port-clinton-chamber-of-commerce

Meaningful Ways To Stay Connected

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 19:08:52 GMT

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Winter 2025 Newsletter

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:40:55 GMT

Winter 2025 Chamber Compass

Upcoming Events

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 14:28:22 GMT

Upcoming Events

Chamber Sponsored Health Insurance

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:38:29 GMT

Anthem Health Insurance

We are excited to announce we now have a PC Chamber member who works as a Chamber Sponsored Anthem broker. It is important to let them know you are a PC Chamber member when reaching out!

Full range health insurance plans with cost savings usually reserved for larger companies. Businesses also get access to a large network of quality providers through Anthem, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Premium savings up to 1.4% on groups from 2-50 employees. Groups from 51-500 may be eligible for a 1% premium savings. Businesses must be a NOACC Chamber Member.

Shred Day

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 18:49:09 GMT

PayneNickles & Company 9th Annual Shred Day

Applications Available-LOC 2025

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:45:27 GMT

Applicatons Now Available

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ENROLL FOR CLASS OF 2025-LOC

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 18:56:13 GMT

Join LOC Class of 2025 NOW

Dear Community Leaders,

Leadership Ottawa County is a development program designed to strengthen, enrich, and amplify leaders in Ottawa County through an extensive leadership program. Those who participate will broaden their leadership skills as well as build a personal and professional network of individuals who are active within our communities.

Potential candidates for the Class of 2025 are now being recruited. We are pleased to invite you to submit an application for someone from your organization who would benefit from having the increased knowledge and networking opportunities this excellent leadership development program provides.

The class curriculum focuses on the following leadership skills: Productive Meetings, Working with the Media, The Art of Networking, Coaching to Empower Others, Ethics & Trustworthiness, Team Building, Customer Service, Decision Making, Conflict Resolution, Public Speaking, Disability Awareness, Interpersonal Communication, Goal Setting, Work/Life Balance. The class will also explore the following sectors of Ottawa County: Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources, Demographics & Government Structure, Justice & Law Enforcement, Education, History & Heritage, Business & Economic Development, Health & Human Services, and Tourism.

Meeting locations vary throughout the county, some travel is required, and a meal is provided at each session. Class members will also participate in a community service project. Class begins in September 2024 and graduation will be held in May 2025.

The application can be completed on the LOC website (leadershipottawacounty.com). The deadline for applications is August 18th. Class size is limited to 16, so respond quickly to secure your spot in the program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Michele Mueller at 419-343-7544 or Sandye Ostheimer at 419-341-2561.

Sincerely,

Sandye Ostheimer, Board President

Leadership Ottawa County – Class of 2019

Spring Newsletter

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 17:45:59 GMT

Spring 2024 Newsletter

Click HERE for full newsletter!

BRE Survey

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 14:01:12 GMT

BRE Program: 2024 Survey Launch

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National Walleye Tournament

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:40:32 GMT

Sponsorship Opportunity Available

Golf Outing

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 17:48:02 GMT

2023 Gill Construction Golf Outing

Weekly E-News

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:26:50 GMT

Weekly E-News

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 17:44:13 GMT

Weekly E-News (3/10/23)

Destination Development Grants Now Available

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 13:23:53 GMT

Shores & Islands Destination Development Grants Now Available

They're back! Destination Development Grants are now available for projects that will attract and engage visitors, serve and educate regional tourism partners, and generate economic growth for their communities and the region through travel and tourism development for BOTH Erie and Ottawa counties.

Ottawa County grant applicants can apply for up to $10,000 and Erie County applicants up to $25,000. However, this program is not designed to cover the entire cost of a project - it is a matching grant program; therefore, the grantee must secure an equal amount of funds as they are granted towards the project in order to receive funding. Organizations with active projects funded through the 2022 grant are not eligible to apply until the previously funded project is complete and all requirements have been fulfilled.

The grant proposal period for both counties is January 23, 2023 - April 20, 2023, with final proposals due before 12 pm on April 20th. Erie County finalists will be notified on May 12, 2023 and Ottawa County finalists will be notified on May 19, 2023.

Informational meetings about the grant process and eligibility requirements will be held on the following dates and locations. Interested parties are welcome to join any meeting, regardless of county of origin.

Meetings:

· Thursday, Feb 2, 2023 at 9 am and 2 pm - S&IO East (Sandusky)

· Tuesday, Feb 7, 2023 at 9 am and 2 pm - S&IO West (Port Clinton)

· Wednesday, Feb 15 at 9 am - S&IO East (Sandusky)

· Wednesday, Feb 15 at 2 pm - S&IO West (Port Clinton)

Please direct any questions regarding the grant or the grant process to Destination Development Director, Amanda Smith Rasnick at amanda@shoresandislands.com or 419-625-2175.

Weekly E-News

president@portclintonchamber.com (Nicole Kochensparger) — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 13:12:44 GMT

Weekly E-News

president@portclintonchamber.com (Nicole Kochensparger) — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 19:14:30 GMT

Weekly E-News

president@portclintonchamber.com (Nicole Kochensparger) — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 16:43:09 GMT

Weekly E-News

president@portclintonchamber.com (Nicole Kochensparger) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 16:41:25 GMT

Weekly E-News

president@portclintonchamber.com (Nicole Kochensparger) — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 13:33:37 GMT

Weekly E-News

Holiday Mixer

president@portclintonchamber.com (Nicole Kochensparger) — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 17:27:05 GMT

Join us for a Holiday Mixer

Why Shop Small for the Holidays?

president@portclintonchamber.com (Nicole Kochensparger) — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 17:44:50 GMT

Why Shop Small for the Holidays?

Small businesses add flavor to our area. There is a sense of adventure when you explore a small business. You never know what beauties you’ll uncover or what scrumptiousness awaits. Sadly, that’s also why a lot of people choose to patronize chains. With chains they know exactly what they’ll get and there’s a lot of comfort in that.

But comfort does come at a price and that price could be our community.

Large employers and chains are vital to our area, but this holiday season we’re asking you to support small business to help ensure they’re around in the coming years.

Here’s why:

7 Reasons to Support Small Business This Holiday Season

1. Small businesses need you. While SCORE advises that businesses should keep three to six months of operating reserves, most small businesses have 27 days’ worth . With inflation, rising costs, hiring issues, and a plethora of other challenges, that place our small businesses in a precarious position, where you spend your money this holiday could affect which businesses will be here in the new year.

2. It feels good to shop small. Supporting small business feels good because you can see the impact. The smiles and gratitude you receive for shopping with a small business feel special. You can tell you’re making an impact and often they remember you when you return.

3. Small businesses support your causes. Small businesses are the first ones you turn to when asking for support for your beloved causes from your kids sports to your favorite nonprofits. Their sponsorships improve the quality of life in the area. But they can’t sponsor your causes if they’re not in business.

4. Small businesses answer your questions. Chatbots are great but they are programmed to respond literally to your questions. They do not anticipate needs or ask follow-up questions like small business owners and employees do. Sometimes the conversation that comes from speaking with small business professionals lead to other opportunities, interests, and stories. That’s less likely to happen with a chatbot or large-scale online retailer.

5. Small businesses give you an experience. Shopping small is about the experience and holiday shopping provides some of the biggest highlights of the year with seasonal aromas, delightful demos, delicious tastes, and happy melodies. Twinkle lights make everything more festive. Even an amazing website can’t provide the same tantalizing shopping experience an in-person trip to your favorite small business can.

6. Small businesses rely on your holiday spending. As many as 20% of small businesses rely on holiday sales to offset slower times during the year. If you don’t buy local during the holidays, it affects their future.

7. You can be a gift-giving wizard. Times are tight right now and many of us are cutting back on what we’re spending this year so that we can cover rising costs in essentials. While it’s natural to look for the cheapest gift possible during these times, you don’t want to forgo the holiday smiles from the perfect gift just to stay in your budget. Many small businesses provide unique, thoughtful items that you can’t get in many places. You can spend less but give your special someone something that they’ll cherish.

Shopping small this holiday season is a big deal. These past few years have been hard on local businesses. With smaller operating reserves, rising costs and lower sales, they need you this year. And if you enjoy those small businesses, you know where you need to put your holiday dollars.

Weekly E-News

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:19:01 GMT

October 17-21, 2022

Business Tax Implications of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

president@portclintonchamber.com (Nicole Kochensparger) — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 14:45:06 GMT

Business Tax Implications of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

The House of Representatives passed The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Friday, August 12, and President Joe Biden signed into law August 16. The legislation, which is a pared-down version of the proposed Build Back Better plan, was passed through the budget reconciliation process and is expected to pay for itself and decrease the budget deficit.

Key provisions in the IRA include funding for clean energy tax credits, an infusion of funds to the Internal Revenue Service, changes to Medicare prescription drug policies, and new corporate taxes.

Read on to learn about how these provisions could impact your business.

New corporate taxes

Lawmakers built several new tax provisions into the IRA to fund programs the bill introduces, modifies, or extends. In conjunction with the IRS measures listed below, these taxes are expected to fully fund the program and decrease the budget deficit. The two main taxes are:

Corporate minimum tax of 15% of book income. While the current corporate tax rate is 21%, many businesses can pay less because of deductions and credits. The new minimum tax is based on the financial statement income for corporations with revenues over $1 billion for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022. The legislation allows for bonus and accelerated depreciation deductions when calculating financial statement income and exceptions for S corporations, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and regulated investment companies such as hedge funds.
Excise tax on stock buybacks. Stock buybacks often are used to decrease taxes paid for years. The IRA introduces a new 1% excise tax on corporate stock repurchases in tax years beginning after December 31, 2022.

Research credits to payroll taxes

Currently, the research tax credit allows for up to $250,000 to be deducted against qualifying payroll taxes which do not include the Medicare portion of FICA taxes. The IRA expands this credit to a $500,000 limit that also includes Medicare payroll taxes.

This goes into effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022, and allows for unused credit amounts to be carried forward in certain circumstances.

Renewable, clean energy tax provisions

Much of the funding for the IRA – about $370 billion – is dedicated to green or renewable energy tax deductions. Of that amount, $60 billion is earmarked for growing the renewable energy infrastructure within manufacturing targeted at solar panels and wind turbines.

The IRA also modifies and extends through 2024 tax credits for producing electricity from qualified renewable resources, investments in qualified energy properties, and using alternative fuels and fuel mixtures (including biodiesel and renewable diesel).

New tax credits will be available in the coming years for the production and/or sale of:

Zero-emissions nuclear power products,
clean hydrogen or clean electricity for investment in zero-emissions electricity generation facilities or energy storage technology,
clean fuel production, and
qualifying solar and wind energy systems components.

With the modifications, businesses that use energy-efficient comm

ercial buildings may see additional tax deduction opportunities. The IRS introduces a new credit for commercial clean vehicles and modifies the refundable tax credit on plug-in electric vehicle purchases.

The IRA provides funds so the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can create a greenhouse gas reduction fund and support existing programs that provide financial incentives to reduce air pollution emissions. These include replacing eligible medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with zero emissions options, identifying and reducing emissions from diesel engines, and monitoring air pollution and greenhouse gases.

Increased tax enforcement, customer service

The IRA provides additional funding for the IRS to hire more customer service representatives, processors, and auditors to decrease the time it takes to process returns for each tax year, lessen the hold times for taxpayers calling in, and increase audits. Audits are expected to target larger businesses and individuals with higher incomes.

The Inflation Reduction Act is expansive and could affect many business tax strategies. We’ll keep you updated as new information comes to light. In the meantime, consider scheduling your annual tax strategy review with one of our tax professionals to discuss how the IRA could impact your business.

Small Business Basics

president@portclintonchamber.com (Nicole Kochensparger) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 12:27:01 GMT

Chamber Bulletin-Small Business Basics Seminar

As a reminder, there are three remaining sessions of the Small Business Basics seminar in 2022; 10/5/22 8:30-11:30AM; 10/19/22 4:30-7:30PM; or 11/2/22 8:30-11:30AM. Note we have a scheduling conflict and, as such, there will not be a session on 11/16/22.

This is a free seminar for anyone who wants to start, buy or expand a small business and for those who would like further one-to-one advising services with the SBDC. Feel free to pass this information onto anyone interested in attending.

Weekly E-News

president@portclintonchamber.com (Nicole Kochensparger) — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 12:25:19 GMT

Weekly E-News

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 12:50:42 GMT

Weekly E-News

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 13:29:16 GMT

9/19/2022-9/23/2022

Now Is the Perfect Time to Tell Your Story

president@portclintonchamber.com (Nicole Kochensparger) — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 13:32:30 GMT

Now is the perfect time to tell your business story.

Telling your business story is a compelling way to get your audience more invested in you and to help build know, like, and trust. But your business story shouldn’t be a dry About Us page filled with dates you first opened and how many locations you’ve been through over the course of your business history.

Your business story is a lasso that draws people in and holds them there. But it can also be a feel-good moment in a sea of dread. With the pending recession and economic struggles most are enduring, now is the perfect time to cultivate and share your business story.

Creating Your Best Business Story

Your business story must be true. This is not a time to take liberties on the facts but as I always say, what you leave out of a story is as important as what you put in. Here are a few ways to create a stellar business story:

Grow Positivity

A story without friction is simply pretty words. You need a struggle to make a story. Having said that, your business story is not the place for a lot of negativity. Paint the picture of the struggle (yours or your customers’) and then move to positivity and solutions. Spend most of your business story talking about the positive. People really need that right now.

Use Words That Convey Emotion

With shorter attention spans, you don’t have the luxury of creating an epic business story. You must hook them fast. Use words that are laden with emotion—words like love, pride, joy, etc. When people hear these, they associate their own experiences with them. These words carry stories within them. When words are at a premium, you want to use those that already carry a certain message to your audience. Make each of them count. Don’t drone on with long lead ins.

Do Your Research

Telling a compelling business story means knowing your audience. Who are they? What are they looking for? How do they spend their free time? Knowing these things can help you make connections with your ideal customer and draw them in. An easy way to do this research is to look at your social media posts. Which ones get the most shares or likes? What do those posts have in common? How can you translate that knowledge into crafting a better business story?

Be Consistent

Usually, this advice would be given about the importance of posting or sharing consistently over social media, and that’s true. But when it comes to creating a successful business story, you need to ensure the story you tell is in alignment with everything else you post. You can hire a talented marketing writer to create a masterpiece of a business story but if you’re posting daily about things that contradict your story, a disconnect will occur and it will eat away at the trust your audience places in you. They will wonder which is the real you and they will most likely assume it’s the daily posts, rendering your beautiful business story a work of fiction.

A strong business story will connect you to your audience. Today, people are looking for positivity. They’re looking for someone who’s overcoming challenges. They want assurances. But this is not a time to brag about how wonderful you are. It’s the time to show how you are helping, what you’re doing for your customers, and how you’re all in it together. Show you understand the struggles but are optimistic about what can be done when you help one another. While there are many worries in the world these days, it’s those very worries (and the assuaging of them) that will help you make connections quicker and hold onto them longer.

It may seem strange if you’re struggling in your business to work on your story—especially if you’re not sure where your business will be in the future. But it’s for that reason that you should start telling it. Customers need a reason to buy from you—outside of a bargain. They’re longing for something to believe in and if you craft a strong business story, you might just become that for someone.

Weekly E-News

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 15:35:31 GMT

Weekly E-News

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