Chamber News from the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Canton Entrepreneur Launch awards $50,000

January 24, 2012 – 12:32 pm

CANTON, OHIO (January 24, 2012) – The City of Canton, in conjunction with ystark! (a department of the Canton Regional Chamber) has awarded a $50,000 business grant to Jack Hooks in the first funding cycle of the Canton Entrepreneur Launch program.

The new program, conceived and launched launched last year with help from JumpStart Inc., provides grants to entrepreneurs who plan to locate new, high growth business ventures in the City of Canton. More than 60 applications were received for the very competitive inaugural funding cycle, and four finalists were invited to a formal presentation. After careful consideration and review by the Canton Entrepreneur Launch commission, entrepreneur Karl Beitzel’s company, Jack Hooks, was selected for grant funding.

Canton Entrepreneur Launch is designed to create organic business growth by providing grants to start-up businesses that have the potential to attract additional growth capital, create substantial economic impact and develop job opportunities within the Canton community.

“We were thrilled to receive so much interest and to see such a healthy entrepreneurial spark in our region,” said Mayor William J. Healy II. “This year we wanted to make a significant investment that could take a business to the next level. We believe that Jack Hooks can use this money to make great progress in their venture.”

Jack Hooks manufactures a revolutionary series of fishing hooks for the retail consumer market that, according to Beitzel, are “are the strongest, fastest and sharpest hooks ever made.” Jack Hooks’ proprietary, patent-pending, knotless hook allows professional and recreational anglers alike to attach a hook to their line in fewer than five seconds.

By chambernews | Posted in ystark! News | Comments Off

ystark! and The Repository accepting nominations for fifth annual ‘Twenty under 40!’ awards

January 19, 2012 – 1:17 pm

CANTON, OH (January 19, 2012) – ystark!, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber, and The Repository are seeking nominations for the fifth annual ‘TWENTY UNDER 40!’, an award recognizing the most talented young professionals in Stark County. The award recognizes 20 current young leaders who are actively making a positive impact in the county.

The young professionals worthy of this award are the ones actively working to make Stark County a destination for young professionals to live, work and play. Winners of the 2012 award will be celebrated at an eclectic gala in June.

Eligible “young professionals” are between 21 and 40 years old, and span all career industries. ystark! membership not required for nomination. Full eligibility information and details on the nomination process are available at www.ystark.org. All nominations must be received by Feb. 12.

The ‘Twenty under 40!’ planning committee is led by Aron Kitzmiller, director of marketing, Westfield Belden Village. Recognition of these deserving area young professionals is made possible through ystark! and The Repository, in conjunction with Aultman Health Foundation, Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh, LPA, Diebold, Inc., Huntington Bank and The Timken Company.

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By chambernews | Posted in ystark! News | Comments Off

Timken top leadership to speak at the Canton Regional Chamber’s 98th Annual Dinner

January 14, 2012 – 12:35 pm

CANTON, OH (January 14, 2012) – For one unprecedented evening, Timken Chairman Tim Timken joins President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Griffith to share their story of a company reinvented, with a new business model and fresh capabilities to capitalize on emerging markets and growing industries around the world.

The Canton Regional Chamber’s 98th Annual Dinner will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Canton Memorial Civic Center, located at 1101 Market Ave. N in downtown Canton. The annual dinner will feature Ward J. Timken, Jr., chairman of the board of directors for The Timken Company, and James W. Griffith, president and CEO for Timken.

Few organizations possess the staying power of The Timken Company, with communities, investors, employees and suppliers collectively sharing in achievement, year after year. The company’s success is reflected in its significant diversification, extensive global growth, and value driven to the bottom line, with dividends paid each year and every quarter, from before the Great Depression, to the Great Recession and beyond.

It’s also evident in the company’s steadfast investments, focused on a promising future. When it comes to good fortune, Timken is our community’s constant.

“This year’s annual dinner provides a rare opportunity for our local business community to gain firsthand perspective about The Timken Company, straight from the source,” said Dennis P. Saunier, Chamber president and CEO. “We’re thrilled to have Tim and Jim joining us for this special evening.”

At the Annual Dinner, the gavel will be passed from outgoing Board Chairman George W. Lemon, retired president, Technical Products Group, to the 2012 Board Chairman, Rick L. Haines, president of AultCare. The Chamber will recognize and thank the outgoing board members and usher in new members for an exceptional 98th year.

Also during the dinner, the Canton Regional Chamber and ArtsinStark, The County Arts Council, will present the 2012 Business for the Arts Award. The award is recognizes an outstanding business for support and participation in the arts in Stark County, which improves the quality of life and promotes economic development. This year’s recipient is Solmet Technologies, Inc.

The 98th annual dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Registrations for the annual dinner can be made online CantonChamber.org or by calling (330) 458-2070. Tickets for the event are $88 for members and $98 for non-members, and tables of eight are available. All registration payments must be received in advance and reservations must be received by Jan. 30. Register now, space is limited.

This year’s annual dinner is made possible by our sponsors: Aultman Health Foundation, AultCare, Black McCuskey Souers & Arbaugh, Canton Chair Rental, Chesapeake Energy, Day Ketterer, Ltd., DeHoff Realtors, Diebold, Inc., Fresh Mark, Inc., Huntington Bank, Innis Maggiore, The Karcher Group, Kenan Advantage Group, Kent State University at Stark, KeyBank, Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., LPA, Leonard Insurance, Malone University, Mercy Medical Center, The Repository, PNC Bank, Schauer Group, Inc. / Chubb Group, Stark State College, Superior Beverage, The Timken Company, University of Mount Union and Walsh University.

By chambernews | Posted in Chamber Events, Chamber News | Comments Off

ystark!’s first annual Yuletide Breakfast Fest yields bicycles for foster children

January 10, 2012 – 12:14 pm

CANTON, OH (January 10, 2012) – On Saturday, Dec. 17, ystark!, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber, held the first annual Yuletide Breakfast Fest at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. During the event, local foster families gathered for a festive holiday breakfast, playing games and learning about how physical activity can lead to a healthy lifestyle.

But the real goal of this special holiday service project was to provide new bikes and helmets for foster children in our community. ystark! partnered with Pathway Caring for Children, and ultimately provided 82 new bikes and helmets to the kids Pathway supports.

“It was remarkable to see the kids’ faces light up when the curtain opened on the bikes that were waiting for them. One 15-year-old girl said that her new bike was the first thing she has ever really owned,” said Eric Belden, executive director of Pathway Caring for Children. “This project has allowed the kids to forget about their sad situations for a moment and enjoy what the holiday spirit is all about.”