Shop Local!!!!! And Always Buy Chamber!

Halloween and Thanksgiving are past and, Christmas and Chanukah will soon be here. As this is the season to be jolly, every Tom, Dick, and Molly should shop local at the numerous Nordonia Hills small businesses. That would have many benefits for the environment, for the shopper and for Nordonia Hills’ local economy.

Shopping locally saves gasoline and its environmental pollution effects. It saves the shopper's time, and wear on the shopper's car. Our local merchants provide great service including special ordering products or sizes not in stock, and making suggestions on how to solve household problems that we hadn't thought about. Bringing our business to local merchants helps to keep those commercial taxes paying into Nordonia Hills’ property tax accounts, thus keeping residential property taxes lower. Nordonia Hills merchants generally employ local residents and donate to local churches and community programs.

Unfortunately, many Nordonia Hills residents aren't aware of all the products sold locally or the likelihood that they can be special-ordered and available locally within a day or two. Check the Nordonia Hills Chamber of Commerce Business Directory (online) to find out which of our local businesses belong to our chamber and have made the commitment to support our business community.

All of us can work together to help make Nordonia Hills a "sustainable community" by shopping local this holiday season to help our local environment, our local economy, and of course, ourselves.

Start 2011 with a FRESH OUTLOOK

ATTENTION AREA BUSINESSES - Start 2011 with a FRESH OUTLOOK – and a fresh list of contacts! Northeast Ohio STILL needs the products and services that you offer. Let us help you get the word out! Chamber membership = more contacts = more business! NOW is the time to make the investment in your business. Make us your business partner! The Nordonia Hills Chamber of Commerce “FRESH OUTLOOK” MEMBERSHIP DRIVE is in full swing. All new members (through 12/31/2010) receive: $35 discount on your New Member Investment, 2 FREE Members Only advertising emails to 800+ emails ($25 value) PLUS a FREE set Member-to-Member mailing labels ($25 value).

Membership savings and benefits include the VIP member-to-member discount program, savings on health insurance, workers’ comp, and office supplies, use of bulk postage permit, promotion opportunities and exposure at networking events. Don’t let another year go by with Chamber membership sitting on your “to-do” list. NOW is the time to make this wise business decision. Call the Chamber office at 330-467-8956 or go online to become a member today.

Time again to show the love - for your own community!!

It’s time again to show the LOVE! Reserve Tuesday, Dec. 7 for the NHCOC Annual Networking Party & Auction. This year the fun will be from 5-8 PM at Gambitta’s Party Center in Northfield. Admission is $5 plus 5 non-perishable foods (please check expiration dates). First Merit is sponsoring the mixed drinks again this year. All attendees are asked to ring a dish to share - last names beginning ‘A’ to ‘H’, please bring a dessert. All others, please bring an appetizer. Pick-a-Prize auction items are now being collected in the Chamber Office. Please call our committee chair Jami Aquino 330-384-7452(FirstMerit) or the Chamber Office (330-467-8956) regarding sponsorships ($25 - $500) or donations. The $500 and $100 level sponsorships include free raffle tickets and a reserved table for your group. All sponsorships include a logo link to your business. For more information on this event, please go to our web site.

I know the economy is bad, but this is the time to open your hearts to others whose need is greater. The Chamber Holiday Party supports the Emergency Assistance Center that feeds hungry people RIGHT HERE IN NORDONIA HILLS! Just a small sponsorship gives you recognition on our web site, the local newspaper and on the weekly email sent to over 900 emails. Your raffle prize donation enables us to raise funds to give some of those deserving families a little bit of Christmas fun. Please plan to attend our Holiday Party – and bring your co-workers! By working together, all our struggles will be easier.

Sponsors to date include: Sleigh Bell Sponsors are Jackson Comfort Systems, Key Bank, Ridgway Insurance and Hageman Pest Control, Elmcroft of Sagamore Hills is a Jingle Bell Sponsor and The Boyle Group and Crossroads Chiropractic Center are Silver Bell sponsors. Corporate food donations will be coming from Panini’s of Sagamore Hills, Spennato’s Ristorante, Winking Lizard and Chick-fil-A.

Shop Nordonia Hills first during this holiday season and throughout the coming year. From shoes to house additions, landscaping to cakes and cookies, Nordonia Hills businesses have just about anything you can buy out of town, at a competitive price. Our local merchants provide reliable products and good service AND they know their customers. So before you spend your money out of town or online, do your homework and check locally first. You’ll save a trip, find a bargain and boost our home economy. Here are more reasons to shop local:

• Local business owners contribute to more local fundraising and 501(c)3’s.
• Local businesses provide a majority of jobs.
• Local businesses support other local businesses.
• The business community becomes reflective of this community’s unique culture.
• The sales taxes I pay support this community and county: fixing my roads, maintaining the parks, etc.
• Competition and diversity result in fair prices and more choices.
• Shopping local reduces my carbon footprint.
• Local business owners invest in the community and have a vested interest in the future of this community.
• My hometown is more important than a cheap pair of underwear!