Member Benefits
Your investment in The Highland County Chamber of Commerce comes with a number of exciting plans and programs, all designed to support your business and the economic strength of Highland County.
SOCA Benefit Plan
Are you looking for an option for health insurance for your small business? The Highland County Chamber of Commerce urges you to look at the SOCA Benefit Plan. This plan, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield Blue Access PPO Network, is an alternative option to Affordable Care Act insurance plans.
The SOCA Benefit Plan is a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA). This allows multiple employers to form a single large pool to leverage purchasing power and share in the overall claims risk. The plan is available to small businesses with 2-50 employees and a minimum of two employees must be enrolled. There is also a sole proprietor option. There are additional products, including dental, vision, life and disability also available through this plan.
Why enroll in this Chamber member benefit?
- You can use this benefit to recruit and retain employees
- Employer sponsored group health insurance plans are more affordable and provide better coverage than most individual plans
- Employer sponsored group health insurance plans provide tax advantages to your business and your employees
- Access to the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Access PPO Network
How do I learn more?
- You can get a preliminary quote from Gibbs Associates. Simply send the following to Lori Tompkins at lori.t@gibbsinsuranceassociates.com. You can also call Lori at 937-393-3444.
- Name and address of business
- Name and DOB’s of employees to be considered for health insurance
- Name of DOB’s of employees spouses/children to be considered for health insurance (if any)
- You can get a preliminary quote from Cincinnati Benefit Solutions. Simply send the following to Michael Kusters at mkusters@inscbs.com. You can also call Michael at 513-661-1114.
- Name and address of business
- Name and DOB’s of employees to be considered for health insurance
- Name of DOB’s of employees spouses/children to be considered for health insurance (if any)
Anthem Chamber Saver Plan
Are you looking to save on health insurance for your business? The Anthem Chamber Saver Plan is another health insurance option available to Highland County Chamber of Commerce members. This plan lets you choose between a variety of Anthem plans that are all backed by the nationwide network.
As a chamber member with 2-99 employees, you can have access to savings on an Anthem group health insurance plan through premium tax credit savings.
Why enroll in this Chamber member benefit?
- You can use this benefit to recruit and retain employees
- Employer sponsored group health insurance plans are more affordable and provide better coverage than most individual plans
- Employer sponsored group health insurance plans provide tax advantages to your business and your employees
- Access to the Anthem Network
How do I learn more?
- You can get a preliminary quote from Gibbs Associates. Simply send the following to Lori Tompkins at lori.t@gibbsinsuranceassociates.com. You can also call Lori at 937-393-3444.
- Name and address of business
- Name and DOB’s of employees to be considered for health insurance
- Name of DOB’s of employees spouses/children to be considered for health insurance (if any)
Chamber Energy Program & Chamber Sustainability Program
The Chamber Energy Program provides energy supply solutions for our members' homes, small businesses, and large commercial operations. As your trusted partner, we strive to provide education and protection in everything we do. The Chamber Sustainability Program helps members reduce their energy costs by connecting them with effective efficiency solutions and project funding and financing. This program can assist you with solution and vendor selection and ensure you are maximizing your ROI using a wide array of available federal, state, and local rebates, grants, incentives, and other funding options.
If you would like to obtain a complimentary bill review to see if you can save on your energy costs and/or improve your energy efficiency, simply choose one of the following options.
- Email a recent copy of your utility bill to billreview@ceateam.com
- Call 330-208-2082
For more information, visit https://chamberenergyprogram.com.
With electric rates increasing, are you looking for a way to save on your monthly electric and natural gas bills? The Chamber Energy Program is powered by Community Energy Advisors (CEA). CEA is a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) certified energy management firm that educates and empowers organizations to maximize the economics of their energy assets.
Why enroll in this Chamber member benefit?
- The Chamber Energy Program offers chamber members low fixed prices for electricity and natural gas
- Qualifying businesses that use natural gas in their operations are reviewed for saving and any tax exemptions they might be eligible for
- Contract renewal management
- Utility lighting rebates
How do I learn more?
- You can get a FREE bill review from Chamber Energy Program. Simply reach out to Kathy Eleser at chamberenergy@ceateam.com or 330-208-2082.
Hunter Consulting Company - Worker's Compensation
Could your business benefit from comprehensive consulting and claims administration in the area of Workers’ and Unemployment Compensations? Established in 1986, Hunter Consulting has established itself as one of Ohio's premier Third Party Administrators. Hunter has been the administrator for the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance's Workers' Compensation Group Rating Program since they were formed in 1993.
Why enroll in this Chamber member benefit?
- The Group Rating program is designed to substantially reduce your company's rate and may represent significant savings for your company.
- Hunter Consulting Company's Group Rating Program is one of the fastest growing programs in the State of Ohio, offering highly competitive premium discounts while maintaining excellent claims administrative services.
Each year Ohio employers have the opportunity to participate in BWC’s Group-Experience-Rating Program or Group-Retrospective-Rating Program. While these programs are not required, they do provide you with an opportunity to significantly reduce your workers’ compensation premiums, while increasing your awareness of safety and risk-management strategies.
Workplace safety is an important component of these programs. To succeed in accident prevention, we encourage you to use the many resources available to you. We believe a group-rating program is a partnership that includes you and your employees, your sponsoring organization or third-party administrator (TPA) and BWC. Each has specific roles and responsibilities, all designed to assist in preventing workplace accidents. This letter outlines the safety services expectations you should have as an employer enrolled in a group-rating program.
The employer will:
- Maintain a safe workplace
- Attend safety training to enhance workplace safety;
- Use BWC’s safety services as needed;
- Fulfill the required two-hour training requirement and provide proof of attendance to sponsor for claim(s) occurring within the last year.
The certified primary and affiliated sponsoring organizations will:
- Sponsor eight hours of safety training (this may be done at one time or may be provided incrementally as long as the total is at least eight hours);
- Provide information regarding safety resources to group members;
- Possibly assist an employer in achieving its safety needs;
- Manage employer fulfillment of the two-hour training requirement, where applicable;
- Publish this letter to group members.
The TPA may:
- Assist sponsoring organizations with fulfilling the group-rating safety requirements;
- Assist an employer with its safety needs;
- Work in conjunction with sponsors to develop safety training and deliver safety resources;
- Provide resources for claims handling.
BWC will:
- Monitor all group-rating safety activities to confirm requirements are met;
- Remain in communication with sponsoring organizations to provide recommendations for fulfilling safety requirements;
- Provide safety training through Ohio’s Center for Occupational Safety & Health;
- Offer on-site safety consultation (hazard assessments, air and noise monitoring, ergonomics evaluation, training) by a BWC safety professional;
- Offer publications and videos for safety program support;
- Conduct employer visits to confirm the employer is meeting group-rating requirements, when appropriate.
The goal of this collaborative effort is to make sure all your safety needs are met. Using these resources will assist you in preventing accidents, reducing claims costs and achieving the highest discounts possible. Below you’ll find contact information for various resources.
Group sponsor: Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council
TPA: Hunter Consulting Company
BWC: https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/employer/services/safetyhygiene.asp, groupratingsafety@bwc.state.oh.us
How do I learn more?
- You can get more information and a no cost, no obligation review from Hunter Consulting. Simply reach out to Jeff Price at 1-800-486-6652.
Retirement Plan
Are you looking to offer your employees a retirement plan but want to limit expense, fiduciary liability and time commitment? The Highland County Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Newport Retirement Services to offer a unique retirement plan solution to our members.
Thanks to the 2019 Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, employers of all sizes can now offer retirement plans to their employees through a Pooled Employer Plan (PEP). Similar to how Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA) benefits work, a PEP is a type of 401(k) plan where a group of employers “pool together” to provide an affordable retirement benefit to their employees without the administrative hassles of running a single-employer retirement plan.
Why enroll in this Chamber member benefit?
- You have historically not sponsored a retirement plan due to costs, time or concerns over potential fiduciary risk
- You can use this benefit to recruit and retain employees
- Costs for this program are generally lower because they are spread across a larger participant and asset base which can potentially reduce the costs for each employer in the plan
- Newport assumes responsibility for many of the fiduciary functions
- Newport assumes many of the operational and administrative burdens
- Adopting employers may use fewer resources allowing more focus on growing revenues and profits in their business
How do I learn more?
- You can learn more from Newport Retirement Services. Simply reach out to Dale Essenmacher at essenmacher@newportgroup.com or 248-212-3223.
i3 Commerce Technology - Payment Processing
i3 Commerce Technology offers our members payment processing, software, and hardware that help you get paid faster, safer, and smarter. Some of the solutions offered include: Credit + Debit Card Processing, Payment Gateway, Software Integration, Electronic Invoicing, eCommerce, Mobile Processing, Point-of-Sale Systems, Touchless Payments, ACH/Check Processing and Gift Card & Loyalty.
Why enroll in this Chamber member benefit?
- Get paid fast.
- Have the latest mobile solutions that fit your business.
- Process credit cards at the right level to lower interchange fees.
- Provide payment options that let your customers pay how they want to pay.
- Are treated with integrity and transparency.
- Are supported by the best customer service in the industry.
How do I learn more?
- You can contact Matt Valego at MValego@i3verticals.com or you can call Matt at 270-683-3475
- Visit: https://i3commercetech.com/partners/#interest-form
PartnerShip - Shipping Discounts
Are you looking to save money on your business' shipping needs? Through the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance (SOCA), our chamber member businesses can receive discounted shipping rates on eligible services. Sign up for the FedEx Advantage® discounts program for free to start saving on eligible services.
Why enroll in this Chamber member benefit?
- 45% off on FedEx Express® shipping
- 45% off on FedEx Express international shipping
- 25% off on FedEx Ground® shipping
- 25% off on FedEx Home Delivery®
How do I learn more?
- You can learn more about FedEx discounts available from PartnerShip. Simply reach out to sales@PartnerShip.com or call 1-800-599-2902
The Highland County Chamber has partnered with Elavon, a leading payment processor, to provide you with innovative payment solutions to enhance your business. Chamber members who take advantage of Elavon's payment processing program will get the Chambers preferred partner pricing.
Today, customers want you to accept payments a number of ways- in store, online, over the phone or mobile wallet. This doesn't need to be expensive or complicated, which is where Elavon can help. Elavon offers a simple, cost effective payment processing program, all backed by the highest standard of customer service.
Advantages of Choosing Elavon-
- All the payment types you need
- Elavon enables businesses to accept all major credit and debit cards, corporate, purchasing commercial cards and electronic checks.
- Latest payment technology
- Smart/Chip/EMV terminals, mobile wallet payment technology, billing and invoicing, medical payments software, in-person, online and tablet solutions for all of your business needs.
- Data security
- We help you protect data with strong encryption and tokenization technology with our Safe-T suite solution.
- Get the answers you need when you need them
- We are here when you need us with 24/7/365 access to Customer Service.
- Feel secure in knowing that you have a dedicated account manager to help you manage your payments efficiently.
- Convenient, Easily Accessible Reporting
- Monitor your account at your convenience from any web browser
Get a free competitive analysis and let us find a solution for your business. To learn more call John Webb at 937-671-1606 or john.webb@usbank.com
HFC Safety Council
Are you looking for additional resources or information to enhance your business' safety culture? A joint venture of the Highland, Fayette, and Clinton County Chambers and BWC (Bureau of Workers Compensation) the HFC Safety Council encourages workplace safety while offering additional savings on Workers' Compensation.
Why enroll in this Chamber member benefit?
- Members are able to attend monthly meetings that features presentations on various safety issues in the workplace.
- Upon meeting BWC eligibility requirements, companies can earn up to 4% discounts on their Workers' Compensation premiums. Enrollment in HFC Safety Council is required.
How do I learn more?
- You can learn more about the HFC Safety Council. Simply reach out to the Highland County Chamber at 937-393-1111
- Visit: www.hfcsafetycouncil.com
Networking Opportunities
Are you looking to meet and network with other businesses in Highland County? The Highland County Chamber of Commerce offers those opportunities at quarterly events: Business After Hours and Coffee & Commerce and at our main chamber events: Ag is Everyone's Business, Annual Dinner, and Golf Outing.
Why utilize this Chamber member benefit?
- Getting your logo and your employees out in the community is the best way to promote your business, widen your professional contacts/resources and create a work culture for your employees to be proud of. The chamber provides those opportunities for you to take advantage of!
- Open discussions offer the perfect opportunity to see what difficulties other local businesses face and their approach to overcoming those obstacles. As well as what those companies are excelling at.
How do I learn more?
- Like our Facebook page to stay up to date on Events: https://www.facebook.com/TheHCCOC
- Or access the chamber calendar: Chamber Events Calendar
News You Can Use
Your investment in The Highland County Chamber not only offers your business or organization exposure to potential customers but provides you with vehicles to keep current with news and issues important to your Highland County business and/or industry.
Why utilize this Chamber member benefit?
- Monthly newsletters provide your business with information on local networking, money saving, and business promotion opportunities.
- Website membership directory allows visitors to search your business by name or business category and to see your business information in one location.
- County newspaper and radio coverage keep you informed and provide publicity opportunities for your business.
- The Chamber's social media pages offer information, social interaction and publicity opportunities that are available to you as a chamber member.
How do I learn more?
- Contact the Highland County Chamber of Commerce by email info@thehighlandchamber.com or by calling (937)393-1111
Marketing Assistance
Do you need help getting your brand out into the community? Let The Chamber help you promote your business through the use of proven marketing techniques and resources. The Highland County Chamber offers members the opportunity to advertise with inserts in the monthly newsletter, dedicated social media posts and/or banner advertising on The Chamber website; www.TheHighlandChamber.com (rates available upon request).
Additionally, The Chamber works closely with the Small Business Development Center / OSU South Centers to provide you with specific workshops and one-on-one counseling to improve your marketing program’s effectiveness.
Why utilize this Chamber member benefit?
- The Chamber's Facebook has over 2,000 followers (and growing). The Highland Chamber has opportunities available to it's members to advertise for a number of occasions to those followers.
- The Chamber's website had 35,610 Member Directory searches from Jan 2022-Nov 2022. Sponsorship Ad Impressions are available upon request.
How do I learn more?
- Contact the Highland County Chamber of Commerce by email info@thehighlandchamber.com or phone (937)393-1111
Mailing Lists and Labels
Members may access the Chamber database for special promotions and marketing. Investors in The Chamber are entitled to a membership listing and a copy of mailing labels to utilize for their own mailings to fellow Chamber members. We do not sell this list to outside sources – this is a membership only benefit.
Why utilize this Chamber member benefit?
- Chamber members support chamber members. Being a member gives you access to others that will support you and your business with the "Shop Local" mentality.
How do I learn more?
- Contact the Highland County Chamber of Commerce by email info@thehighlandchamber.com or phone (937)393-1111
Special Events Assistance
Are you looking to have a special event to celebrate your business and unsure where to start or how to go about it? From your grand opening ribbon cutting to your 100th business' anniversary; we can assist in making your special event a success.
Why utilize this Chamber member benefit?
- The Chamber brings publicity and support in recognition of your efforts.
- Your Chamber investment includes assistance in promoting your special events – all you have to do is ask.
How do I learn more?
- Contact the Highland County Chamber of Commerce by email info@thehighlandchamber.com or phone (937)393-1111
Referral Services
The Chamber of Commerce has a reputation for being used as a "Yellow Pages" by the community for information on local business and community events. The chamber facilitates the connections between customer to business or even business to business.
Why utilize this Chamber member benefit?
- People call The Chamber office looking for specific products and services. Open your business door by being a Chamber member referral.
- The Chamber's website had 35,610 Member Directory searches from Jan 2022-Nov 2022. Once you become a member your business is added into the website's directory where people have the ability to access your business' contact information.
How do I become a member?
- Apply online: https://business.thehighlandchamber.com/member/newmemberapp
- Contact the Highland County Chamber of Commerce by email info@thehighlandchamber.com or by calling (937)393-1111
Through county-wide advertising The Chamber supports buying and doing business locally to increase the economic impact and growth of Highland County. The “Buy and Do Business Locally – It Does Matter to Highland County” message is spread throughout the county using various media including billboards, radio, print and website presence.
