MARTINS FERRY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "WORKING FOR YOU"

FOR THE COMMUNITY:

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:  Compiling lists of available buildings and properties for commercial use, directing these inquiries from those hunting available space to the proper persons and, when requested, assisting each to make necessary contacts.Increases community payrolls and improves buying power by attracting more customers to the trading and retail area.      

STATISTICAL AND COMMUNITY DIRECTORIES:  World Chamber of Commerce Directgory, 800 Directory, National Five-Digit Zip Code, and Post Office Directory and various other directories.  Chamber staff members compile directories,Industrial Directory with companies in the Martins Ferry Area, product or service of that company and contact person for the company.

We maintain a Business and Professional Directory with all curent city businesses, stores and professional persons, with address, telephone number and contact person.   Also maintain a Club and Organization Directory with about 40 civic, cflub and professional organizations listing meeting date, term of office and contact officer.

MEET THE OHIO VALLEY BOOKLET:  The booklet features places in interest, history, churches, schools, recreational facilities, City administrations, directory of businesses, clubs and organications for  many local towns.  It is published by The Times Leader.

COMMUNICATION:  Communicates with the local school system, city government and the Martins Ferry Ministerial Association, through the exchange of ex-officio membership on the Chamber Board of Directors for each of these community segments.

OFFER A UNITED PARCEL SERVICE CUSTOMER COUNTER FOR BUSINESSES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

MARTINS FERRY PROSPECTUS:  Composed and printed the Martins Ferry Prospectus which contains assorted materials regarding markets, population, employment, resources, railroad, truck and water transportation, highway, utilities, taxes and labor information.

MAPS, TOURIST ATTRACTIONS, TRAVEL INFORMATION:  A tourist desk is maintained with a collection of brochures, tourist information and assortment of Ohio atractions.  County and city maps are available as well as surrounding communities.

WORK AND COOPERATE WITH SURROUNDING AREA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE:  We work very closely with other Chambers in the area bringing about a very good network.

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU:  We are a member of the Better Business Bureau that services this area for all our consumer and business needs.

DEFENSIVE (REMEDIAL) DRIVING COURSES:  The Chamber offers the National Safety Council Defensive Driving Courses.  They are for drivers of every age and level of driving experience as follows:

     The Eight Hour Defensive (Remedial) Driving Course is for adults and allows them to receive a two-point credit on their driver's license for driving violations or if it is ordered by the BMV or a court.  The 8 hour course is given by a certified instructor on Saturdays at East Ohio Regional Hospital.     

     In conjunction with this course, the Chamber also offers a Teen Driving Course.  It is for newly licensed or about-to-be  tenage drivers.  It is held with the adult course.

There is also a Juvenile Drive Improvement Program (JDIP) for juvenile drivers who have had their license suspended for having two violations prior to their 18th birthday.  It is a six hour course which is scheduled according to the juvenile's schedule and is taught by a certified instructor.

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION:  In 1990, the Chamber assumed responsibility for the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration.  This project is funded by our major sponsors and is open to both non-profit and professional vendors to operate their concessions.

SOAP BOX DERBY:  The Chamber annually sponsors a Soap Box Derby - The Great Race - for the area.  The derby was reintroduced to the city in 1993.  In 2010, the Committee decided not to renew its franchise with Akron and to hold our own race.  Open to both boys and girls, age 8 thru 16 our race is held each year in June.  In 2009, the committee added a Super Kids Race for children ages 8-18 who have a medically diagnosed disability that a physician is willing to document. 

ACADEMIC RECOGNITION BANQUET:  In May of 1985, the Chamber began holding its Annual Academic Recognition Banquet.  The banquet recognizes students in grades 5-12 who live in the Martins Ferry School District and attend a Martins Ferry public or private school or attend a school outside the district or who live outside the Martins Ferry School District and attend a Martins Ferry public or private school.  Students in grades 5-8 must attain a 3.50 GPA and grades 9-12 a 3.75 GPA at the end of the fifth six weeks or third nine week period for the current school year to further qualify.  An average of over 250 students from 21 local schools are recognized each year. 

DOG LICENSES:  The Chamber completes dog license applications for the Belmont County Auditor's Office.DOG LICENSES:  The Chamber completes dog license applications for the Belmont County Auditor's Office.

2010 CENSUS:  The Chamber realized the improtance of having everyone counted during the census and unanimously passed a resolution to suport tghe 2010 census.  A committee was formed to promote information about the census forms.  The Chamber was also available to help residents complete these forms.

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECT:  The Chamber spearheaded the downtown revitalization project that began in the spring of 1995.  The committee was comprised of Chamber members, persons from financial institutions, area business people and City Officials.  Phas II of the project was completed in June of 1999.  This is considered an ongoing project working on the maintenance of the finished area and possible expansion in the future. 

FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

OPERATIONAL MERCHANT COMMITTEE:  Have a full-time merchant committee that plans sales promotions and provides shopper information to  unify service in the downtown shopping area.

INDUSTRIAL PARK SIGN:  The Chamber erected a directional sign in the Industrial Park which shows factories, plants and businesses within that area.  Directional marks facilitate deliveries.  This is kept current by updating with new individuaol signs installed at a minimal cost to the new business.

NEWSLETTER:  The Chamber Office currently publishes a quarterly newsletter.

HOTLINE INFORMATION:  We operate a hotline to businesses in the community alerting them to bad checks, bogus money and shoplifters in the area.

FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS

WORKERS' COMPENSATION RATES:  Being a Chamber member, you may investigate the possibility of reducing your worker's compensation rate.  The Chamber is now a member of CompManagement, Inc. which works to provide cost control services in the area of workers' compensation.

SHALE DIRECTORIES:  All Chamber members receive a listing in ShaleDirectories.com for free.  This is a directory for the oil and gas industry.  Members are listed by category.