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In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins talks with Amanda Fisher of Corporate Intelligence Consultants about e-Verify, the federal employment verification system, and why a new Ohio requirement means more employers may need to pay attention right now.

While e-Verify has long been used by federal contractors and other employers, Ohio is now adding a new mandate for certain non-residential contractors, with implications that can extend to subcontractors and staffing agencies as well. Amanda breaks down what e-Verify is, how it works alongside the I-9 process, what employers in Ohio should be doing now, and why this is more than just another piece of HR paperwork.

The conversation covers:

• What e-Verify is and how it works
• Which Ohio employers may be affected by the new law
• Why subcontractors and staffing agencies should pay attention
• What risks and fines come with noncompliance
• Why policies, contracts, and internal processes matter just as much as enrollment
• Where employers can go for reliable guidance

If you’re a business owner, HR leader, contractor, or staffing partner this episode is a timely look at a compliance issue that could have a real impact on your hiring process.

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Transportation may not be the first thing businesses think about when discussing workforce challenges, but maybe it should be.

In this episode of Chamber Amplified, Doug Jenkins talks with Kendra Lenz of Rowmark about how access to reliable transportation directly impacts hiring, retention, attendance, and workforce development in Hancock County.

They discuss:

• Why transportation is becoming a bigger workforce issue
• How Tall Timbers businesses are partnering with HATS
• The real cost of absenteeism tied to transportation gaps
• Why vehicle affordability is part of the challenge
• How local support for transit leverages federal funding
• What the proposed microtransit plan could mean for employers

With over 87,000 rides provided in 2025 and more than 4,200 ride requests turned away due to capacity limits, the need for reliable workforce transportation is clear.

If you care about hiring, retention, and keeping Hancock County’s economy strong, this is a conversation worth hearing.

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Hancock Youth Leadership (HYL) helps high school students build real-world confidence, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the community. In this episode, you’ll hear that impact directly from a student leader.

Doug Jenkins talks with Maya Logsdon, a Senior Board Representative for Hancock Youth Leadership, about what the program is really like, what surprised her most, and why the community component of HYL often becomes the biggest takeaway.

They discuss:

• Why HYL is more than “leadership skills," and how it changes students’ perspective
• How students build confidence through communication, connection, and community exposure
• What Senior Board Reps do behind the scenes (and why it’s a major growth experience)
• How recruitment works across Hancock County schools, including Findlay High School
• How local businesses can support HYL through fundraisers and student-led outreach
• What students need to know about the application process and recommendations

The deadline to apply for the next Hancock Youth Leadership class is February 27, 2026 for current sophomores in Hancock County and Findlay City Schools.

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Cybersecurity threats are increasing in 2026, and AI is making scams more sophisticated than ever.

In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins talks with Josh Rabe of CentraComm about the growing rise in phishing attacks, ransomware threats, data breaches, and how artificial intelligence is lowering the barrier for cyber criminals.

They talk about:

• Why phishing remains the #1 entry point into businesses
• How AI is making scam emails harder to detect
• The importance of employee cybersecurity training
• What “least privilege” and zero-trust security mean for small businesses
• How cyber insurance works, and what it doesn’t cover
• What to do immediately if your business experiences a breach

Whether you’re a small business owner, nonprofit leader, or corporate executive, this episode provides practical steps to strengthen your organization’s cybersecurity posture.

Cyber threats aren’t slowing down, but with the right preparation, your business doesn’t have to be an easy target.

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On this episode of Chamber Amplified, we take a closer look at franchise businesses in the area and why they’re often more local than people realize.

Franchises sometimes get lumped into the “big box vs. buy local” debate, but the reality is more nuanced. Many franchise operators are deeply embedded in their communities, creating jobs, supporting local organizations, and investing time and resources right where they live and work.

Host Doug Jenkins is joined by Paul Hadde, the franchise operator of Chick-fil-A in Findlay, to talk about what it’s really like to operate a franchise at the local level. They discuss how franchisees engage with the community, how local ownership works within a national brand, Paul’s path to Findlay, and what’s ahead for Chick-fil-A in the area - including updates many listeners are curious about.

This conversation is a good reminder that a strong local economy includes a mix of independent businesses, franchises, and larger employers - and that community impact often depends less on the logo and more on the people behind it.

Chamber Amplified is a free podcast made possible by the investment of members of the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, highlighting the issues, ideas, and people shaping our local business community.

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In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins sits down with Jennie Gilroy from the Hancock Leadership Class of 2026 to talk about this year’s community impact project: building a safer, more usable playground for families in Riverview Terrace.

You’ll hear why the project matters (it’s about more than playground equipment, it’s about safety, connection, and giving kids a healthy place to play), how the team is relocating equipment from the former Lincoln School with support from the city, and what’s happening behind the scenes right now - from planning and approvals to painting, layout, and community input sessions to make sure the final result reflects what the neighborhood actually wants.

Jennie also shares how Hancock Leadership helps new and longtime residents better understand local challenges, build relationships across industries, and learn to work with different personalities and skill sets, all while doing real work that benefits the community.

Want to support the project? You can donate here. The class is fundraising toward a $20,000 goal (including a major $10,000 gift from Flag City Morning Rotary Club). Learn more and donate via the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce website by searching “2026 Hancock Leadership.” 

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Note: This episode is a bit different than our usual format. Due to the level 3 snow emergency and being snowed out of the office, Doug wasn't able to access our normal podcast equipment. As a result, you won’t hear our standard intro and outro this week. We’ll be back to the regular format next week.

In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Doug Jenkins is joined by Zach Thomas of Hancock County ADAMHS to break down the newly released Hancock County Community Health Improvement Plan and what it means for the local business community.

Every three years, community partners come together to assess the biggest health challenges facing Hancock County and identify priorities for action. This latest plan highlights recurring issues like access to care, housing, transportation, mental health, substance use, and chronic disease - topics that increasingly intersect with workforce stability, employee well-being, and economic competitiveness.

Doug and Zach discuss:

• What the Community Health Improvement Plan is and why it exists
• Key findings from the latest community survey and focus groups
• What “access to care” really means beyond just having providers available
• Why employers should care about community health outcomes
• How businesses of all sizes can engage without becoming health care providers
• The connection between housing, workforce recruitment, and long-term economic growth
• How accountability and transparency are built into the plan through 2028

This conversation frames community health not as a social issue alone, but as a business issue - one that affects productivity, retention, recruitment, and quality of life across Hancock County.

If you’re a business owner, manager, HR professional, or community leader wondering how public health planning impacts your organization, this episode provides a practical, local perspective.

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In the first new episode of 2026, Chamber Amplified takes a closer look at the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce and the role it plays in supporting the local business community beyond networking events and ribbon cuttings.

Host Doug Jenkins is joined by Chamber Director Dionne Neubauer to discuss leadership development, professional growth, and the Chamber’s priorities for the year ahead. The conversation highlights programs like Hancock Leadership, youth and young professional initiatives, women’s leadership programming, and how the Chamber continues to invest in both current and future community leaders.

Doug and Dionne also explore how the Chamber has evolved over nearly 140 years, why leadership and collaboration remain central to its mission, and how the organization works alongside economic development and tourism partners to strengthen Findlay and Hancock County. From workforce challenges and quality-of-life issues to education, technology, and community engagement, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Chamber helps businesses and communities thrive.

Whether you’re a business owner, nonprofit leader, or someone interested in the future of Findlay and Hancock County, this episode provides insight into how the Chamber is positioning the region for growth and success in 2026 and beyond.

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Original episode: January 20, 2023

If you’ve ever had someone spin an iPad around and say “just a few questions,” and you weren’t sure what you were supposed to do next - this Best Of episode is your playbook.

Doug Jenkins is joined by Daniel Post Senning of the Emily Post Institute to break down how tipping etiquette has evolved, why it feels so confusing right now, and what’s actually expected in the most common situations like restaurants, coffee shops, takeout, delivery apps, and more.

This is a practical, judgment-free conversation that helps customers feel more confident, and gives business owners a few simple ways to make tipping feel more seamless while still supporting employees who depend on gratuities.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Where tipping is still essentially “part of the deal” (and why)
• The standard expectations for sit-down restaurant service
• How to think about tips for counter service (coffee shops, quick-service, retail)
• What’s reasonable for takeout / pickup orders
• How to handle tipping on DoorDash/Uber Eats when the app asks before service is delivered
• Why “gratitude” matters (and how that mindset reduces the awkwardness)
• Tips for business owners: how to set suggested tip options that don’t turn customers off
• Why a better tipping experience can help with customer satisfaction and employee retention

Guest:

Daniel Post Senning — Emily Post Institute
 More resources: EmilyPost.com

Great for:

Customers who want clarity and confidence, and business owners who want to improve the checkout experience without losing the human element of service.

Chamber Amplified is produced by the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, featuring weekly conversations designed to help local businesses thrive.

Have a topic idea for a future episode?
 📧 Doug Jenkins: [email protected]

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Originally aired February 24, 2023

Doug Jenkins is back with another Best Of episode of Chamber Amplified, and this one is a must-listen for anyone thinking about downtown development, small town revitalization, and building momentum in local communities.

In this episode, Doug sits down with Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation in Bellefontaine, Ohio, to unpack how one small town went from struggling storefronts to a thriving destination through incremental development, local entrepreneurship, and private investment.

Jason shares what actually moves the needle in rural communities: creating gathering places, reducing fear around competition, and building a critical mass of businesses that makes a downtown a destination. The conversation also connects the dots to communities like McComb and other small towns that have the “bones” to grow again - if the right vision and investment come together.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What Small Nation does and why their model focuses on “places, spaces, and dreams”
• How Bellefontaine went from 80% vacant first floors to real downtown momentum
• Why restaurants and gathering spaces often serve as catalyst projects
• The “critical mass” effect: how more businesses can increase traffic for everyone
• Real results from Bellefontaine’s transformation:
  • 56 historic buildings renovated
  • 7 new restaurants launched
  • 34 upper-floor loft apartments created
  • 20+ specialty retail stores added
  • $30M in new private capital invested (without public subsidies)
• Why fear of competition slows growth - and how communities overcome it
• What small towns can do Monday–Thursday vs. how they can win on weekends
• Why remote work, quality-of-life amenities, and community identity matter more than ever

Guest:

Jason Duff — Founder, Small Nation (Bellefontaine, OH)
 🌐 smallnationstrong.com
 🎧 Small Nation Podcast (available on Apple Podcasts + major platforms)

Great for listeners interested in:

Downtown development, community revitalization, rural economic development, small business growth, tourism strategy, placemaking, and entrepreneurship in small towns.

Chamber Amplified is a podcast from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, featuring practical conversations that help local businesses and communities grow.

Have a topic idea for a future episode?
 📧 Doug Jenkins: [email protected]

Music and sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com