CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – The Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce officially launched a coordinated community-wide campaign Monday aimed at sustaining businesses across the city that have been struggling with revenue losses tied to ongoing infrastructure construction.
The initiative — called Chillicothe Resilient: Bridge the Gap — targets businesses along North Bridge Street, Downtown, Western Avenue, High Street, and other affected corridors that have reported double-digit revenue declines. Some businesses have reduced staff as a direct result of the sustained losses. Chamber President and CEO Mike Throne said a widespread consumer misperception that businesses are closed or unreachable has compounded the problem even when those businesses remain fully open.
“No business in this community should weather disruption alone,” Throne said. “The construction is temporary but the businesses, the jobs, and the relationships built on these corridors are not.”
The campaign is anchored by the consumer tagline Shop Here. Eat Here. Stay Here. and will focus on three goals — driving measurable foot traffic back to impacted corridors, connecting businesses with financial relief resources, and building a lasting Chillicothe Resilient brand that extends beyond the current construction period.
The Chamber said the initiative is intentionally designed as a permanent community framework rather than a one-time response, so the city is prepared to support businesses during any future period of disruption.
The initiative is supported by a coalition that includes the City of Chillicothe, Ross County, Downtown Chillicothe, the Greater Chillicothe Ross County Development organization, local media, and participating businesses. The Chamber’s 700-plus member businesses provide an immediate communications network for the effort.
The Chamber’s headquarters at 45 E. Main Street — co-located with GCRCD, Downtown Chillicothe, and the OSU Small Business Development Center — will serve as a central resource hub.
The launch kicks off a 90-day sprint designed to establish momentum and connect businesses with available relief resources, followed by a 12-month execution calendar.
Residents and visitors can find participating businesses and directions at chillicotheohio.com. The initiative can be followed and shared using the hashtag #BridgeTheGap.