Get Inspired in 2012!

Webster defines inspiration as a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation. This year’s Groundhog Breakfast speaker, Sean Swarner knows the meaning well. He has broken through defined human limitation in order to redefine the way the world views success.

Sean was diagnosed with two completely different types of cancer, once at the age of 13 and again at 16 when he was given fourteen days to live and read his last rights. He astounded the medical community when he survived both these brutal diseases and a medical-induced coma. Sean realized that after defeating cancer twice, no challenge would ever be too great or any peak too high.

Sean proved his theory when he crested the peak of the highest point in the world (Mount Everest) with only partial use of his lungs. As the first cancer survivor to do so, Sean decided to continue climbing and has since topped the highest peaks in Africa, Europe, South America, Australia, Antarctica, and North America.

Swarner is living proof that despite the worst prognosis, there is hope for cancer patients and their families.
“Frankly I don’t know why I’m alive,” Swarner says. “But I’m incredibly grateful for the life I have. Somehow I found the inner will to get up and out of that hospital bed. My message is that people should really enjoy every moment they’ve been given. You have one chance-make the most of it.”

Sean’s story will take you on a journey that is not only inspiring, but offers a message of hope that taps into that motivational adrenaline rush that runs through all of us. Sean reveals a life of limitless possibility as he details the seemingly impossible boundaries he has conquered, battles he has fought, and peaks he has climbed; all motivated by an astonishing inner strength and super-human like physical endurance.  Step into Sean’s world and venture back into your own life believing not only in the durability and strength of the
human condition, but you will believe in yourself, your own strength and your own ability to achieve anything.

If you only attend one Chamber event this year, this is the ONE you won’t want to miss. The Groundhog Breakfast will be held on Friday, February 3.  Click here to make your reservation now and get ready to be inspired! For information on Sean Swarner log onto www.seanswarner.com.

Posted by:  Jennifer McDonald

Big News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cheri Hottinger


November 3, 2011

U.S. Chamber Awards Licking County Chamber of Commerce with Accredited Status

Newark, Ohio - The United States Chamber of Commerce today awarded the Licking County Chamber of Commerce with Accredited status for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.

“Accreditation validates a chamber as having programs that benefit their local economy and for positively influencing action in their community,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, U.S. Chamber Executive Director of Political Affairs and Federation Relations. “We applaud these organizations for advancing the principles of free enterprise.”

Accreditation is the only national program that recognizes chambers for their effective organizational procedures and community involvement. In order to receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, and technology. This extensive self-review can take 6-9 months to complete.

“This prestigious honor puts us among the top 3% of chambers nationwide”, said President Cheri Hottinger. “Going through the Accreditation process has made us a better chamber and has enabled us to serve our members in ways we never did before. It is certainly a milestone achievement.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

Industry Meets Educators

Today I participated in an event called STEM Over Lunch at The Works.  Here's how it worked:  There were eight tables of educators and eight representatives from our manufacturing companies in Licking County.  We placed an industry representative at each table and they had eight minutes to talk about how important STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) is to the daily operations of their respective companies.  I am thankful for the companies who participated:

• Bayer MaterialScience
• The Boeing Company
• Owens Corning Research & Development
• Momentive
• Goodrich
• Bionetics
• Screen Machine Industries
• Packaging Corporation of America

As I listened to the presentations from the eight different presenters, I wrote down some skills that each of them say are required in order to work at their facilities.  Here is my skill cloud from the event:

chemistry BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT engineering  PHYSICS GEOMETRY COMPUTERS ROBOTICS WEIGHTS PROBLEM SOLVING  IMAGINATION SCIENCE GRAPHING MIXING MELTING MATH CONVERSIONS FRACTIONS REPAIR CIRCUITS measurements FINANCING BUDGETING COMMUNICATION TEAMWORK  DECISION MAKING TROUBLESHOOTING ALGEBRA

Now if we can just get this message to the future workforce. . .

--Posted by Cheri

2011 Candidate Questionnaire

Every year the Chamber  sends out Candidate Questionnaires to a variety of candidates running for offices throughout Licking County.

This year we featured candidates running in the following races:

Newark Mayor
Newark Council-At-Large
Newark Council President

Heath Council-At-Large

Pataskala Council Wards Races in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th

Reynoldsburg Mayor
Reynoldsburg Council President
Reynoldsburg 2nd and 3rd Ward Seats

You can now view the completed questionnaires by clicking here.

Redistricting Maps

From the Ohio Chamber. . .

Federal law requires each state to redraw its Congressional districts every ten years so that each of the 435 members of Congress represents roughly the same number of people. This year, because Ohio’s population has lagged behind other states, Ohio finds itself drawing 16 districts, down from the 18 it previously had. Because Ohio is losing two seats, the combining of districts was inevitable. In northern Ohio, Democratic incumbents Marcy Kaptur of Toledo and Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland now find themselves in the same district. In west-central Ohio, Republicans Steve Austria of Beavercreek and Mike Turner of Dayton will presumably face off in a primary. Also, because of the creation of a new district that contains most of the city of Columbus, Democrat Betty Sutton and Republican Jim Renacci are also now in the same district in northeastern Ohio. To see the new map, click here.


State General Assembly districts are also subject to reapportionment to ensure that each district has roughly the same population. A five member panel, known as the Reapportionment Board and made up of the governor, secretary of state, auditor of state, a legislative Democrat and a legislative Republican, is responsible for the new state legislature maps. To see the new House map, click here. To see the new Senate map, click here.

New Partnership Announced

Today the county, chamber and port authority announced a new private-public partnership which has been created for the sole purpose of economic development. A CIC (community improvement corporation) is in the process of being formed, which will provide unity and direction for economic development - something that has been needed for a long time. The chamber has always had economic development as a key priority and will continue to do everything possible to keep Licking County a thriving place to work, live and raise a family.

Public Hearing Set Regarding the Ohio Apportionment Board

Apportionment Board to Hold Public Hearing


NEWARK—The Ohio Apportionment Board—which is comprised of Governor John Kasich, Secretary of State Jon Husted, Auditor of State Dave Yost, Senate President Tom Niehaus, and House Minority Leader Armond Budish—will be hosting a public hearing in Newark on Friday, August 26th.

Who: Ohio Apportionment Board

What: Public hearing

Where: The Ohio State University Newark, Reese Center – Alfred Performing Arts Hall (RS110) (1179 University Drive, Newark, Ohio 43055)

When: Friday, August 26th at 9 a.m.