Shopwise receives community improvement award at chamber meeting
Shopwise in Warsaw was awarded the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce Community Improvement Award for updates made at the store. Pictured receiving the award from Chamber Board Member Jesse Fischer (left) is Shopwise Manager Mark Bonham.
WEST LAFAYETTE – Shopwise in Warsaw was awarded the community improvement award at the quarterly Coshocton Chamber of Commerce meeting on Thursday, July 26 at Schumaker Farms in West Lafayette. Jesse Fischer presented the award.
“They’ve really completely changed the exterior of the store,” said Fischer. “It really does a lot to improve the community of Warsaw. We’re really appreciative of the owners putting in the time and effort to improve the store.”
Shopwise has been in business in Warsaw for 19 years. Mark Bonham, manager of the store, accepted the award.
“I’m really happy to get it and happy with the community support the last 19 years,” said Bonham. “I hope for another 20 years in business.”
Amy Stockdale, executive director of the chamber, gave a brief update of the chamber events in the community.
She stated that there are on average two to three ribbon cuttings at new businesses each month. She also announced there will be positive changes happening to the downtown area soon with a new restaurant and a major new business moving to downtown Coshocton.
The Employment Expo is fast approaching and will be at the Lake Park pavilion on Sept. 6. Stockdale also highlighted a few upcoming community events including an ice cream social hosted by HER Realty, 1502 Chestnut Street on July 31 at 4 p.m. to celebrate one year in business. She also said that the chamber is co-hosting a new business start-up class at COTC on Aug. 23. She reminded everyone that tickets are now on sale for United Way’s annual Taste of Coshocton, which will be Aug. 9 at Lake Park.
Mayor Steve Mercer reported that McDonalds will be closed beginning Aug. 4 for four months. The building will be torn down and completely remodeled.
The bridge project is reportedly on schedule. The mayor said that the pillars featured on the bridge will be made to look like canal blocks. There will also be a pedestrian tunnel that will connect SR 541 to Roscoe. This project is expected to be completed July 2020.
The city is also expanding water lines on CR 10 so that some households will be able to have access to city water. Coshocton is hoping to supply water to West Lafayette as well and Mercer reported that estimates on that project are available.
The mayor said that the city is continuing work on the water front river bike path.
“We have this great river and we’ve had very little access for people to get down to it and to enjoy it,” said Mercer.
Dane Shryock, Coshocton County Commissioner, gave an update on county projects.
“One of our mottos here recently has been to set an example for our neighbors,” said Shryock. “The Board of Commissioners are really excited to partner with Our Town Coshocton who took the lead in lighting the courthouse. I think it’s going to change the downtown look. It will speak volumes to our downtown.”
He also said that the county will be putting a new roof on the County Service Building at a cost of $250,000. They also had to close the public restrooms at the courthouse due to vandalism. They may have public restrooms at the artPARK for outdoor events at the courtsquare soon.
Shryock also announced that the state has required Coshocton County to update its election equipment. The cost of the new equipment, depending on the type of equipment purchased, will be between half a million and a million.
Tiffany Swigert, executive director of the Port Authority, said that there was a recent collaboration with the Ohio State University in which they produced a document about the community. That document will be used to help apply for grants to help develop five properties in Coshocton.
Mindy Brehms, director of the Coshocton CVB announced that in the last two months, they have unveiled two new projects, the Antique and Unique Trail which features 13 antique shops in and around the county, and the Three Rivers Motorcycle Trail. The Antique and Unique Trail as well as the Wine Trail are listed on the Ohio Travel Trails website.
She also announced that tourism brought in $56,500,000 in sales last year.
“We are part of Coshocton’s economy and we’re really proud of that,” said Brehms. “When someone comes in from out of town, they are vital to the economy of Coshocton County.”
Last year, there were 4,500 visitors from 19 countries, 44 states, and 83 counties in Ohio who came to Coshocton County. Most visitors come August through December to enjoy autumn in Coshocton County.
Vicki Maple at COTC spoke about the ACTT Grant. They received a grant for $238,500 for the Advance Coshocton Through Training program. The first group of students is nearing completion of their training and the second round of training is slated to begin in September. This is a free customized training to provide leadership advancement and job readiness.
She also announced that Oct. 5 will be the second annual manufacturing day.
Betsy Gosnell, executive director of Leadership Coshocton, ended the meeting by inviting everyone to “Think Tank Thursdays” the third Thursday of each month at Hannah Marie’s at 7:30 p.m. It is a community-minded group that focuses on ideas for the abandoned buildings in downtown Coshocton. Everyone is welcome.
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