North Coast Business Journal - August 2011

POSTMASTER: TIMELY MATERIAL. PLEASE EXPEDITE.

Celebrating 16 Years of Service Published and Owned by Schaffner Publications, Inc.

AUGUST 2011 Vol. 17 No. 8

“The Business Voice of Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca Counties”

Focus on Norwalk

INSIDE THIS MONTH Shame on Us.......2

Make It a Great Day! Submitted by Norwalk Mayor Sue Lesch

Chamber Calendars ........ 10 IT: PC Vacation Tips .... 12 U.S. Debt Limit Q & A . .... 15 Sales: Accountability.. 18 Well-Booked Business............ 19 LEGAL: Three Counties, Two Sates.................. 21 End Employee Theft.................. 25

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Standard Mail U.S. Postage Paid Tiffin, OH 44883 Permit #88

In November of 2010 the City of Norwalk received a $100,000 gift for a new park in uptown Norwalk. This gift came from Bob Suhr of Scotts Valley California who had grown up in Norwalk, moved away to serve in World War II and 70 years later decided to give back to the hometown he loved. This gift not only built a beautiful park in the heart of our City, but gave us a great motto for these times. “Make it a great day,” was Bob’s wish offered at the end of every conversation. Bob Suhr lived by this motto, powerful wisdom which empowers us to actively seek the positive and make our days, our communities and our lives great. In Norwalk, we have adopted it as an empowering outlook to helps us take charge of our destiny.

One important way we make Norwalk a great community is through our Economic Development Team. We continue these

extraordinary efforts, in partnership with the Norwalk Economic Development Corp., under the leadership of Ellen Heinz, which in the last 15 months helped connect area businesses to over $13 million dollars in financial assistance.

Many of our local businesses are growing, including: Fisher-Titus Medical Center, which is again our leader in growth and innovation as one of the first Cerner “smart” hospitals in the nation, winning awards for the third year in a row as the Top 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare in the US and for the HealthGrades distinctive Outstanding Patient Experience Award and recently breaking ground for a $12.5 million expansion of Fisher-Titus Medical Center’s emergency, admitting and outpatient laboratory services.

New Horizons Baking Company, which received a $1 million Targeting Energy

See MAKE IT GREAT, Page 3

Huron County Chamber asks “Are you Prepared?”

From Melissa James Executive Director The Huron County Chamber of Commerce is also the local sponsor of the Huron County Safety Council so our efforts sometimes overlap.

We were reviewing the winners of the World Chamber competition and one of the winners was the chamber from

Christchurch, New Zealand for their efforts following the earthquake that has devastated their area. Since that event in September of 2010 there have been thousands of additional quakes, some of significant magnitude. .

Many businesses are still not allowed back into their facilities or are being escorted by authorities so they may recover things like their computers…yes,

they are just now getting access to their buildings and it’s been nearly a year. That of course got us to talking about our own disaster plan and worrying about our businesses. Though we have encouraged disaster plans since the June 2006 flood we know there is a large majority of area businesses that have continued to roll

See HURON CHAMBER, Page 24

We’re a proud member of the following: Bellevue Area Chamber of Commerce

Elmore Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce Erie County Chamber of Sandusky County of Commerce

Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce

Huron Chamber of Commerce

Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Genoa Chamber of Commerce

Huron County Chamber of Commerce

Milan Chamber of Commerce

Oak Harbor Area Put-in-Bay Chamber Chamber of Commerce of Commerce

Vermilion Chamber of Commerce

Port Clinton Area Tiffin Area Chamber Willard Area Chamber Chamber of Commerce of Commerce of Commerce

2 August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

Shame On Us

By Jeffrey H. Bryden Editor

Bear with me for this allegory: Imagine encountering a group of fishermen with downcast eyes and gloomy countenance.

“The fishing’s lousy” they all exclaim. Yet they live near a fully-stocked pond, teeming with lively, large and tasty fish.

You ask, “Weren’t they biting today?” “Don’t know,” they respond, “we didn’t show up to put our lines in the water.”

Sound silly? I hope so. Yet this story is not as far-fetched as it sounds.

Last month, four Ottawa County Chambers (Genoa, Marblehead, Oak Harbor and Port Clinton) marshaled their forces to offer their members an opportunity to welcome the NRA/CMP National Match Shooters and their families to Camp Perry and the County. (Over 5,500 shooters and their families stay in the area over the 45-day National Match period.) The Chambers hosted a Shooters Welcome Reception following the Opening Day’s “First Shot” ceremony.

There was no cost for businesses to attend and exhibit, though a refundable $25 deposit was required to discourage “no-shows.” The reception was held late in the day, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

As shooters and their families were being supplied hot dogs and beverages by Camp Perry, it was suggested that business attendees might wish to bring additional food items (cookies, chips, or other snacks) to offer on their tables. Shooters and their families were all given “door prize punch cards” to be validated -- to assure that they made the rounds and visited each exhibitor’s table.

Sounds like a “no brainer” for area businesses to attend, doesn’t it? An opportunity to meet and greet, to hand out coupons, maps, information, samples to these good prospects: men, women and their families who have time, money and an inclination to invest in the county during their stay. They’re attractive customers for virtually every retail or service establishment in the county.

Guess how many tables were there, from a combined Chamber membership of over 830 businesses? If you guessed more than eight tables, you lost – Only a ONE PERCENT turnout! What does this say about the proactive nature of these business communities?

Okay, I understand that this audience is not a good fit for many of the businesses who belong to the four chambers – people who sell business to business, insurance agents, utilities, accountants, physicians and so on. But might they be good prospects for fishing charters, motels, dine-in and take-out restaurants, taverns and pubs, gift shops, grocery stores, amusement parks, beauty 7/28/11 salons, 10:24:15 auto repair NCBJ Berrysaha0711.pdf AM

“The Business Voice of Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca Counties”

205 S.E. Catawba Road, Suite G, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452 419-734-4838 • Fax 419-734-5382

Publisher

shops, laundromats, pharmacies, jewelry stores, bowling alleys? (You can add to the list.)

And, lest I paint a completely negative picture here, I should point out that about forty-five businesses DID run ads in a special “National Matches” supplement (published by our sister publication, The BEACON) which was included in each Shooter’s welcome packet.

And some businesses supplied coupons to their local Chambers to be distributed in these packets.

I’m a life-long proponent of advertising. But while print advertising is a good way to make contact, impart information and leave a tangible, physical impression, nothing makes a stronger impact on a prospect than a personal, one-on-one, encounter: A “look-em-in-the-eye, welcome-toour-area, glad-you’re-here, stop-by-my-place-andI’ll- treat-you-like-royalty” greeting and handshake.

Ottawa County, like our five-county area and most of America, depends on the vitality of its service industry firms. And service firms are built around people-to-people interaction.

While advertising is a good start, it will fail without the follow-through of personal attention. Promotion is a full-time job. Half-hearted attempts yield halfhearted results.

As a Reception exhibitor, I had a first-hand view of this event – so this example is used for illustrative purposes, not to single out Ottawa County businesses. (Though similar apathetic attendance has been noted at other Chambers' events in our five counties.)

Your Chambers of Commerce are there to help you grow your business. But for you to get something out of your membership, you must put something into it: you must participate.

You can only catch fish by going fishing; by casting your line into the water.

If you’re waiting for the fish to jump in your boat…shame on you.

JOHN SCHAFFNER

Editor

JEFFREY H. BRYDEN jbryden@ncbj.net

Director of Sales

DAVE KAHLER dkahler@ncbj.net

Accounting Manager

CINDY CONSTIEN cindy@thebeacon.net

Layout & Graphic Design

LORI HICKS lori@thebeacon.net ANGIE ADAIR ZAM angie@thebeacon.net

BRUCE DINSE

Circulation Manager

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North Coast Business Journal is owned and published monthly by Schaffner Publications, Inc., and is mailed free to chamber of commerce members in a five-county area: Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Seneca counties.

The editorial deadline is the 25th of each month, with the advertising deadline the end of each month. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the expressed, written consent of the Publishers.

We welcome submissions from readers in the form of letters, articles or photographs, although we reserve the right to edit and condense any articles submitted. Submissions should be sent to the editor at the above address. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you would like an item returned. We prefer material (copy & photos) to be submitted electronically.

OPENING SOON:

St. Charles Place for Outside Dining

Seneca County Computer and Job Search These classes and workshops are free and open to the public. Call 419-447-5011 extension 443 to register.

August Computer Classes: Wednesday, August 3rd Word 9am-noon Thursday, August 11th File Manager 9am-noon August Job Search Workshops: Every Tuesday 8:30 am-noon Wednesday, August 17 9 am-noon For more information you can visit the website www.djfs.co.seneca.oh.us or call 419447-5011.

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August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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MAKE IT GREAT, from Page 1 Efficiency Grant for new ovens, expanded their new Genesis Baking Company division, with 23,000 sq. ft. of space and over 30 new jobs.

Summit Motorsports Park which continues its success with thriving NHRA National events and another record breaking year.

Janesville Acoustics which expanded their client base with both foreign and domestic auto makers.

Norwalk Custom Order Furniture continues to grow with over 350 accounts.

EPIC Technologies has expanded and received numerous awards for quality and service.

Maple City Rubber was featured on the Discovery Channel’s series “Factory Made” with their American-made balloons.

Back Office Associates, a new high-tech firm providing “data-factory” services to some of the nations Fortune 500 firms and expanding from 4 jobs to 40 in less than a year.

In addition to the beautiful Suhr Park in the heart of uptown, our Historic Main Street District continues to grow with new businesses opening their doors and many new activities bringing people in. Berry’s Restaurant is expanding to offer al-fresco dining with entertainment. A walk-in pet wash

Your Hometown Team.

From left to right: Carole Babcanec-Mortgage Lending, Jeff Huber-Commercial Lending, Bobbie Nelson-Branch Leader, Wilma Allen-Branch Leader, Lee Jordan-Business Development

offers a valuable service to pet owners, and a bakery and new florist will soon open their doors. The Main Street Norwalk Program offered new opportunities to expand marketing knowledge with the “Jon Schallert Destination Boot Camp” and “Retail is Detail” programs.

Many City Projects added to the quality of life that makes Norwalk such a great place to live and work including some exceptional green spaces the community will enjoy for years to come. The Sofios Soccer Park received grant monies and labor donations which will allow us to open the gates to over 500 kids for the September 2011 season. Gifts and grant dollars of over $200,000 allowed for the development of the neighboring Sofios Wetlands Park.

Another vital project is the Eastside Water Connection which, in partnership with Northern Ohio Rural Water, provides a secondary water source for the City and accomplishes a decades old goal of a “perpetual water” supply for the City.

At long last the Norwalk Foundry came down through the help of EPA Brownfields grants, to clean up this site and allow for new development to occur.

As in so many other cities, Norwalk has had to meet many budget challenges in 2011. With an income picture even more dismal than 2010, City Departments had to squeeze even more from every dollar. Following the example of many of our industries who have adopted a LEAN Manufacturing model, City departments have been implementing a LEAN Government model looking for new and innovative ways to do more with less.

The City of Norwalk is succeeding in its efforts to make this a great day and Norwalk a great place! We are focused on the positives, as there are many!

Much innovation and growth in local businesses. A strong economic development team innovating daily. Business and community leaders who always say yes when called upon. A vibrant and growing downtown. Civic leaders and city employees committed beyond expectation. The generosity of citizens past and present. Strong schools, strong churches, strong families!

At Citizens, our team understands the needs of families and businesses and has the financial products and services to help you meet them. Whether your goals include business or personal borrowing or saving for your future, contact Citizens Bank today and experience the community banking difference.

Call or visit us in Norwalk at: 207 Milan Avenue (419) 744-3162

36 East Seminary (419) 744-3100

CitizensBankCo.com

Member FDIC

4 August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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A Sure Sign Of

simply smarter Care.

Simply Smarter Care

the signs of better health care are all around you. simply look for the smarter kind of medicine that has been a hallmark of fisher-titus Medical Center for half a century. here you’ll find the latest in medical treatments, the technology of America’s first all-digital smart community hospital and an exceptional care experience—all delivered by a team of skilled, experienced physicians and medical professionals providing the finest in treatment with a personal touch. we invite you to learn how our simply smarter approach is making health care better for our entire region. Just visit fisher-titus.org.

w w w . f i s h e r - t i t u s . o r g

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Good News for Norwalk - Highlights Show Increased Investment and Promising Outlook for 2011 Submitted by Ellen Heinz, M. Ed. Director Norwalk Economic Development Corporation

The past year has been one of increased investment, innovation and opportunity.

Area companies have advanced their organizations by expanding their operations, diversifying their market base and investing in the newest technology and training.

It is estimated that businesses invested over $35 million dollars in the Norwalk area in 2010, more than doubling the amount from the previous year. Sixteen area commercial and industrial buildings came off the market and over thirty businesses expanded.

Programs designed to encourage development were involved in a significant portion of the expansions.

The Norwalk Economic Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, helped connect area businesses to over $13 million dollars in financial assistance over the past two years in the form of loans, bonds, and grant programs at the local, state and federal levels.

The community saw a tremendous increase in the number of expansions and new business start-up interest over the past 18 months as well, experiencing the benefits of a strong business retention and expansion focus.

One of the newest projects is FisherTitus Medical Center’s $12.5 million dollar expansion of their emergency, admitting and outpatient laboratory services, which was announced to the community Friday, June 17, during an official groundbreaking ceremony at the Medical Center.

The 29,500 square-foot emergency department expansion will include a new emergency department with 11 treatment rooms (including universal rooms and rooms to accommodate women’s health and behavioral health needs), four trauma rooms, a clinical decision unit with a nurses station and four observation rooms, a rapid treatment area and a triage area.

In addition, there will be an expanded registration/admitting

reception area with four private registration rooms, an updated telecommunications center and a financial counseling office. The new laboratory draw area is equipped with four private collection stations. The projected completion date is summer 2012.

Although some businesses are still struggling, overall the area continues to see increased investment. Many businesses in a variety of sectors reported substantial growth in the past year over their 2009 numbers.

One of the areas that saw the most significant growth was manufacturing.

This is due in part to the diverse array of manufacturers in the community.

Some of the items Norwalk area manufacturers produce are medical devices, electronic circuit boards, components for the wind and solar industries, furniture, buns and muffins for McDonald’s restaurants, concrete pre-cast products, latex balloons, acoustic material for the automotive industry, paperboard packaging, fiberglass products, water and wastewater treatment systems and chemicals, guardrails, utility poles, recycled floor mats and loading dock bumpers.

Over the past year, the community has also focused on regional partnerships in a multi-county area.

The top priority has been working with Erie County partners to support NASA Plum Brook, along with developing expanded partnerships with Lorain, Richland, Crawford and other neighboring counties.

Asked to provide some ‘good news’ that we could share, here are a few successes of our area businesses and community in the last 12 months: Genesis Baking Company (a division of New Horizons Acquisition Company) has a local expansion project that has added approximately 30 new jobs, over 20,000 sq. ft. of space and a new baking line to their facility in Norwalk. This was New Horizons’ third expansion in less than two years Summit Motorsports Park is having another tremendous year and continues to expand on their achievements and amazing success David Price Metal Services, Inc. continues to grow its client base and diversify its services, expanding into

new markets and product offerings their furniture is MADE IN OHIO and Norweco’s Bio-Dynamic tablet MADE IN THE USA. The company chlorination system for drinking launched a new web site last year water is rapidly becoming part of called ‘mycandicedesign.com’ and many humanitarian efforts. In August continues to build on their successful 2010, China Charities, associated relationship with Candice Olson and with the People’s Republic of China, her HGTV show ‘Divine Design’ ordered 200 tablet chlorination Brown, Crane & Associates moved systems to protect the water for one their business to the City of Norwalk, hundred thousand farmers in rural bringing 6 jobs into the city China EPIC Technologies for the second Janesville Acoustics launched year in a row won all five individual several new programs and will be service category awards in its revenue adding a new production line in size class at the 2010 Service 2011 to produce carpet floors for the Excellence Awards (SEAs) for Chevy Malibu Electronics Manufacturing Services Fisher-Titus Medical Center was (EMS) providers named one of the Top 100 Best Places Schild’s IGA Market Place received to Work in Healthcare in the United the Pinnacle Award for Best States by Modern Healthcare Independent Operator in the State of Magazine for the third consecutive Ohio year. Fisher-Titus was the only Ohio Payne, Nickles and Company was hospital to have earned this award named by Accounting Today and three years in a row. The medical Best Companies Group as one of the center also earned the HealthGrades Best Accounting Firms to Work for in Outstanding Patient Experience 2010.

Award for the second year in a row, FSON, LLC. (Finance Service of ranking Fisher-Titus among the top Norwalk) purchased additional 10 percent of hospitals in the nation equipment in 2010. This new BackOffice Associates, a new high- equipment added two more part-time tech company, has added 40 jobs positions and one full time position since starting their satellite location See NEDC, Page 12 in Norwalk at the end of 2009 Eight Huron County businesses received Family Owned and Operated Since 1933 training grant dollars from the Training Workers to Advance Serving Commercial & Industrial Accounts In NW Ohio Grant (Part 2), totaling nearly $60,000 in grant awards Specializing in: Project Hire, an Ohio STANDARD ARCHITECTURAL & MULTIprogram administered COLOR COATINGS

by Huron County JFS that assisted employers WOOD FINISHING with on the job training costs for dislocated VINYL WALLCOVERING workers, was also very WATER REPELLENT COATINGS successful as well. Both Project Hire and the TWO COMPONENT EPOXY & URETHANE TWA grant programs SYSTEMS combined resulted in $200,000 in training WATER AND SAND BLASTING dollars for area employers “Professional Painting Pays” Norwalk Custom Order Furniture is doing 419-332-1363 Toll Free 800-797-6252 well and focuses on 446 N. Wood St., Fremont, OH 43420 utilizing Ohio suppliers, www.maypainting.com proudly promoting that

MAY PAINTING INC.

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Main Street Norwalk: On the Road to a Successful Year Submitted by Kristie Wert, Program Manager Main Street Norwalk has made great strides in the past year in the effort to preserve, improve and promote the Uptown Norwalk Historic District.

From earning national accreditation to participation in a national marketing training program, the community based economic development program has seen an increase of their business base as well as the number of volunteers to run the program’s activities. Main Street Norwalk strives to create awareness of the District and the program itself.

Earlier this year, the program earned the distinction of being a ten-year Ohio Main Street Program with their 10th consecutive national accreditation. “Congratulations to Main Street Norwalk in their celebration of 10 years of service to the Norwalk community,” says Joyce Barrett, Executive Director of Heritage Ohio, the coordinating organization for Main Street programs in the state, “Through the time and talent of

generous citizens, Norwalk’s uptown remains the heart of the community.

Downtown districts do not succeed by luck; it takes hard work of hundreds of volunteers who care deeply about their community.”

Program Manager, Kristie Wert, also earned status as a 2011 Certified Ohio Main Street Manager, the first for the Norwalk program and one of only 14 in Ohio.

In mid-2010, Croghan Colonial Bank partnered with the Main Street Norwalk office to present the “Small Business Reinvention Scholarship.”

The program provided tuition for seven District businesses to attend Jon Schallert’s Destination Business Bootcamp this past September.

Business owners returned from this seminar re-energized and each returned with a different strategy to implement. From restructuring their store, adding a new product line and empowering employees to developing articles for national publications, each business owner was able to take the strategies they learned and adapt them to their individual business.

The Patient Experience at The Bellevue Hospital

Nationally Recognized -

Again!

TOP 5% in the Nation Fourth Year in a row.

The Bellevue Hospital has once again been recognized as a national leader in customer satisfaction by HealthGrades™ - a leading healthcare rating organization. We are ONE of 42 hospitals in the U.S.A. --- and the Only ONE in Ohio -- ranked in the Top 5% for the Outstanding Patient Experience Award for the fourth year in a row!

We continue to be dedicated to delivering an Award-Winning Experience to every patient!

1400 West Main Street, Bellevue, Ohio 44811 • 419.483.4040 • www.bellevuehospital.com

Lindale M Broidery, which specialized in custom embroidery, had a large storefront to contend with. After attending Destination Business Bootcamp, owners Dale and Linda Sheppard re-designed the storefront into zones like this one. Sheppard says the zones made it easier for customers to see the available merchandise and actually increased their sales.

The seven business owners that attended the bootcamp are now working together to develop “miniSchallert” sessions will launch in the fall. These sessions will pass along some of the tips and strategies they learned in Colorado.

Earlier this year, five District businesses participated in a new program made possible by Heritage Ohio. Funded with a grant from the USDA, Heritage Ohio provided consultation services for the five businesses. The consultants met with each individual business owner and then prepared a report with recommendations to help the business grow and expand. Each business owner is currently working to implement these recommendations.

Uptown Norwalk is seeing growth, not only in new business, but also in expansion of current businesses. New businesses continue to carve out space in the District; Scruba-Dub Pet Wash, a self-serve pet wash that has captured the interest of entrepreneurs in Vermilion opened in February of this year. Fancy That, a new florist shop featuring a funky twist on arrangements opened in July, and Crumbs Confections, a bakery specializing in cakes, muffins and specialty cookies will make their home few doors down from the florist on East Main Street. Family Video is coming in to replace a video store that closed earlier in the year in the plaza on Whittlesey Avenue. Several businesses are working on expansions through new markets, new ownership, adding employees or space, or extended hours. Berry’s Restaurant is expanding later this summer to add a 4000 square foot outdoor dining

experience called “St. Charles Place”, FSON, LLC, (Finance Service of Norwalk) a professional collections and billing company that has made uptown Norwalk its home for over 50 years, is looking to add a call floor, while Amish Heirloom Furniture has added a new employee with design/color experience to enhance their services. Chef’s Market/ Blue Ribbon Catering continues to thrive under new ownership.

Mannino’s On Main has extended summer hours, with the addition of Monday and Thursday 11am-4pm to their current weekend hours. The new and continued investment of these anchor businesses says a lot about the District itself, Doug Berry, current Board Vice-President, summed it up perfectly when he spoke about how the success of one business helps the rest of the district.

“Part of this is capturing people. If we can get people in they will be looking across the street at Lindale M Broidery or at the other businesses in town...If they come to shop at other stores, they will come here to eat. It is important that we are all successful.”

In June, the Main Street Norwalk program was honored by their parent organization, Norwalk Economic Development Corporation, with a plaque commemorating their 10th Anniversary. The presentation took place at the “Party in the Park”, the grand opening and dedication of the new Suhr Family Park in the uptown District that doubled as a celebration of Main Street accomplishments. The park, made possible by a generous donation from Robert Suhr, a Norwalk

See MAIN STREET, Page 9

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Norwalk Area’s Eighth Annual Businesses Appreciation Week Reaches Record Number Submitted by Ellen Heinz Director Norwalk Economic Development Corporation The Norwalk Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) reached a record 120 businesses during its Eighth Annual ‘Norwalk Area Business Appreciation Week,’ which was held April 25-May 3, 2011.

According to Ellen Heinz, NEDC’s Director, this event serves as one of the main components of NEDC’s business retention and expansion program.

“Supporting our local businesses is our top priority. The goal of Business Appreciation Week is to let companies know how much we appreciate them and their commitment to the Norwalk area. We also see this as an opportunity to provide them information about additional resources in the community.” Heinz added, “We greatly value this time

with our businesses.”

Heinz attributes the success and growth of the program to the commitment of the NEDC Board and investors, and the 45 community and business leaders that volunteer their time to participate as visitation team members.

“Of the 120 companies that participated this year, over 70% reported they had a good or great year in 2010. Nine businesses reported they had their best year ever in 2010, and several experienced very strong 1st quarters in 2011,” noted Heinz.

“Reports from the visitation teams came in even more positive than the year before, which is a great testament to our area businesses and their commitment to success.

As with 2010, companies took advantage of the economic changes and made a concerted effort to break into new markets and increase productivity. Many said their hard

work and investment have paid off,” said Heinz.

There was also a reported increase in local expansions and renovation projects this year, up 11% from 2010.

Many businesses stated they were hiring new employees this year, and the information reported from employers projected that approximately 170 jobs will be added in the area by the end of 2011.

Many companies noted that the Norwalk area is a great place to do business and stated the top reasons are Norwalk’s location, the community support, the good and improving economic conditions of their industries and also the business partnerships they continue to cultivate in the region.

The program’s reach continues long after the event is over. “We identified over eighty companies that requested follow-up from the visitation reports,” said Heinz.

As a public-private partnership, the mission of the Norwalk Economic Development Corporation is to foster a strong economic environment in the Norwalk area that supports businesses and nurtures growth while promoting stability in the marketplace.

Transportation, fuel prices, taxes and the need for more jobs were at the top of their list of concerns. Most of the government related items noted were directed at the state and federal levels. “Despite the issues mentioned, most people stated they were very happy to be in the community and shared good news about their businesses,” stated Heinz.

Firelands Federal Credit Union is

safe, secure & insured! (...to at least $500,000 thru NCUA & ESI.)

For over 50 years we’ve been serving Huron County and the surrounding communities. Aside from providing excellent financial products and services to our members, we pride ourselves on playing an active role in supporting our communities.

Let us show you the “Credit Union Difference”. Stop by the Credit Union today to experience it for yourself! www.firelandsfcu.org or 1-800-276-5775

Students learn from the pros On July 7, EHOVE Phlebotomy Technician students visited North Coast Clinical Lab (NCCL) in Sandusky. Owned by Jack Runner, the facility has been in business for over 26 years, and generously shared their wealth of knowledge with the students. NCCL staff Kristen Wagner, Director of Phlebotomy and Clinical Trials and Laura Giles, MLT were key members of the staff on this site visit.

Students were shown: Outpatient phlebotomy station from registration to patient venipuncture; Microbiology to include incubator process; Hematology; Coagulation and Chemistry; Blood Analyzers; UA culture streaking and Safety with laboratory hoods, eye stations, extinguisher devices, and safety showers.

call Jennie Hipp, VP norwalk Market 419-668-5833 ext. 1104

Federally insured by NCUA

8 August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Summit Motorsports: Anything but a “Drag” on Local Economy!

Thirty seven years ago a young man named Bill Bader walked on to a 100acre piece of property with a drag strip on it in Huron County that he had just purchased and his very own Field of Dreams story began.

What most saw as a rutted muddy field with a road running down the middle of it, Bader envisioned as his future. Thirty seven years later and the ball players have come out of the field of corn.

Let’s go back to the beginning and watch this amazing success story grow. When Bill Bader opened the doors in 1974 he didn’t know what to expect since he had never even been to a drag race in his entire life.

Sanctioned by the AHRA, his little track by the side of the road was hosting the AHRA National Open by 1976. He stayed with AHRA until the spring of 1978 when the track went with the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) for one year. They then switched to the NHRA for two years (1979-80) and hosted the Ohio Nationals. That event brought in the cream of the crop including such greats as “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and “The Snake” Don Prudhomme.

By 1981 Norwalk Dragway had rejoined the very successful east coast sanctioning body IHRA and stayed until 2006. This was also the year for Norwalk Dragway’s first expansion.

They held their first IHRA national event, put in scoreboards and installed 9,000 seats. The timing was right for the seats since the national event promptly filled them.

The drag strip was starting to garner some national attention and as business grew the second floor of the timing tower no longer held the staff.

A brand new office was built in 1985 and the cosmetic re-build of the complex continued.

As the racetrack continued its upward climb with the addition of the highly successful Night Under Fire, the annual national event and the unbelievable Halloween Classic, so did the need to expand to handle the new found fans. A major upgrade took place in 1994 with the addition of the towering ballpark style grandstands at the starting line, the new state of the art restrooms and the Sport Shop later to be named the Quarter-Mile Clothing Company.

The building program never seemed to end and in 2000 Bill Bader Jr., who was now the company president and handling much of the day-to-day activities, decided it was time to build more seats. Another huge grandstand was constructed on the west side of the racetrack along with concrete track safety walls, new Musko Lighting, some re-development of the track’s starting line and electronics system and the name was changed to Norwalk Raceway Park. Parking had become a problem and the acquisition of some surrounding farm land did the trick. During the following years buildings were built, major equipment was purchased and the crowds continued to grow.

Then it happened! In 2007 NHRA and Bill Bader Jr. discussed the future of the one-time ‘little drag strip by the side of the road’ and the decision was made to move the very successful Columbus NHRA National Event to Norwalk Ohio.

This was the big one; all those years of hard work and dedication had finally come to fruition. But was the track ready for this major step up?

Not in the eyes of the Bader family!

In the next twelve months more land was acquired, millions of dollars were spent and like the Phoenix rising from the ashes NRP was ready to fly.

Long time sponsor and supporter Summit Racing Equipment increased their track involvement by acquiring the track naming rights. Norwalk Raceway Park is now the Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park

or Summit Motorsports Park for short. They have also stepped up to the plate and are the official sponsor of the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA National Event held right here in Norwalk, Ohio The re-construction program was immense. The track personnel installed underground wiring, water and sewer lines. They paved the track and the pit areas along with building VIP Suites and a complete Media Center.

The latest acquisition took place over the last winter when a hot dog stand burned down. Rather than just replace it, the powers to be decided that the entire concession area needed a going over and many hundreds of thousands of dollars later there is a Main Street USA with everything from a $1 a pound Ice Cream Saloon to a Pizza Shop, the Full Throttle Grille, fast food and a beer garden.

Summit Motorsports Park and the Bader family are huge supporters of Norwalk and Huron County and have been so since coming to this area way back in 1974. What they give back to the community is not publicized and to most it’s not known. The facility is the NHRA racetrack of the year and Bill Bader Jr. was awarded the promoter of the year

by NHRA. The track is considered in the top five of all the drag strips in the country and even during the current difficult financial times Summit Motorsports Park is able to attract record breaking crowds to the area.

Their national television and print exposure has made it one of the top recognized facilities in the world.

When a group of Australians visited the track for the NHRA National Event this year they were asked why come to Norwalk? The answer was that “Summit Motorsports Park is the Holy Grail for drag racers worldwide.”

Now that’s impressive!

In dollars and cents the drag strip brings to the surrounding communities NINETY NINE MILLION DOLLARS in economic impact. That’s not what they spend at the track but

what they generate in actual dollars to the businesses that depend on Summit Motorsports Park to stay in business. This does not take in the Federal taxes, the State sales taxes which are unbelievable and the local fees that are paid.

The Lion’s Club has been in charge of the beer sales at the track for 30-plus years and the profit goes directly to them and then on to research and saving the vision for those that can’t afford to do it on their own. There are also 15 other charities and organizations who benefit from the Park. You name it and the track is involved.

Then there’s the employment! Did you know that Summit Motorsports Park employs approximately 450 people both full and part-time? With all the construction and maintenance work that gets done at the facility there are a minimum of one hundred professional workers that support their families to some degree with the money they get from the race track.

The local asphalt plants, concrete companies and building supply facilities consider Summit Motorsports Park to be one of their best customers. This all filters down to cash in the pockets of local people.

We haven’t even touched on the food purchases, the auto parts sales to the racers.

The bottom line is that the Bader family and their Summit Motorsports Park have worked hard for thirty seven years to be good neighbors and help the community in any way they can. Not for financial goals but because that’s what you are supposed to do.

Norwalk Leads Economic Recovery The past few years have taken a toll on many northern Ohio small town business districts.

Vacant buildings, lost jobs, and companies either moving or closing, have been the norm far too often. The City of Norwalk, though not immune to this trend, seems to have fared better than many other communities. A proactive city administration, aggressive economic development team, and very forward thinking business leaders, have worked together to help Norwalk hold its own during this historic period.

As many Norwalk businesses recover and grow, Janotta & Herner has been an integral part of their success. JHI has partnered with a large number of local businesses on renovations, building face lifts and new construction. In the past four years, Janotta & Herner has worked with over forty Norwalk companies to help revitalize the local economy.

Companies that have been at the core of Norwalk’s success such as

August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

www.ncbj.net

established 1962

employee owned

Fisher -Titus Medical Center, Summit Raceway Park, Janesville Products and New Horizons Baking Co., have all chosen JHI when expansion or renovation has been needed. Other companies such as VacationLand Federal Credit Union and Friendship Food Stores have chosen Norwalk and Janotta & Herner as the location and contractor for their latest expansions. Start-up businesses like Anytime Fitness and Scrub-A-Dub Self -Serve Pet Wash, have displayed their confidence in Norwalk’s future as they use JHI to renovate vacant buildings to house their new businesses.

Many consider construction companies as somewhat of a barometer when measuring our area’s economic health. The lack of construction is a strong indicator

that companies have little confidence in the future and are simply trying to hold on. But the deeper we get into 2011, JHI sees more and more signs of growth and recovery. Not only are the number of construction opportunities increasing, but the project sizes are growing as well.

For the past three years, small jobs and repairs were the only construction jobs to be had. But now many companies are expanding as a result of increased business and an optimistic vision of the future.

Some would say that this is simply a bubble that will disappear as quickly as it came. That may be so, but it may also be the beginning of a sustained recovery that helps bring our region back to strong economic health and full employment. In either case, Norwalk is one of the area leaders in economic growth and Janotta & Herner Inc. is proud to play a part in this northern Ohio success story.

9

MAIN STREET, from Page 6 native who re-located to California and never forgot his hometown, is now the focal point of the District. “The park will become a place to enjoy the present and create memories for the future. The amazing generosity of Mr. Suhr and his family has touched the heart of our community and will be a lasting inspiration,” says Wert. The program has several ideas on activities and small events that will use the park much like many other communities use their town squares. The site is also available for use by the public for weddings, concerts and picnics.

Through the continued efforts of the volunteers of Main Street Norwalk, who have logged over 3,000 in the past 3 years, the program continues to increase awareness and promote the businesses that make their home in the District.

Continuing to preserve the history and the look of the District while supporting businesses for the future, Main Street Norwalk is a catalyst for economic development and preservation. Main Street Norwalk is a division of the Norwalk Economic Development Corporation, a 501(c) 3 non profit organization.

Goodwill Golf Scramble Why Battles August 20, 2011 Insurance Agency?

9th Annual

Woussickett Golf Course, 6311 Mason Road, Sandusky

As your independent insurance agent, we’ll help you evaluate and compare the products of several insurance companies to help you find the insurance solution that best meets your needs. We’ll work hard to warn you of potential risks, and strive to get you the most value out of your insurance. We’ll work to explain all of your options in plain English and help you make the choices that are right for you.

Here are just a few of the day’s events

Hole-in-One Challenge

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10 August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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CHAMBER CALENDARS for August Bellevue Chamber of Commerce 4, 18 Open Air Markets

East Main and Sandusky St.

Erie County Chamber of Commerce 12

“Energy Efficiency Workshop" 7:30 am, Ohio Edison; 2508 W. Perkins Avenue No charge.

RSVP to 419.625.6421 or JohnM@ErieCounty Chamber.com

22

"OPEN FOR BUSINESS" Golf Outing Plum Brook Country Club.

8:30 am Registration deadline 8/12 Chamber office for details.

Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce 10

34th Annual Golf Classic Indianbrook Golf Club

Genoa Chamber of Commerce 14

Open House 2:00 p.m.

New Elementary School

30

Super Cruise-In Car Show 5:00 p.m.

Huron County Chamber of Commerce 4

Safety Council Construction, 7:30 am, Chamber office

Program Committee, 8:00 am, Chamber office

9

Ohio Edison Lighting Grant Seminar, 8:00 am, Chamber office, Free, RSVP requested, Light breakfast provided

11

Business After Hours Kasper Chevrolet, 300 Milan Ave., 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Marblehead Peninsula Chamber of Commerce 4

Directors Meeting Otterbein North Shore 7:00 p.m.

18

Business After Hours Hosted by: Cleats 5 to 7:00 p.m.

19 -20 Marblehead Ethnic

Heritage Days

Various Locations

in the Village 21

55th Annual Halupki Festival at Holy Assumption Orthodox Church

25

Executive Meeting Chamber Office 10:00 am

27

Lions Perch Festival James Park, 10 to 5

Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce 18

Board Meeting 7:30 am Chamber Building

20, 27 Downtown Oak Harbor

Farmers' Market

8:00 am Noon

Flat Iron Park 24

Microsoft Seminar Tips & Tricks for Windows 7 and Office 2010 Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Ottawa County Improvement Corporation FREE to Chamber Members

Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce 4

Business After Hours Hosted by AAA 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

5,12, 19, 26

River Front Live!

Free Music on Jefferson Street Pier (6:30-8:00 p.m.)

6, 13, 20, 27

Farmer’s Market (Downtown on Adams Street) (9:00 am -Noon)

8

Chamber Board Meeting Chamber Office, (8:30 am)

10

Main Street Port Clinton Economic Restructuring Committee Meeting (8:30 am)

11

Main Street Port Clinton Organization Executive Committee Meeting at MSPC Office (8:30 am)

15

Walleye Festival Committee Meeting at Ida Rupp Library (5:00 p.m.)

18

Main Street Port Clinton Board Meeting at MSPC Office (8:30 am)

23

Port Clinton Area Chamber Golf Outing at C.I.C. (8:00 am)

Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce 23-28 Ag Tent at County Fair

10:00 am- 10:00 pm

Tiffin Area Chamber of Commerce 9

Membership Meeting 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, 19 W. Market St., Suite C. Lunch is $10.

RSVP by calling 419-447-4141 or e-mailing info@tiffinchamber.com.

10

Small Business Basics Seminar A free, two-hour seminar register contact Bill Auxter 800-826-2431 or 419-559-2210 or by e-mail at bauxter@terra.edu

11

Educators’ Appreciation Breakfast 7:30 am Outstanding Educator Award presented.

Community Civic Center.

RSVP

12

Ambassador Meeting 11:30 am, Chamber Please RSVP.

13

Downtown Tiffin Farmers Market 9 am to 1 pm.

South Washington St. between E. Perry St. and E. Market St.

16

After Five & Ribbon Cutting North Central Ohio ESC 5 to 7 p.m.

928 W Market St. Ribbon Cutting at 5:45 pm.

Please RSVP

23

Tiffin Area Safety Council 11:30 am at Camden Falls

Vermilion Chamber of Commerce 4

Taste of German's 6 -8 p.m.

3330 Liberty Ave

5-7

Vermilion Citywide Merchant Sidewalk Sale

7, 14, 21,28

Concerts in the Park (Victory Park, Ohio and Main Street) 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

North Coast Business Journal

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August 2011

Local Business Recognized for Creating Forty Jobs in Norwalk

By SCOTT SEITZ Reflector Staff Writer sseitz@norwalkreflector.com A Norwalk high-tech business continues to thrive in these somewhat sluggish economic times.

The local BackOffice DataFactory, led by Bill Thomas, is located at 16 Executive Drive.

“They started with about five employees in 2009 and have grown to nearly 40 employees,” said Ellen Heinz, Norwalk economic development director.

BackOffice Associates, a multimillion-dollar, Massachusetts-based data technology company that’s privately owned by a husband-andwife team, has created 40 jobs in the town of Norwalk through their DataFactory located in the area, according to a press release.

BackOffice Associates, founded by Trish and Tom Kennedy in 1997, is a $120 million data technology business.

They offer data migration, master data management and data governance solutions to customers such as ExxonMobile, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods and many more that are running on SAP, Orcale, PeopleSoft, etc. ERP systems.

In simple terms, they help big companies manage, make sense of and transfer all of their data.

The DataFactory part of the business is located in Norwalk and is the cloudbased data migration part of their business. This part of the operation helps companies transfer

their data from one management system to another via software as a service.

On June 1, Mayor Sue Lesch and Heinz greeted Trish Kennedy, the

company CEO, and Tom Kennedy, the company CTO and brains behind the technology, to thank them for their contributions.

“We are thrilled to have this outstanding high-tech company here in Norwalk,” Heinz added. “We feel so fortunate to have the Kennedys and Bill Thomas invest in our community and create these quality jobs,” she said.

Lesch was also excited to talk about the success of the business.

“It’s just a wonderful addition to the city’s business base,” the mayor said. “These are high-tech, good paying jobs that are attracting young professionals.

“We are grateful to Bill Thomas for saying, ‘Let’s do this in Norwalk Ohio,’” she said.

Reprinted with the permission of Mr. Seitz and the Norwalk Reflector

YOUR BUSINESS FUTURE IS BUILT ON BORROWING DECISIONS YOU MAKE RIGHT ABOUT…NOW. As a business owner, you face tough decisions every day. Like deciding if and when you should borrow. A Huntington Business Banker can help.

Now is the time to reach out. At Huntington Business Banking, we take the time to understand your specific business needs and help you make borrowing decisions that are right for you. In 2010, we committed to lending $4 billion to local businesses over a three-year period, so if you decide you’re ready, we’ll be there to support you every step of the way.

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12 August 2011

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IT

PC Vacation Tips

By Don Knaur Every year, I see evidence of people giving their PC’s a vacation from mid May until August. I notice a definite slow down in business from just after Mother’s Day until August 1st, which seems to coincide with school vacations. People may be having trouble with their PC’s, but are too busy with outdoor activities to worry about fixing them. Then on August 1st, when the Back-to-School sales hit their peak, all of a sudden everyone wants their PC’s fixed ASAP! Guess what, due to this influx, your PC will probably sit in a shop for one to three weeks. While I know it’s too late to do anything about it this year, at least you will understand what’s happening.

Another summer vacation issue is that people don’t worry about their anti-virus coverage, because they think since the PC isn’t being used much, there isn’t anything to worry about. Wrong! It only takes visiting one infected Web Site to start a major infection. Once the infection is started, you don’t need to be surfing

the net for more damage to be done.

If your PC is running and is attached to a router or a cable/DSL modem, the infection can and will invite its friends in to play with it. I just cleaned over 200 infected files out of a PC that had supposedly not been on the Internet since it had been cleaned out over a year ago. Hmmm.

So, even if you are taking a vacation from your PC, don’t let it take a vacation from updating its anti-virus software and scanning your PC. Vacation time is also a dangerous time for PC’s. The two biggest enemies of PC’s are heat and lightning. Unfortunately, vacation time is usually the hottest time of the year that also yields the most unexpected and prolific thunderstorms. There are some simple procedures to follow in order to protect your PC from these problems: Even if you physically cleaned your PC during Spring Cleaning, unplug it and take the vacuum cleaner to the inside just to get rid of any accumulated pet hair and dust mites.

Make sure you have your PC plugged

into a good surge protector, which includes phone line protection if you are still using the phone for faxing or the Internet. Many a good machine has been severely damaged by the type of nasty storms we’ve been experiencing.

To prevent heat damage, shut your PC off when it is not going to be used over the next several hours.

Unplug your PC while you home for a vacation.

If your PC is housed in a cabinet, make sure it is open enough to allow for good airflow while the PC is running.

Once you’re back from vacation, the first thing you should do is take care of the vacation pictures. Upload your pictures from your camera to your PC. For ease handling, you should make a folder in your Pictures folder with a name such as “July42011 trip” that makes the contents easily recognized. Immediately after loading the pictures on your PC, you should burn the pictures on a CD or DVD disk for back-up purposes. Hard drives can and sometimes do die with no warning. If you have emptied

New Business in Norwalk Helps Seniors Remain Independent Seniors Helping Seniors®­ a new business serving Norwalk and surrounding communities wants to help you, or someone you love, stay as safe and independent as possible with our In-Home Care services. It provides services for seniors by seniors to help them live with dignity and respect and remain independent.

Seniors Helping Seniors started with the simple concept that seniors can help each other age better, and that those who give and those who receive benefit equally.

The service helps support families with personal care

needs, overnight stays, and 24-hour assistance as well as Alzheimer’s, dementia and respite care. Services also include transportation, meal preparation, companionship, yard work, and handyman projects.

The goal of Seniors Helping Seniors is to be the resource that the community can depend on for honesty, dependability, superior service, fair pricing and a real friend. There are no packages, minimum hours or contracts.

It states it will carefully match prospects with a senior who will help them as much, or as little as needed.

Janet McGarvey (left) along with her friend Alice Iseminger, expanded Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Services into Huron county because of their desire to provide assistance to seniors and their families in the community.

your camera’s disk onto your PC and an unbacked-up hard drive dies, your pictures will probably be only a memory. Since lost pictures are the number one regret in 90% of the dead hard drives I have dealt with, spending less than a dollar for a permanent back-up seems to me to be cheap insurance.

I hope these tips will ensure you and your PC will have a good vacation and be with us next month as we celebrate work (labor) Day. Don is the CWO (Chief Working Officer) of Help-Desk, Ohio, a complete computer service center, located in Suite A of the Courtlee Interiors’ Building, 2499 W. Market in Tiffin.

Don has a degree in Computer Programming from Tiffin University and has been an Information Technology Professional for over 23 years. He started Help-Desk, Ohio in the spring of 1996 and opened his shop in March 2001. Don welcomes calls for advice or information at 419448-8020.

NEDC, from Page 5 Gardner’s SuperValu invested in building renovations and is considering additional future projects Christie Lane Industries’ Document Scanning and Destruction grew tremendously in 2010, with document destruction sales growing 23% in FY 2010 The Suhr Family Park was completed in 2011 and the ribbon cutting ceremony took place in June. The event and was celebrated along with the Main Street Norwalk’s 10th anniversary as a certified Heritage Ohio program The Foundry Project was completed within the past year and the site is now being marketed for targeted re-development opportunities Four industrial buildings were purchased and have been renovated. They are now ready for development opportunities and showcase updated, available space of 20,000 sq. ft., 43,000 sq. ft., 88,000 sq. ft., and 92,000 sq. ft.

A large office building has also been recently purchased and is now available for new development opportunities

North Coast Business Journal

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August 2011

13

Norwalk City Schools: Meeting New Challenges Submitted by Dennis Doughty Superintendent The 2010-2011 school year has come to a close and our staff members have done a tremendous job of bringing educational opportunities to the community.

This has been an exciting year, filled with challenges and accomplishments.

In this day and age, change becomes inevitable as we find ways to manage an ever increasingly tight budget coupled with more requirements for our students and staff. It seems that doing more with less is the mantra that all schools face today. The additional requirements of the Ohio Department of Education along with funding issues have caused some key changes for the elementary schools in the Norwalk School District.

Beginning next school year, the district will be focused on frontloading our educational program by consolidating our students by grade level in particular buildings.

This consolidation or clustering will allow our grade level teachers to teach their respective students their curriculum with greater efficiency, fidelity and with an intense focus. By finding ways to approach education in a special focus at a particular grade level, we will be able to more easily adopt the new academic standards, new model curriculum and prepare our students for the new altered assessments in the very near future.

As a school district, teachers had to be re-assigned to new buildings, teaching materials were moved to appropriate buildings and technology expanded to support each building equally. The custodial and maintenance staff was able to accomplish this move while completing all the other necessary jobs that a school district faces during the summer months. While this consolidation of grade levels is new for the Norwalk City Schools, it has been successfully implemented by schools in this area.

This is an exciting and

challenging time for public education.

The board, administration and staff believe this change will enhance and embrace the uniqueness of our students while saving the district almost a ½ million dollars. The ability to focus on individual student needs is greatly enhanced through this new educational programming.

Equally exciting for the Norwalk City Schools are the results from the annual assessments completed by the Ohio Department of Education. Results from this testing demonstrates the excellent teaching staff that currently supports the districts. The results received by the district show that 96.2% (25 of 26 indicators) of the state level indicators were achieved by the district with a Performance Index of 99. This qualifies the Norwalk City Schools for a rating of an EXCELLENT DISTRICT for the third year in a row.

Individual schools in the district did equally as well with 5 of 6 buildings achieving the coveted rating of EXCELLENT, as well.

Five of six schools had a performance index of over 100, which is a tremendous accomplishment.

Athletically, the Norwalk City Schools were also very successful with the high school winning five Northern Ohio League Titles this school year. Norwalk won the championships in volleyball, wrestling, boys basketball, boys tennis and baseball. The athletic and academic success of the Norwalk programs mirrors the tremendous work ethic being demonstrated by staff and students alike.

Trust the expert, caring hands of Mercy physicians.

Mercy Tiffin Hospital welcomes Steven Bruhl, MD, MS to the Mercy Family. Dr. Bruhl will begin accepting patients at Mercy Cardiology Specialists on August 22.

Steven Bruhl, MD, MS

Dr. Bruhl earned his medical degree and completed his residency as a Categorical Intern/Resident with the Department of Internal Medicine at Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, Ohio. He earned a Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship from the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Toledo Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. Dr. Bruhl is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Cardiologist

In addition to providing general cardiac care, his areas of clinical interest include cardio-renal syndrome, therapeutic hypothermia and three-dimensional echocardiography.

Dr. Bruhl will also provide cardiac consultations, standard and stress echocardiograms, electrocardiograms (EKGs), holter monitors,standard and nuclear stress tests, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), tilt table tests, and 30-day event recorders.

To schedule an appointment, please call 419.455.7480.

Mercy Cardiology Specialists (located in Mercy Tiffin Hospital) 45 St. Lawrence Drive, Tiffin, OH 44883 St. Anne St. Charles St. Vincent Children’s Defiance Tiffin Willard ©2011 Mercy

14 August 2011

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FTMC: Ever-Changing, Ever-Growing, Ever-Serving Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk has a strong tradition of investing in the latest medical technologies, maintaining an experienced and skilled workforce, bringing the highest quality physicians to the area, and expanding services and facilities to meet the needs of the communities it serves by providing safe, quality care and state-ofthe-art, cutting edge technology to patients.

For more than half a century, Fisher-Titus Medical Center has delivered the highest quality health care to our families, friends and neighbors living in Huron County and the surrounding areas. FisherTitus is reaching out to residents in its service area in an effort to increase awareness of its enhanced community health service capabilities as an alldigital Cerner smart community hospital.

According to Fisher-Titus president and chief executive officer, Patrick J. Martin, the medical center is better equipped than ever before to provide residents with the health care and support services they need.

“Our integrated digital technologies, in conjunction with the skill and dedication of our Fisher-Titus team, create a truly special healing environment MARTIN

o o w m l at he West Campus

for our patients. It’s unlike anything else in our region. In fact, as the first all-digital Cerner smart community hospital in the country, we’re really at the forefront of innovative patient care nationwide.”

Providing Simply Smarter Care…

From women’s health services and 24-hour emergency care to the latest medical technology and surgical techniques, Fisher-Titus offers quality health care to area families.

“Fisher-Titus considers the impact on our community in all the major strategic decisions we make,” Martin said. “Fisher-Titus Medical Center has a strong tradition of investing in the latest medical technologies, maintaining an experienced and skilled workforce, bringing the highest quality physicians to our area, and expanding services and facilities to meet the needs of the communities we serve by providing safe, quality care and state-ofthe-art, cutting edge technology to our patients.”

“Fisher-Titus has been proactive over the years in developing programs and services that allow local residents to access services where they live rather than leaving the community for them.”

In the last decade, FTMC established programs in diabetes prevention, wound healing, pain management, plastic surgery as well as creating

s pr in g

state-of-the-art centers for inpatient care, rehabilitation, cancer care, and heart and vascular services. In 2010, the Medical Center partnered with Cerner Corporation, a leading international health-care technology corporation, to upgrade and integrate information technology systems making them the first all-digital “smart” community hospital in the nation.

“Through careful fiscal management, diligent work of our board of directors, and the commitment of our outstanding medical staff and employees, we have been able to bring physicians, specialties and new services to our area to meet the health needs of our community now, and well into the future,” Martin said.

47-Acre Health & Wellness Campus

An accident or sudden illness can strike at anytime! If extended hospitalization and rehabilitation services are required, Just Remember To Ask For The Springs!

Specialty/LTAC Hospital: Long-Term Acute Care & rehabilitation

services for those who have suffered severe injuries, strokes, or illnesses that require extended acute care. Spinal Cord, Traumatic Brain Injury & Vent Weaning programs. Inpatient dialysis.

Nursing Care: Skilled Nursing Unit specializing in Orthopedic Surgery

Post-Operative Care. Onsite therapy services. Spacious, private & semiprivate rooms, chef prepared meals, computer lounge, large screen TV’s, activity center, and caring staff ready to assist you in your recovery!

Outpatient Therapy Services: Physical, Occupational, Speech & Aquatic Therapy. Hearing Services. Onsite Certified Hand & Back Specialists. 30’ x 40’ warm-water therapy pool. Therapy services provided 6 days a week.

Just a short drive from everywhere!

On SR 19 in Green Springs, OH

419-639-2626

elmwoodatthesprings.com

Future Plans for Fisher-Titus During an official groundbreaking ceremony in June, Fisher-Titus announced its newest project, a $12.5 million expansion of emergency, admitting and outpatient laboratory services.

“Our Emergency Room expansion project will allow Fisher-Titus Medical Center to re-engineer the ER patient process—from admission and registration to the delivery of care to ensure the best outcomes and the best overall experience for our patients and their families,” Martin said.

The project will include a new emergency department with 11 treatment rooms (including universal rooms and rooms to accommodate women’s health and behavioral health needs), four trauma rooms, a clinical decision unit with a nurses’ station and four observation rooms, a rapid treatment area and a triage area. In addition, there will be an expanded registration/admitting reception area with four private registration rooms, an updated

See FTMC, Page 31

North Coast Business Journal

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August 2011

15

Financial The U.S. Debt Limit: Questions and Answers The Gildenmeister Wealth Management Group of Raymond James Douglas Gildenmeister Senior Vice President, Investments Retirement Plan Consultant As August 2 approaches, you’ll likely hear increasingly urgent debate over the nation’s debt ceiling. That’s the approximate date by which the Treasury estimates it will no longer be able to borrow under the current $14.3 trillion limit.

Treasury officials have warned that if the Treasury can no longer borrow money, the U.S. might default on its existing obligations--in other words, be unable to make payments it already owes, whether those be for Treasury securities or government programs.

President Obama, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke have warned that not raising the debt limit would have severe consequences. Leaders of both parties have said that the issue must be addressed, and have put forward proposals for tying any increase to tackling the country’s budget deficit. However, they differ on how to begin to reduce that deficit.

While the debate is taking place right now, here are some answers to frequently asked questions that might help you understand the issues involved.

What is the debt ceiling?

The debt ceiling represents a limit on the amount the U.S. Treasury is allowed to borrow to manage the national debt (the total amount currently owed by the U.S. government). Before World War I, Congress often approved the terms of individual debt instruments issued by the Treasury to pay for spending authorized

by Congress, including maturities, interest rates, and the types of financial instruments used.

Eventually, members decided in 1939 to set an overall limit on the total amount the Treasury

could borrow to pay the nation’s bills without congressional authorization.

An increase in the debt limit does not authorize additional governmental spending; only Congress can approve future spending. However, Treasury officials have said that if the limit is not raised, the government would not be able to pay bills that have already been incurred. According to the Congressional Research Service (an arm of Congress), the debt ceiling has been increased 78 times since 1960 (10 times just since 2001), under both Democratic and Republican administrations.

The national debt has two aspects. Debt held by the public occurs when investors buy debt instruments sold by the Treasury to finance budget deficits and pay bills; it represents almost twothirds of the current debt. Debt held by government accounts is created when the Treasury borrows from government accounts such as the Social Security, Medicare and Transportation trust funds.

What would happen if the debt ceiling isn’t raised?

There’s no way to know the precise or full impact, since a default on the country’s obligations is unprecedented in U.S. history. However, the Treasury is responsible for payment of a broad range of obligations that include not only Treasury bonds, notes, and bills, but also Social Security and Medicare benefits, military salaries, interest on the current national debt, and tax refunds, to name only a few.

Technically, the $14.3 trillion ceiling was exceeded in May. However, the Treasury has been able to use certain accounting measures to temporarily extend the nation’s ability to borrow.

Bond rating agencies have already warned that an interruption in or curtailing of payments owed by the U.S. government would harm the nation’s credit rating, which is currently among the highest in the world. If that happened, or if the country actually had to default or foreign investors would likely demand higher interest rates for buying

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day approximately 1,000 eye injuries did you know? Every occur in American workplaces.

Treasury securities.

Those higher interest rates would increase the country’s borrowing costs, making the national debt problem even worse in the long term. They might also result in higher interest rates for other, nongovernmental loans such as mortgages, which some observers worry could hamper economic recovery. And even if there were technically no default, the mere absence of an agreement that addresses the issue before August 2 would likely raise the global anxiety level substantially.

Haven’t we survived government shortfalls in the past?

Governmental funding gaps have occurred more than a dozen times in the last three decades, according to the Congressional Research Service.

The most recent was in 1995-1996, when the failure of the Clinton administration and the Republican-led Congress to reach agreement on a spending bill led to a temporary government-wide shutdown. However, never in the country’s history has it failed to pay its legal obligations-one reason why Treasury securities have historically been considered one of the safest investments in the world.

This information was developed by Forefield, Inc. an independent third party. It is general in nature, is not a complete statement of all information necessary for making an investment decision, and is not a recommendation or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investments and strategies mentioned may not be suitable for all investors.

Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC does not provide advice on tax, legal or mortgage issues. These matters should be discussed with an appropriate professional.

Prepared by Forefield Inc. Copyright 2011

Flickinger Insurance Commercial Health Personal Insurance Save with confidence

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16 August 2011

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17

Saving Sanity Sanity Everyday Everyday Saving A national logistics and transportation company viewed technology as a necessary evil. A key staff member in payables/receivables was asked to maintain their IT department as a secondary task.

Her days were being consumed with IT requests and issues, affecting her primary responsibilities.

On top of that, their software support contact often provided answers that needed translating or offered empty promises.

Advanced Computer Connections improved how technology was used their infastructure and bridged the communication gap with the software provider. The client chose ACC’s MyNet™ Total Care so they could focus on serving their clients and ACC took care of the IT day-to-day support.

When you’re a MyNet customer, ACC is ready to save the day! Please contact us to find out how we can help your company.

Programs include: • Camp Good Grief weeklong day camp • Support groups for children and adolescents • Individual and family grief counseling • Traumatic/complicated grief assessment and intervention • Grief education and crisis response for schools

Stein Hospice offers assistance to children for all types of loss, free and available to anyone in the community.

Call 1-800-625-5269 or visit www.steinhospice.org for more information.

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419-668-4080 • acc-corp.net • sales@acc-corp.net • 166 Milan Ave, Norwalk

18 August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Sales Accountability

By Roger Bostdorff

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Good things happen when you have a dedicated business banker working hard for you. When your business finances run efficiently and effectively, you have the freedom to focus on the big picture – whether that means differentiating your business in today’s tight market or laying plans to reach the next level of business growth.

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Call us today at 419.332.7301 or 888.276.4426 and ask for your local business banker.

B2B Sales Boost recently had a consulting engagement where the company wanted to increase their competitiveness and profitability. We discussed how we could determine our best options. I suggested that we identify a subset of their employees to talk with. Who to better make suggestions as to how to improve a company’s competitiveness and profitability than the employees working for the company? To the credit of the President of this company he decided to not talk with a subset of his employees but rather to talk with each and every one of his employees. He recognized that they would have the best ideas and observations since they are in the trenches every day. It was a very good decision on his part and represented a significant investment of his employee’s time. However, it also showed that he valued ALL of his employee’s views and opinions.

Some of the feedback from the team was that the majority of the employees were significant contributors. However, there was a perception that some small number of employees were not contributing like they could or should be.

Let me ask you a question. What happens to the morale of a company if the employees feel that some are carrying the cargo and others are not? That some employees must work extra hard or extra hours to cover for the employees that are not doing their job? What happens to the work habits of the good workers if nothing is done regarding discipline of the slackers?

Is the throughput/productivity of the entire team negatively impacted even more severely over time? You bet it is!!

We put in place an evaluation process where each employee would be evaluated on every job by the job supervisor. They would be evaluated on a 1-5 range.

1=Results achieved far exceeded the requirements of the job in all areas 2=Results achieved consistently exceeded the requirements of the job in all key areas

3. Results achieved consistently met the requirements of the job and exceeded the requirements in many areas 4. Results achieved consistently met the requirements of the job Unsatisfactory 5. Results achieved did not meet the requirements of the job Like Golf the lower the score the better the evaluation.

If the employee worked for multiple job supervisors they would be evaluated multiple times and the evaluations would be averaged.

The results of these evaluations would have an impact on potential raises (someone rated a “1” would receive a larger raise and in less time than someone rated a “4.”)

Without management doing these evaluations the slackers keep on slacking.

Worse, the good workers performance ends up moving in the direction of the slackers since they see there are no negative repercussions for doing so.

Therefore, not only are we now holding all of the employees accountable, but we are rewarding the ones that are most contributing to the competitiveness and profitability of the company. Isn’t that the way it should work?

Is your company as competitive as it should be? Which way is your profit margin headed? What are you doing about it?

Roger Bostdorff is the President of B2B Sales Boost, LLC. He spent over 30 years with IBM in sales and sales management.

B2B Sales Boost is a consulting company helping organizations improve their sales and overall business processes. You can find more about B2B Sales Boost on the web at www.b2bsalesboost.com or calling 419-351-4347. If you would like to receive the B2B Sales Boost Newsletter please send an email to sales@b2bsalesboost.com

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The Well-Booked Business

By Cathy Allen Dear Readers, Several of you have remarked to me in recent months that you have picked up and read one of the books I’ve featured here in this column. I am always delighted hear it. On occasion, I even receive a recommendation for a book that someone in my circle found valuable. Now, I’d like to hear from more of you. I have posted on my website a one-question survey: “What is the best business, management or leadership book you have ever read?”

Please visit www.creativeoptionc.com and register your opinion. I’ll add the most voted for books to my reading list and feature them in future columns.

One would think that supporting the creativity of its employees would be an especially high priority at a corporation like Hallmark. Their people make greeting cards, after all, and must keep coming up with new and interesting ways to say happy birthday, congratulations or thank you. Well, according to the author of this month’s book, who worked at Hallmark for over 30 years, anyone who thinks that is mistaken. Hallmark is subject to all the same historical rules, stultifying norms, and soulkilling expectations found in every other corporation or organization, large or small.

Individuals wishing to maintain their originality and preserve their creative spark must take it upon themselves to resist the huge gravitational pull of corporate sameness. They must orbit the hairball, but not get sucked in...

Orbiting the Giant Hairball: A Corporate Fool’s Guide to Surviving with Grace by Gordon MacKenzie, Viking Penguin, 1998 Summary: Every one of us is born with a creative genius that, generally speaking, is squished nearly out of existence as we go through school and work life. The pressure to be normal, to fit in and behave appropriately causes most of us to shun our own original impulses, often even ceasing to wonder how norms came to be in the first place. The mass of rules, conventions and expectations found within any business become the “hairball” exerting its influence over each individual. To be successful, one must find a way to orbit that hairball... to stay within its gravitational field but not be flattened by it.

Key Learnings: • JC Hall founded his greeting card company more than 100 years ago and his “first two business decisions were also the first two hairs of the hairball that was to become Hallmark.”

This is true for every business, organization, agency or family. Once a norm is established, compliance is expected. More norms mean more mass for the hairball, and more pressure to conform.

• Creative people can remain part of organizations, even contribute to the advancement of common goals, by “orbiting” – vigorously exploring innovative options that move outside the corporate policies, procedures, and cultural norms while still respecting their existence. Of course, being genuine and following your own light requires abundant personal courage. This balancing act is not for everybody.

• One of the most prevalent expectations found in the business world is to be busy... stressed, overextended and tired from long hours of overtime. Those who enjoy their jobs and accomplish their work goals easily are under enormous pressure to martyr themselves as their colleagues have done, even as creativity is sacrificed.

To be happy and relaxed at work is not normal – but imagination flourishes in a quiet mind.

August 2011

• A commonly-advanced method of artificially fostering creativity is an off-site and/or off-hours retreat-type meeting, with team-building exercises and facilitated discussions. But when participation in these events is coerced, and rules are established by a workshop leader, creativity is not unleashed but instead is dampened. The retreat has become its own hairball.

• After learning from a colleague how to move forward creatively without ruffling feathers or expending too much emotional energy, MacKenzie wrote a little poem: Any time a bureaucrat (i.e., custodian of the system) Stands between you And something you need or want, Your challenge is to help that bureaucrat Discover a means, Harmonious with the system, To meet your need.

See WELL-BOOKED, Page 23

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Legal Most people believe that a revocable living trust is only necessary for individuals with large estates. They understand the purpose of this trust is to save on estate taxes. Property ownership is another important reason for a trust. If a family owns property in more than one county in Ohio or more than one state, then a trust could save a tremendous amount of time and money. The use of a trust can also avoid the probate process.

How Does A Revocable Living Trust Avoid Probate?

Regardless of the specific types of property that a decedent may have, all property will be either probate or nonprobate property. Probate property is all the property that must pass through the probate process because it is in the INDIVIDUAL name of the deceased and it is necessary to change ownership of the property. This effects real estate, motor vehicles and bank accounts held in an individual’s name.

Nonprobate property is all other property. Property held in a revocable living trust is nonprobate property because the individual does not directly own it. Since the property is no longer owned by the individual but rather by the trustee, it does not need to pass through the probate administration.

Why Does it Matter Where the Property is Located?

Each county has jurisdiction over the real property located in that county in Ohio. The original probate of the will is filed in the county where the individual maintained his residence. The will is filed in the court, made open to the public and notice is given to all necessary parties. All probate assets are inventoried, appraised, and the real estate can only be transfered upon approval of the probate judge. If you live in Franklin County and also own a home in Ottawa County, then documents need to be filed in both counties. The same is true if you own property in Ohio and any other State.

The main documents are filed in the county of residence in Ohio, but authenticated papers from that court need to be filed in the county seat of the county where property is located in the other state.

What is an Ancilliary Probate?

Since each county and state has jurisdiction over its real estate, then the probate judge of that county must approve of the transfer. If this is not done then the title may be defective upon the next transfer. In Ohio, this means that the necessary documents showing the will and who shall inherit are filed in each county. Proof is also given as to the appointment of the executor and that any taxes due are paid. If you own property in Ohio and Florida, the process is even more cumbersome. You will need an attorney licensed to practice in Ohio and an attorney licensed to practice in Florida.

Each state has its own rules and procedure to perfect title and transfer the title from one person to another. If you have property in more than one county, then you would need an ancillary proceeding in each Florida County. Ancillary probate can be particularly frustrating in situations where low-valued property requires relatively high fees because of regional red tape.

I Understand that States have Simplified or Informal Probate Laws?

All states differ as to the formality of their probate laws. Many states have adopted probate laws that reduce some of the requirements of the traditional probate (e.g., court hearings) but each require knowing the law and hiring someone in that state to assist to perfect the title to the real estate. Also, a probate that begins as an informal process can instantly become a very formal probate once the slightest problem occurs.

How Does a Revocable Living Trust Help?

When a revocable living trust is property funded, neither probate in the state of domicile nor ancillary probate proceedings in the other state are necessary because the assets are held and owned by the trust. This means that the title to the real estate in not personally in the name of the deceased but rather in the name of the trustee of the trust who did not die. The named successor trustee may transfer ownership in accordance with the terms of the trust without the approval of the probate judge. Technically, the person dies without owning the property so there is no reason to ask the judge for permission to transfer.

Florida has rules relating to creditor protection but the procedure is not

21

possible future articles.

Three Counties, Two States = A Trust

By Jeff Roth

August 2011

complicated. If a person has title to a small tract of ground for his trailer in Florida and also to the title to the trailer, a will may prove very costly and time consuming. Placing the titles into a trust would have provided a way to transfer the land and trailer at minimum cost.

To have a trust is not to say there are no expenses in the transfer process but the time and ease of transfer can be well worth the creation of the trust.

There are many non-tax reasons for a trust and out of state ownership of real estate is one very valid example.

If you have questions in areas of law relating to estate planning or business succession planning please submit them to ohiofloridatrust@aol.com for

Jeff Roth is a partner with Forrest Bacon, David Bacon and associate Jessica Moon of the firm ROTH and BACON with offices in Port Clinton, Upper Sandusky, Marion, Ohio and Fort Myers, Florida. All members of the firm are licensed in the State of Florida. Mr. Roth’s practice is limited to wealth strategy planning and elder law in both states. Nothing in this article is intended for, nor should be relied upon as individual legal advice.

The purpose of this article is to help educate the public on concepts of law as they pertain to estate and business planning. If you have any questions you would like to have answered in this area of law, please direct your question to this journal and your question will be considered for use as the topic of subsequent articles. Jeff Roth can be reached at ohiofloridatrust@aol.com (telephone: 419-732-9994) copyright Jeffrey P. Roth 2011.

NOMS Healthcare Introduces Psychological Services (Under the direction of Dr. SheaLynne A. Baus)

NOMS Psychological Services offers specialized treatment for children, adolescents, adults and their families.

• Diagnostic evaluation • Treatment - Emotional, Behavioral, Personality, Academic, Occupational, and Psychosomatic concerns

• Psychological testing to aid diagnosis and treatment planning for: - Cognitive delay/advancement, Learning disorders, ADHD, Mood disorders, Personality issues, Medical procedure approval/preparation, and Professional collaboration

• Sport psychology

Call 419-624-1277

to schedule an appointment.

P s y ch o l o g i c a l s e r v i c e s SheaLynne A. Baus, Psy.D. Elizabeth Goodsite, M.A., P.C.C. 1522 E. Perkins Ave., Suite A • Sandusky • www.nomsdrs.com

22 August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Daniel Herring, D.O., Chief of Staff at The Bellevue Hospital; Mark Pifer, O.D., Hospital Board President; and Michael K. Winthrop, President and CEO, display the Outstanding Patient Experience

Bellevue Hospital in Top 5% Nationally for Patient Experience For the fourth consecutive year The Bellevue Hospital (TBH) has been recognized for its superior patient experience outcomes and has received the 2011 HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™. And this puts TBH in a very elite group.

TBH is the only hospital from Ohio and one of only 42 hospitals to be in the Top 5% in the U.S. four years in a row.

An analysis of patient surveys at U.S. hospitals by HealthGrades found that The Bellevue Hospital was ranked in the top 5%, and as a result, received the 2011 HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™. The surveys were given to patients shortly after their discharge to ascertain their experience on a range of issues, from communication with doctors and nurses to cleanliness and pain management.

The Bellevue Hospital was the only recipient of the HealthGrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award in the four county area of Huron, Erie, Sandusky and Seneca counties.

There are a select group of hospitals that have made a top-to-bottom commitment to providing their patients with an outstanding patient experience as part of their overall commitment to quality, said Rick May, MD, a HealthGrades vice president. Members of their community should take pride in knowing that, should they need it, there's a hospital in their area that puts patients first.

The surveys are standardized and issued to patients after leaving the hospital as part of the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) initiative from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Huron County Job & Family Services: Keeping Busy in 2011 Building employer relationships has been a crucial focus in 2011. The workforce development case managers have done a great job helping job seekers identify their barriers to employment and then assist them in developing an individual plan for success.

Our goal as case managers is to do what we can to secure quick, permanent employment and provide resources in the interim. In order to be successful our interactions with employers need to be consistent and helpful so our job seekers can be their next new hires.

Included below are snapshots of some new and transformed offerings to our employers.

• NEWSLETTERS — We began the Workforce Wire in January 2011 and released our 3rd edition in July. This quarterly newsletter keeps employers up to date on

grants we have to offer, free employer services through our Job Store and information about our staff providing these services.

• BUSINESS MATTERS FORUMS – These forums are designed to bring employers together to stay informed about grant opportunities, network with each other, and tell us what they need when hiring. It is critical that our job seekers are prepared when an opportunity presents itself.

We want to hear directly from employers regarding their needs and frustrations during the recruitment and hiring process. With two successful forums under our belt we look forward to the next one scheduled for Wednesday, August 17th at 9:00.

Work Experience - Through the Work Experience Program (WEP), employers have the opportunity to obtain quality

work at no cost while providing experience and training to job seekers. This form of community outreach not only benefits the participating employer but the community as a whole.

More and more job seekers become qualified to join the workforce as a result of the experience and skills learned in this partnership. We have work experience opportunities for our adult job seekers as well as those in our YOUth Connection program that are just beginning their workforce journey.

• ON-THE-JOB TRAINING NATIONAL EMERGENCY GRANT (OJT-NEG) — This grant will reimburse the employee’s wages at 50% while they are training on the job up to $8,000 or 1040 hours or 6 months. Your business must be a targeted industry (90% of companies

Credit Union Still “On Track,” Serving Area’s Financial Needs Firelands Federal Credit Union had its humble beginnings at the railroad in 1955 in Bellevue, when seven Nickel Plate employees joined together to form a financial savings club. Each of them put in $5 to $10 and they applied for a charter from the federal government. Bellevue Terminal Credit Union began April, 1957; Norwalk Area Federal Credit Union began in 1949; Crawford Community Credit Union began in 1968. Firelands Federal Credit Union is a merger of all three of the credit unions listed above. Bellevue merged with Norwalk in 1999 to become Firelands and Firelands merged with Crawford Community in 2005.

Firelands Federal Credit Union is one of the top performing, more profitable Credit Unions in this area and ranks very well on a national level. It currently employs 84 employees, with 24 working in the Norwalk branch. Over the last year, the Credit Union has experienced over 7% growth in assets and

employment.

The Credit Union is involved in its communities. The Credit Union and its employees support various causes thru sponsorships and donations, with employees actively participating in various charitable organizations including, Kiwanis, Rotary and Salvation Army.

Its offices in Bellevue, Norwalk, Bucyrus and Galion have combined assets of $195 million and currently serve over 26,000 members. The Credit Union provides a complete range of financial services including savings and checking accounts, mortgage and consumer loans, IRAs, youth accounts, convenient online services and much more! Our services are available to both, individual and small business members.

To join Firelands Federal Credit Union you must live, work, worship or attend school in Huron or Crawford Counties. Its field of membership also extends into parts of Sandusky, Erie and Seneca Counties.

in Ohio qualify) and you must hire a dislocated worker.

Our agency will determine if your business is a targeted industry and do all of the eligibility for the dislocated worker. There is minimal paperwork and we can walk you through the process step by step. The paperwork and eligibility determination must be complete prior to the employee’s start date.

• RAPID RESPONSE — When layoffs are unavoidable, the Huron County Rapid Response Team provides vital services to both the affected workers and their communities. As soon as the team receives a WARN notice, phone call from the employer or any other type of notification, we can assess what services the workers need and then provide those services, either nearby or on site.

All rapid response services are free. Staff can

WELL-BOOKED, from Page 19 • The urge to say “no” to new ideas is too strong for most people to resist, particularly where some success has already been achieved within existing norms. Whenever “we have always done it this way” has proceeded smoothly enough, new approaches are threatening – and those who offer them are vigorously resisted. Creative sparks are never completely extinguished, however, and rarely require more than the tiniest bit of encouragement to flourish. Even when the boss says no, and the bureaucrats say no, a co-worker saying “that’s interesting” can keep an idea alive until its day arrives.

• Here is the entirety of Chapter 19 of this original little book: “Orrville Wright did not have a pilot’s license.”

• Being original can be dysfunctional. It can lead to isolation and feelings of unhappiness with self and others.

MacKenzie recommends making friends with someone who will listen without judgment as we talk about our efforts to follow our muse and to make innovative contributions at work.

Don’t ask for help solving the

help workers with skill assessment, basic skills training, individual career counseling, short and longterm occupational training, job seeking and placement assistance. All information discussed with the team can remain confidential until the employer notifies the employees.

We are eagerly awaiting new partnerships with employers and are diligently work to solidify existing relationships.

Please continue to provide us valuable feedback so we may continue to be victorious in connecting job seekers and employers.

To receive additional information or to join our e-mail or newsletter lists, just contact Karmen Ross, Business Services Representative, via e-mail at rossk07@odjfs.state.oh.us or by phone at (419) 668-8126 ext. 3457.

problem, because that becomes a hairball, too. Creative sparks ignite in silence... so find someone to sit silently while you talk it through.

Better yet, be that person for others.

Nourish creative genius by resisting the temptation to assist others with their problem solving. Just listen.

• Resistance for resistance’s sake is counterproductive. Don’t fight the hairball, orbit it. Recognize its existence and its ability to command the loyalty of many. Nurture your originality, set your goals and find a unique path forward that is both within and without existing cultural norms. That is more than surviving with grace. That is thriving!

Cathy Allen is the owner of Creative Option C, LLC, a facilitation and organizational development consulting firm in Marblehead. An avid reader and writer, Cathy has posted a series of two-page synopses of classic books in the field of business, leadership and personal development to www.

CreativeOptionC.com. Visitors can sign up to receive a monthly email newsletter full of information about all the latest happenings at Creative Option C.

24 August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

Norwalk’s Oldest “Old” Shop?

Mannino’s on Main, Antiques, Etc., located on Main Street in Norwalk is the oldest antique shop in the city. Established in 1999 with customers located from coast to coast, the business has received great support from local patrons.

At Mannino’s on Main, shoppers find three floors of antiques and collectibles including glassware, primitives, furniture, a Christmas section, local memorabilia, a music area, and a third floor Flea-n-tique. The store also carries items from an average of 20 different dealers.

According to owner Denise Mannino, customers are thrilled to find hidden treasures, like finding an old postcard written by a relative or to a relative. “People can connect to their past, which is a reason why antique shops are so popular.”

Denise Mannino is a certified personal property appraiser and a member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America. The store also offers a wish list service for customers to help them locate an item they are looking for. This popular service has been offered since the store opened over a decade ago.

The shop has been home to several fundraising appraisal events in the past to benefit Uptown Norwalk. Activities have included a ‘roadshowtype’ appraisal, doll appraisal, and coin appraisals.

They have also sponsored and coordinated two antique car shows.

www.ncbj.net

HURON CHAMBER from Page 1 along tempting fate.

Disaster plans are not easy or quick to do and once they are “completed” there’s that darned updating that’s needed at least annually. They really are a pain in the neck, especially since we’ve all cut staff, we’re over worked, too many other items on our to-do list, there’s as many excuses for not having done a disaster plan as there are business. But stop for one moment and think, what if you were one of those businesses that even after ten months, still didn’t have access to your computers. Would you still be in business?

After all the hours, efforts and sacrifices you have made to build your business, isn’t it worth taking the time to build a plan that could save it should a flood, tornado, gas line eruption, sprinkler malfunction, etc., happen? The time to plan for a disaster isn’t in the aftermath, it’s now. There are on-line plans, we used the one at the Institute of Business & Home Insurance, that one should work for most small-medium sized businesses and if any of our large businesses need help getting a plan in place please call our office and we’ll find resources that fit your needs.

It was amazing what the chamber in Christchurch did within 24-48 hours and we have contacted them to get as much information as possible and we will share that with you as we get it. In the meantime, start planning and we’ll all hope we never need to use it.

On a brighter note, the chamber has put a series

Experience Counts

Oak Harbor Farmers’ Market The Oak Harbor Downtown Committee in conjunction with the Oak Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding the first ever Downtown Oak Harbor Farmers’ Market this August. The market will be held on Saturday August 20, 2011 and Saturday August 27, 2011 from 8:00am to 12:00pm. The mission of the market is to help sustain the local economy by providing local farmers, bakers, artisans and other vendors an affordable opportunity to sell their goods to local consumers. We are looking for vendors for the Farmers’ Market in every category.

Along with farm fresh produce, farm market vendors can also provide quality poultry products, fresh baked goods, herbs, fresh cut flowers, all types of plants, fruit, cider, handmade crafts, garden décor, antiques, art, music, jewelry and gourmet food items. Our vision is that we add more dates and expand our vendors and entertainment for this year and future years. If you are interested in being a vendor, you may call the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce at 419898-0479 for more information or visit the chamber of commerce website for an application at www.oakharborohio.net.

of financial seminars in place for this fall starting on September 13th and running into November.

Each Tuesday will feature a different topic presented by one of our financial members. Seminars will be at noon, light lunches will be provided and it’s all free. Our web site will have a complete schedule available soon.

Other upcoming events include a presentation on August 9th at 8:00am by Ohio Edison on their grant program designed to assist businesses with upgrading their lighting to more energy efficient fixtures, lamps, etc. The chamber is currently working on this for our building and it looks like we will qualify for several thousand dollars. If you have a business, large or small, and would like to learn more please join us on August 9th and see how you might be able to take advantage of this opportunity.

Business After Hours at Kasper Chevrolet on August 11th will be a cookout from 5-8pm and all chamber businesses and employees are invited to join in the fun. No RSVP is needed, just stop in and have a burger with your fellow chamber members.

To wrap up August we will once again distribute Teacher bags to every teacher in Huron County.

HC Chamber members are welcome to drop off 1,000 brochure, pens, magnets, coupons, etc., at the office no later than August 12th.

Fall golf at Eagle Creek is September 21st: sign your team up now, drop off door prizes, volunteer for the day, etc.

Want to Improve the Health of Your Business?

With 30 years of experience in occupational health, Firelands Corporate Health Center provides a comprehensive package of occupational and safety services to over 800 companies in the region. Dedicated solely to the practice of occupational health, you can find the level of experience you need to control healthcare costs, meet regulations, and keep your workforce healthy and productive.

To find out more about Firelands Corporate Health Center, call 419-557-5052.

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Firelands Corporate Health Center staff have specialized training & certifications in many areas of occupational health medicine. Our team of physicians holds specialized certifications in the following areas: Certified Medical Review Officers Specialized Certifications in Occupational Health Certified for Ohio BWC Impairment Exams & Independent Medical Exams Medical Examiner for FAA Pilot Exams Certified Physician Supervisor for OSHA Audiology Review

Support Staff Physicians – Over 50 years of combined experience in Occupational Health.

Clinic leadership – Over 35 years of combined experience in Occupational Health Certified Coder Nurse Case Managers for BWC cases Full-time x-ray staff

Additional Services Case management Educational classes Employment physicals & specialized physical exams Fingerprinting And much more.

For timely & accurate reports, call the region’s experienced occupational health provider.

www.ncbj.net

August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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Accounting Put an End to Employee Theft: Creating and Maintaining an Anti-Fraud Environment

By Timothy D. Mayles, CPA, CFE, CFF Director-in-charge, Sandusky office Barnes Wendling CPAs Internal fraud drains hundreds of billions of dollars annually from American businesses, according to some estimates.

More importantly, it’s a major reason why businesses fail.

According to the U.S. Commerce Department, one-third of all business failures can be traced to fraud.

Although companies can experience pilferage from customers, vendors and other sources, employees account for the highest losses, when taking into account offenses such as fraudulent insurance claims, unauthorized time off and theft of proprietary information. Crimes can be as simple as stealing company supplies or as complex as sophisticated financial statement fraud.

More specifically, fraud by managers and key executives generates the highest dollar losses because these employees are in a good position to falsify financial, credential, work-related or testrelated documents for personal gain.

What can your company do to prevent theft? A survey by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners found these seven measures are the most effective: 1. Improve internal controls. For example, do not allow the same employee to keep books, collect funds, write checks and reconcile bank accounts. Arrange for monthly bank statements to be delivered unopened to the company owner, who should review them for unusual transactions, such as declining deposits and checks to unfamiliar parties.

2. Conduct background checks on new employees.

3. Arrange for fraud audits by the company’s outside accountants or an internal audit department. CPAs can conduct regular independent internal control studies of cash accounts, bank statements and other items to detect criminal activity.

4. Be willing to prosecute perpetrators.

Most organizations (71 percent) that are victimized by fraud report the cases to law enforcement.

However, that means a large percentage of cases go unreported. The main reasons these companies took no legal action: They were afraid of bad publicity; reached a private settlement; wanted closure; or considered internal punishment sufficient.

5. Provide ethics training for employees.

Who is Involved?

• The majority of fraud cases were perpetrated by males.

• Men are also associated with a median loss more than twice as great as that caused by women • Intense financial pressure is a key contributing factor to many occupational fraud schemes. Lower-income individuals may be more susceptible to financial pressures and this may contribute to the

high rate of fraud schemes committed by those with under $50,000 in annual income.

• Small businesses are the most vulnerable because of a lack of basic internal control measures.

Educate staff members about the possible sources of fraud and consequences, such as the loss of jobs, raises and profits.

6. Institute anonymous fraud reporting mechanisms, such as hotlines.

Fraud is commonly discovered through tips from employees, vendors, customers or other sources. These people are frequently in a position to see violations of company policies or excessive personal spending by colleagues.

7. Install workplace surveillance devices. For example, a video camera monitoring a loading dock where theft is suspected.

Take a zero-tolerance stand on fraud.

With a few basic procedures in place, internal business theft can be significantly reduced — or even eliminated — so your business can flourish.

To see how your organization rates in the area of fraud prevention, request a copy of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Fraud Prevention Check-Up Booklet by sending an email to tdm@barneswendling.com Timothy D. Mayles, CPA, CFE, CFF is the director-in-charge of the Sandusky office of Barnes Wendling CPAs. He is a CPA and an experienced certified fraud examiner with a strong history of expert-witness testimony. Tim may be contacted at 419.626.3627 or 800.369.6375 or tdm@barneswendling.com.

— Source: 2008 Report from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners SHSncbj0711.pdf

7/22/11

Examine Workplace Environment One important factor in whether or not employees steal is their attitudes. Employees who feel they are treated fairly by their company are less likely to commit fraud.

Many offenses are committed by people who hold grudges and are looking for revenge.

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26 August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

Allen Eiry Senior Center Moves The Allen Eiry Senior Center has announced their move to 539 W. Market St., site of the former Mercy Community Services Center, owned

by Mercy Tiffin Hospital. The senior center closed its operation at 30 Orchard Park (the former Betty Jane Rehabilitation Center campus) on June 17 and plans to re-open in its new location on July 11.

The move to its West Market Street location not only begins a new chapter for the center, but it is also the first step toward realizing its long-standing vision to own a permanent home for the programs.

The senior center has entered into a lease agreement for the W. Market St. premises with Mercy Tiffin, as well as an option to purchase the property.

Their new location improves access to Allen Eiry Senior Center’s programs and services for its existing 700 plus current members while also being adjacent to the Charles Meadows Apartments, a

local senior citizen housing complex.

“We appreciate Mercy Tiffin Hospital for their support in providing what we hope will be our permanent home, as we seek to build and expand upon the programs and services that the Allen Eiry Senior Center has always been known for,” said Carolyn Griffin, Executive Director of Allen Eiry Senior Center.

“Quality programs and services for our seniors are a critical component of our community,” said Dale Thornton, President and CEO of Mercy Tiffin Hospital. “Assisting the Allen Eiry Senior Center with this move to what we hope is their longterm home is a wonderful example of the mission of our founding sponsors, the Sisters of Mercy.”

In support of their goal to purchase the property from Mercy Tiffin, the Allen Eiry Senior Center will soon announce a community-wide Building Campaign.

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Mercy Willard Foundation Golf Outing Raises Over $38,000 The Mercy Willard Foundation annual charity golf outing was held on June 29, 2011 at Eagle Creek Golf Club. Mercy Willard hosted 33 teams for a great cause.

The outing raised over $38,000 in gross profit to benefit the Mercy Willard Foundation.

Willard Healthcare supported this year’s event as a platinum sponsor. Fifth Third Bank supported the event as a silver sponsor and Lathrop Company, Rivereast Custom Cabinets and SSOE were Bronze Sponsors.

The golf outing featured a “M*A*S*H 1100th” theme this year to complement the fact that the hospital will be moving next year to its new address of 1100 Neal Zick Road.

For more information about the 2012 Mercy Willard Foundation Golf

Outing scheduled for June 27, 2012, please contact Audrey Ginter at 419964-5105. The next Mercy Willard Foundation fundraiser will be the 22nd annual Candlelight Ball to be held on November 5, 2011 at the Kehoe Center in Shelby. This year’s event features a Saturday Night Disco Fever theme!

Hospital Associates Certified in Parkinson’s Fitness Program Recently, four members of the Memorial Hospital Physical Medicine Department Staff attended training and completed professional certification program for the Delay the Disease (DTD) program. Delay the Disease is a community based fitness class for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The Kevin Yeckley, M.Ed., Allyson Hoops, A.T.C., Vicki individuals who earned DTD Sneath, P.T., Lesley King, P.T.A., were each recently certification are Vicki Sneath, DTD certified. Christy Heckler, MS, CCC-SLP and P.T., Lesley King, P.T.A., Allyson Meghan Didion, MS, CCC-SLP are both LSVT LOUD Hoops, A.T.C., and Kevin certified.

Yeckley, M.Ed. such as the LSVT LOUD/BIG program According to Lesley King, “The Delay the Disease program is aimed at and Parkinson’s Support Group, helping Parkinson’s patients stay one provided by Memorial Hospital; thus step ahead of the disease. Through providing patients with a smooth exercise, it helps participants improve transition from clinical based their lives by managing Parkinson’s programs to a community based program” said King. symptoms.”

The DTD program involves a weekly DTD certification will allow Memorial Hospital to implement the exercise class that provides instruction DTD exercise program, along with in symptom management through other clinical based programs, when walking, balance, flexibility and freezing issues with exercise; it treating Parkinson’s patients.

“Routine exercise and fitness generally helps participants maintain activities are critical for Parkinson’s a higher level of functional ability patients, this program complements than they would experience without current clinical based treatments, the class.

North Coast Business Journal

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August 2011

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On The Move New General Surgeon at Magruder Hospital Rick Wiecek, M.D., general surgeon, has recently joined Magruder Hospital’s medical staff. He is a member of NOMS Healthcare and is currently a general surgeon on the staffs of both Fremont Memorial Hospital and The Bellevue Hospital.

Dr. Wiecek completed his premedical curriculum at Cleveland State University and went on to graduate from Wright State University School of Medicine. He did his residency in general surgery at State University of New York at Buffalo, where he earned the Theodore C. Jewett Jr., M.D., Gold Star Resident of the Year and the Dr. Joseph Dziob Award in trauma

surgery. Dr. Wiecek is a member of The Toledo Surgical Society, associate of the American College of Surgeons, The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Ohio State Medical Association and the American M e d i c a l Association. He and his wife have 4 children and reside in Fremont where he enjoys spending time with family and friends, outdoor recreation and traveling.

WIECEK

Magruder Hospital Hires New Director of Surgical Services Magruder Hospital recently hired Lynn Schmidt, RN, as the new Director of Surgical Services. Schmidt comes to Magruder with 30 years of surgical experience. She is a graduate of St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing in Youngstown, Ohio. She continued her education at Ashland University where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Schmidt is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the Ohio Organization for Nurse Executives, the American Nurses Association, the Ohio Nurses Association and the Association of Operating Room Nurses. She is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and has earned her Certified Nurse, Operating Room designation.

Most recently, Schmidt was

employed by Morrow County Hospital in Mount Gilead, Ohio, in the position of Chief Nursing Officer. She has also held the position of Director of P e r i o p e r a t i v e SCHMIDT Services and Medical Specialty Clinics. Schmidt was previously employed by The SurgiCenter of Mansfield in the position of Assistant Director of the Ambulatory Surgery Center.

Schmidt and her husband have enjoyed vacationing in the Port Clinton area in the past and are making it their permanent home.

Gillmor Financial Services/Old Fort Bank Welcomes New Board Member Michael C. Spragg, President and CEO of Old Fort Bank is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Wade Young to serve on the Gillmor Financial Services, Inc. Board of Directors, the holding company for the Old Fort Banking Company.

Dr. Young is President of the Tiffin Eye Center in Tiffin, OH and a practicing ophthalmologist in the area since 1987. He is a member of the medical staffs at Mercy Hospital of Tiffin, Memorial Hospital in Fremont, Fostoria Community Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Willard and Elmwood at the Springs in Green Springs.

His community service is commendable, currently serving on the Heidelberg University Board of Trustees, Community Care I, Mercy Hospital of Tiffin Board and Tiffin

Ambulatory Surgical Associates, LLC Board of Managers.

Dr. Young has previously served on the Erie Shore Council (BSA) Executive Board, C o m m u n i t y Health Services Board, and St. Francis Health YOUNG Care Center Foundation Board. He is an active member of the Green Springs United Methodist Church, where he serves as a lay leader and organist.

Dr. Young is married to Cynthia (Cindy) Michaels Young. The couple has four children, Wade Emmet (Buck), Dr. Blair Katherine, Austin Hayes and Carly Michaels Young.

Leimbach Joins Wealth Management Team at Citizens Bank Citizens Bank has added a new financial consultant to its wealth management team.

Bruce E Leimbach, an LPL registered f i n a n c i a l advisor, joins the team of consultants.

Leimbach has over 30 years in the financial s e r v i c e s industry,” said LEIMBACH

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George E. Steinemann, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Citizens Wealth Management/ Citizens Investments. “His prior experience includes agricultural lending, and he has worked as a financial consultant for the past three years,” Steinemann added.

Leimbach has a degree in Agribusiness Management from California State University Polytechnic, Pomona California. He and his wife reside in New London.

jbryden@ncbj.net

28 August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

Ohio Business College Hires Marketing Assistant Tri-State Educational Systems, Inc. is pleased to announce the hiring of Matt Krafty for the position of Marketing Assistant. TriState Educational Systems, Inc. is the parent company of Ohio Business College, which has campus locations in Sandusky, Sheffield Village and Columbus, in addition to truck driving academies in Middletown, Ohio, and Palmer, Texas.

Mr. Krafty graduated from Sandusky High School in 1997 and attended Bowling Green State University,

where he studied English Literature. He has worked most recently as a freelance contributor to Funcoast in the Sandusky Register, where he covered community events such as car shows, concerts and festivals.

Mr. Krafty’s primary responsibility at the college will be writing press releases regarding campus events, new hires and special announcements at each of the OBC locations, and also disseminating the information to various media outlets.

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Mercy Tiffin Introduces Mercy Quick Care in the Emergency Room Mercy Tiffin Hospital is pleased to introduce Mercy Quick Care, a service offered within the Emergency Room.

A practitioner will be devoted to Mercy Quick Care from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week, hours that are considered peak times in the emergency room.

All emergency services will continue to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Mercy Tiffin Hospital is dedicated to providing prompt, quality care for patients seeking treatment in our emergency room,” said Dale Thornton, President and CEO of Mercy Tiffin Hospital. “Mercy Quick Care is designed to advance the efficiency and flow of the emergency room for our urgent patients but, as the name implies, provide treatment in a very timely manner to those presenting with more minor conditions.”

Upon arrival, the emergency team determines a patient’s degree of illness through the triage process and quickly separates non-urgent patients

from urgent patients. The priority of the emergency room is to care for those with urgent conditions first but, with the introduction of this new service, the patient presenting with a non-urgent illness or injury will receive diagnostic care and treatment much more quickly.

“Patients have already noticed a difference and expressed that they appreciate the timely care and treatment,” said Laura Gaietto, Manager of the Emergency Care Center. “If at any time during the visit a patient’s urgency level worsens, the patient will already be at the emergency room, with access to fullservice emergency care, including laboratory testing and x-rays, which is a definite plus.”

This enhanced process will allow patients with non-urgent symptoms such as cuts, sprains or strains, sore throats or ear aches to see a physician or nurse practitioner, receive treatment and exit the emergency department quickly.

Dr. Luis Perez Joins Firelands Physician Group Firelands Physician Group is pleased to welcome Luis L. Perez, DO, General/Family Physician, to its multi-specialty group. Board Certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Perez provides patients with preventative care, wellness care, and a full range of family practice care.

Recipient of the prestigious 2011 Ohio Family Practice Resident of the Year from the Ohio State Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Dr. Perez completed his medical education at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens,

Ohio and his residency at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

A resident of the Huron area since 2006, Dr. Perez is married and has two children. In his spare time, he likes to spend time playing sports with his son and daughter. Dr. Perez plays classical guitar and likes to read non-fiction books. He is looking forward to getting involved in the Vermilion community and serving the healthcare needs of the residents of the Vermilion area.

Mike Opfer Joins Team at Hoty Builders Hoty Builders welcomes new employee, Mike Opfer. Opfer is responsible for estimating new work and managing a variety of Hoty Builders’ commercial construction sites both locally and throughout the United States. He has 30 years’ experience in the construction industry.

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30 August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

Community Hospice Care

Rebecca S. Shank, R.N. Executive Director

With Community Hospice Care, it’s not the destination, but the journey that matters

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Mercy Willard is one of four critical access hospitals in the nation to receive this accreditation. Mercy Willard is also the only one of two critical access hospitals in the state of Ohio, and the first hospital in Huron County to receive this accreditation.

As a Society for Chest Pain Centers accredited facility, Mercy Willard is held to higher standards, so your heart gets the care it deserves. You can expect better care and response time when seconds count.

Getting treated for chest pain at an Accredited Chest Pain Center means you are getting the best and most current care available for what could be a heart attack.

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FTMC, from Page 14 telecommunications center and a financial counseling office. The new laboratory draw area is equipped with four private collection stations. The projected completion date is summer 2012.

Project partners for this expansion include American Health Facilities Development, LLC, project manager; Bostwick Design Partners, architect; and The Robins & Morton Group, general contractor. These firms have been part of Fisher-Titus construction projects beginning with the Patient Pavilion in 2005.

“Our partners through all of our projects have become members of our ‘family’ at Fisher-Titus and we are glad that all three companies are back

August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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on the job,” said Lorna Strayer, FisherTitus senior vice president of administration and business development.

Fisher-Titus has invested more than $100 million over the past decade in significant facility expansions and capital equipment, including the 101,000-square-foot Fisher-Titus Patient Pavilion in 2005, a 42,000-square-foot expansion and renovation for Rehabilitation Services and Cancer Services in 2006 and the 22,000 square-foot Snyder/White Heart & Vascular Center in 2008. All three construction partners were an integral part of building these structures and will now continue their partnership with the Medical Center to create the 29,500 squarefoot emergency department expansion.

Fisher-Titus Medical Center’s emergency department is specialized for the care of patients with acute illnesses and/or injuries. Fisher-Titus is certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center and is verified as a Level 3 Trauma Center.

Last year, more than 26,000 patients were treated in the Fisher-Titus Emergency Department.

“Each of those patients represented a unique case that required our medical professionals in the emergency department to adapt to a wide range of circumstances,” Strayer said.

“This project takes into account the complexity of the patient ‘mix’ we see in the emergency department and how we can best serve each individual’s needs in a timely manner—whether that need is

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diagnosing a strep throat or treating a stroke victim. We want to get the patient where he or she needs to be as quickly as possible—whether that is a trauma room, rapid treatment area or an observation area.”

As a local, independent community hospital, Fisher-Titus is committed to offering patients the most advanced technology, nursing care and medical treatment possible while providing the highest level of personal care.

The Medical Center has received a variety of awards and in 2010 received the honor of being named among the nation’s Top 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare -- the only Ohio hospital to receive the award three consecutive years.

To learn more about Fisher-Titus Medical Center and its services, visit www.Fisher-Titus.org.

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32 August 2011

North Coast Business Journal

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