Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

What Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce does

The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit business organization founded in 1888 (originally as the Board of Trade, renamed in 1912) that serves businesses, organizations, professionals, and job seekers across Ross County, Ohio. It is governed by a member-elected board of directors and led by President and CEO Mike Throne, and operates a single headquarters at 45 E. Main St. in Chillicothe where it co-locates with Greater Chillicothe Ross County Development, Downtown Chillicothe, and OhioSE, and provides conference space to the OSU Small Business Development Center from Piketon.

The Chamber delivers a portfolio of programs and services rather than a single product. Core offerings include tiered membership investment levels (Community Champion, Visionary, Influencer), a member directory and job board hosted on GrowthZone, a calendar of networking events (Lunch w/ 12 Strangers, Business After Business, ribbon cuttings, Women in Business Luncheon, Health Network, Chamber Golf Outing, Business Expo), the Ross County Safety Council operated in partnership with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (80+ member employers), the EPIC young professionals network targeting the 21-45 age cohort, and the SciotoValleyForward.com workforce development initiative launched in 2025 in response to a paper mill closure. Technology infrastructure is intentionally lightweight: a WordPress CMS website and the GrowthZone SaaS platform for member management, event registration, and directory listings.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: recurring annual membership dues from local businesses and organizations, tiered sponsorship income from Platinum and Influencer-level investors, and one-time event/programming fees ranging from $15 luncheons to multi-day outings. The Chamber is a member of both the Ohio and U.S. Chambers of Commerce, holds a BBB A+ accreditation, and is a 2025 member of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. Financial figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://chillicotheohio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit founded in 1888 that serves businesses, professionals, and job seekers across Ross County, Ohio through tiered memberships, networking events, the Ross County Safety Council, the EPIC young professionals network, and the 2025-launched SciotoValleyForward.com workforce development initiative.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chillicothe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from businesses and organizations in Ross County. Members receive benefits including directory listing, networking opportunities, event access, and workforce development resources.
2. Event Fees: Fees charged for Chamber events including Luncheons, Golf Outings, Business After Business networking events, Lunch with 12 Strangers, Ribbon Cuttings, and educational workshops. Events range from $15 luncheons to multi-day outings.
3. Sponsorships: Platinum and investor-level sponsorship opportunities for businesses seeking visibility and association with the Chamber's programs and events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Chamber operates a membership-based business association serving Ross County, Ohio. It sells tiered business memberships (Community Champion, Visionary, Influencer) and delivers networking events, the Ross County Safety Council, the EPIC young professionals network, workforce development/job listings, advocacy representation, and a shared Business Center office at 45 E. Main St. Support functions include a member directory and online payment portal.

Product overview

The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce operates as a membership-based business organization offering a portfolio of programs and services rather than a unified technology product. Its core offerings include a membership investment program connecting businesses to networking events (such as Lunch w/ 12 Strangers, Business After Business, and ribbon cuttings), the Ross County Safety Council workforce safety program, EPIC young professionals network, Health Network meetings, Women in Business Luncheons, and annual events including the Golf Outing and Business Expo. Supporting services include job listings, a member directory, event calendar management, online payment processing, and physical office space with conference facilities at 45 E. Main St. The chamber launched SciotoValleyForward.com in 2025 as a workforce development initiative responding to the paper mill closure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chamber Membership Program Tiered business membership program (Community Champion, Visionary, Influencer) connecting Ross County businesses to a member directory, networking events, advocacy representation, and workforce development resources.
• Ross County Safety Council Workplace safety program serving 80+ member employers in Ross County, providing safety training, compliance resources, and loss-prevention support through a partnership with the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
• EPIC Young Professionals Network Ross County's official young professionals network for adults aged 21-45, engaging them through social, civic, professional development, and charitable programming.
• Workforce Development & Job Listings Online job board at members.chillicotheohio.com/jobs and the SciotoValleyForward.com workforce development initiative (launched 2025), connecting Ross County employers with job seekers and providing workforce-development coordination through the Southern Ohio Employer Resource Network.
• Event Management & Networking Programs Portfolio of networking events including Lunch w/ 12 Strangers, Business After Business, Lunch and Lead with Mike Throne, Bites and Business, ribbon cuttings, and the annual Chamber Golf Outing and Business Expo, registered and managed through the GrowthZone platform.
• Health Network Monthly healthcare-focused networking meetings hosted by Adena Health at the PACCAR Education Center, bringing together medical professionals and the broader Ross County business community.
• Greater Chillicothe Women in Business Luncheon Annual women's professional development and networking event featuring panel discussions on health and wellness topics, hosted at the PACCAR Medical Education Center, with tickets priced at $15 per person.
• Chamber Digital Times Digital newsletter and content platform delivered via communityvideomagazine.com, providing updates on Chamber activities, member news, and community information for Ross County.
• Member Directory Searchable online directory of Chamber member businesses, organized by category including health care, real estate, education, and professional services, accessible to the community through the GrowthZone member portal.
• Online Payment System Secure online payment portal integrated with the GrowthZone platform for processing Chamber membership dues, event fees, and other member transactions.
• Business Center Office Space Headquarters facility at 45 E. Main St., Chillicothe, operated as a one-stop resource hub for members and developers, with conference room availability for OSU SBDC and OhioSE counseling sessions, and shared office space with Greater Chillicothe Ross County Development and Downtown Chillicothe.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ross County Safety Council has grown to more than 80 members
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ohio Bureau of Workers' CompensationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through which the Chamber oversees the Ross County Safety Council operation. The council focuses on providing safe working environments for employees in Ross County and is governed by its own steering committee with 80+ member employers.
• Ohio State University Small Business Development Center (OSU SBDC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOSU SBDC out of Piketon uses the Chamber's conference room on an as-needed basis to help counsel people looking to start businesses in the area.
• OhioSEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional development organization that uses Chamber offices and conference room to provide services for area businesses.
• Greater Chillicothe Ross County DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShares office space at the Business Center at 45 E. Main St. Provides economic development services for the region.
• Downtown ChillicothecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShares office space at the Business Center at 45 E. Main St. Focused on downtown development and revitalization.
• EPIC (Ross County Young Professionals Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoss County's official young professionals network program for 21-45 year olds. Active group engaging in social, civic, professional development, and charitable endeavors. Ross County's newest program.
• Ross Chillicothe Convention & Visitors BureauminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoint marketing partner for tourism and visitor information. Chamber provides referrals for visitor services. Located at visitchillicotheohio.com with phone 740.702.7677.
• Scioto Valley ForwardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development initiative launched in 2025 in response to paper mill closure. Website provides information and services for job seekers and will become workforce development page for all of Ross County.
• Southern Ohio Employer Resource Network (Ohio ERN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber participates in the Southern Ohio Employer Resource Network for workforce development coordination.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber: Major Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana tri-state regional chamber with a comparable membership, advocacy, and small-business support model. Larger in scale and resources, but addresses the same fundamental value proposition for member businesses.
• Columbus Chamber of Commerce: Serves the broader Columbus, Ohio region — the same state, adjacent geography (45 minutes from Chillicothe). Same Chamber-of-Commerce model with tiered membership, advocacy, and workforce programs, but operating at significantly larger scale in a metropolitan market.
• Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce: Ohio-based regional chamber offering the same core mix of membership tiers, networking events, advocacy, and workforce development. Comparable in mission and program structure, but serving a larger metropolitan area in southwest Ohio.

Others

• Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE): Industry body to which Chillicothe Ross already belongs (2025 membership). Provides professional development, benchmarking, and best-practice resources to Chamber executives — adjacent/ecosystem relationship rather than a competitor.

Direct peers

• Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce: Small-city Ohio-region chamber serving Marietta and Washington County. Closest comparable in scale, geography (southeastern Ohio), and program mix — membership tiers, networking events, and community economic development focus.
• Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce: Another small southeastern Ohio chamber with comparable mission, structure, and program portfolio. Operates in a similarly post-industrial regional economy, making it a strong operational peer for benchmarking.

Broad incumbents

• Ohio Chamber of Commerce: Statewide umbrella chamber of which Chillicothe Ross is itself a member. Provides state-level advocacy and policy representation, and represents the broader tier of the Chamber ecosystem above the local Ross County chapter.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: National federation of which Chillicothe Ross is also a member. Sets national policy advocacy agenda and represents the apex of the Chamber network; not a direct competitor but the institutional counterpart in the same trade association hierarchy.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ChillicotheRossChamber
• Xx.com/ChamberChilli

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce