridge the Gap Coupon Newsletter — and we need your participation to make it work.

If you are a business owner along any affected corridor, we want you in that room. Questions? Reach out directly: mthrone@chillicotheohio.com | 740-702-2722