Chillicothe & Ross County — Members of the Chamber gathered for their annual dinner, saw awards given out, and heard a little pep talk on the future of the paper mill.
The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce met in Bell Manor southeast of town last night. The awards:
- 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year – Dave Strickland
- Legacy Award – Printex Same-Day Printing / Jeffrey Marshall II
- Corporate Citizenship – Rock For Tots / Paul Pollard
- Young Professional of the Year – Joshua Walter
- Special Recognition – Diane Carnes
The chamber’s news release explains more, below.
Mike Throne, President and CEO of the chamber that serves more than 780 businesses, closed with a pep talk about the ‘in-limbo” status of the paper mill that threatens the local economy.
He said that a question constantly asked of him is “What’s going on with the paper mill?” His answer: “We’re working on it.” Throne said there is incredible dedication locally, and they’re working together with collaborative energy to offer a real sense of hope.
He said we need to focus on what we CAN do. His mantra: “Win a minute, then win an hour, then win a day” – take one step at a time, and gain small victories that build momentum.
Hear him in his own words below.
Board games were table centerpieces and TV game shows were projected onto screens with the event theme of “Game On!” on May 13th, 2025.
The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce has a website, Facebook page, X / Twitter account, and YouTube page.
