COLUMBIANA CO. Chamber survey reveals concerns

Affordable utilities and a lack of qualified workers are among the concerns.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- Representatives of area chambers of commerce are to meet later this week with government and education officials to talk about improving Columbiana County's business climate.
The meeting -- set for 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the county career center, 9364 state Route 45, south of Lisbon -- is the culmination of months of work aimed at determining area businesses' views on the matter, explained Margie Kampfer, director of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.
To accomplish that, chambers of commerce in the county worked last year with the Ohio Small Business Council, a division of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
With help from the council, area chambers developed a survey to identify concerns among owners of small businesses, defined as enterprises with fewer than 250 employees.
The survey polled 69 small businesses in the county.
Concerns: The results identified several concerns, including access to and cost of municipal water and sewer service, and consistent interpretation of local government rules and regulations pertaining to business.
Another concern was a shortage of qualified workers.
"Businesses are having a hard time finding good employees," Kampfer said.
It's difficult to locate new hires with adequate training and good work habits, she added.
Seeking cooperation: During this week's meeting, the Ohio Small Business Council will make a detailed presentation of the survey's findings to county commissioners, area mayors, Kent State University representatives and superintendents of area high schools.
Area chambers will be asking the government and education representatives "to try to help solve problems that we feel are detrimental to business in the county," Kampfer said.
"We want to inform them" of concerns; "then, hopefully, we'll have their ear to work toward a solution," Kampfer said.
The meeting should foster a climate that will have government and business "working a little closer together," said Howard Claypool, director of the Calcutta Area Chamber of Commerce.