Heartland Bank Blog

Dr. Ed Seifried Enlightens Guests with Economic Forecast

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:43:00 GMT

Over 100 business professionals were in attendance at Heartland Bank’s 14th Annual Economic Forum at the Jefferson Country Club in Blacklick on May 15, 2013. Once again, the Forum featured the insights and retrospect of Dr. Edmond J. Seifried. Dr. Seifried is Professor Emeritus of Economics and Business at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. He serves as Executive Consultant and Chief Economist for the Sheshunoff CEO Affiliation Program and is also a partner in Seifried & Brew LLC, a community bank consulting firm.

As part of the Economic Forum tradition, Heartland Bank also partnered with one of our local community markets for a morning breakfast Forum. Bel Lago provided a beautiful venue for the Westerville market and Heartland was proud to host a group of local business owners and government leaders including State Senator Kevin Bacon and Westerville Mayor Kathy Cocuzzi.

“Dr. Seifried’s presentation gave our guests the insights on the impact of FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) meetings and Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia’s role in America’s march to energy independence,” stated Scott McComb, Chairman, President and CEO of Heartland Bank. “The Economic Forum is just one of the ways Heartland Bank continues its’ tradition of helping clients by bringing to them sound financial advice and excellent resources to help make valuable decisions.”

Dr. Seifried shared with the audience the positive impact of the drilling of Utica Shale in Ohio and Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania and how that process can lead to the energy independence of our nation. He also gave an explanation of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product), the stock market and several factors that affect its rise and fall. In addition, he discussed several other economic factors and how they relate to us, including his economic forecast for the next several years.

Heartland provides a quarterly economic update via webinar with Dr. Seifried that is free to the public. To register for this, and any future Heartland Bank events, visit our Webinar Registration page today.

For more information about Dr. Seifried, please visit his website at seifriedbrew.com.

As an added bonus for attendees, Dr. Seifried provided a chart of historical interest rates, going back to 1960. This chart documents many of the significant economic events over the past 50+ years such as the introduction of Medicare in 1963, the first OPEC oil embargo in 1973, NAFTA agreement signing in 1993, the terrorist attack of 9-11 and many more.

Download the Historical Rates Chart from April 22, 2013.

Photos From the Event

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Heartland Bank provides the “DOUGH” for the renovation of the historic Wonder Bread Building

Mon, 13 May 2013 02:54:00 GMT

Real estate investors Kevin Lykens and Chris Schnetzler of LS Development Systems, LLC, knew they had some of the ingredients necessary to acquire and rehab the historic Wonder Bread building. The missing ingredients weren’t flour and sugar, however, it was capital. With Heartland Bank’s help, Kevin and Chris reached one of their goals by helping them finance extensive renovations to the Columbus landmark.

The Wonder Bread building is located at 697 N. Fourth Street in Columbus, just off I-670 in the Italian Village area of Columbus. It was acquired by Lykens’ investment group in March of 2010. After removing all of the bakery equipment, renovations began in 2011 to transform the old bread factory into apartments with a modern day feel. Although the Italian Village Commission requires the outside of the building to remain the same, the interior is being reconstructed to house 66 apartments. Of those units, there are 55 different floor plans and all of them have high ceilings and retain some of the original features of the former bakery; exposed brick, steel beams and columns, large windows and polished concrete and red brick floors. In addition to the apartments, other amenities include a 2,500 square foot restaurant space, bike storage room and 70+ gated parking spaces on-site.

“With no advertising, we’ve received an overwhelming number of inquiries in the project,” stated Kevin Lykens. “I think people are really interested in the setting, and are looking for something unique.” Courtesy of Columbus Underground, be sure to check out the article by Brent Warren entitled "Wonder Bread Lofts Nearing Completion."

With Heartland Bank’s assistance, LS Development Systems, LLC, turned their “dough” into an investment towards the future. We can do that for you too! Contact our business lending professionals today and see what we can bake up for you!

For more information about the Wonder Bread Lofts

Wonder Bread Lofts
697 N. Fourth Street
Columbus, OH 43215
http://www.lykenscompanies.com/wonderbread.aspx

Lykens Companies
1020 Dennison Ave
Columbus, OH 43201
614.653.1212
http://www.lykenscompanies.com

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Hudson Import Auto Services Stays “Tuned Up” Thanks to Heartland Bank

Sun, 05 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Nhan Lee and Tyler Frank became business partners 17 years ago when they came together and formed Hudson Import Auto Services. They are the perfect example of the American Dream alive and well in central Ohio. At the time Hudson was formed, the two wanted to expand their small business and take ownership of their own property. This provided them the ability to have complete control of their business and with the help of Heartland Bank, they were able to do just that!

Through Heartland Bank’s business lending program, they were able to purchase their own building and fix it up to their specifications. They set high expectations for their facility and now that they owned their own building, they were able to “raise the bar” and are proud to provide the best in service for their customers.

“The job of the auto mechanic used to be a dying one”, according to Tyler Frank. “Today, a good auto mechanic can actually make more than a doctor who is just starting out because of the special knowledge it takes to be able to service all the different types of vehicles, systems and technology that is in today’s vehicles,” says Tyler.

Some mechanics work on all parts of any vehicle, while others chose to specialize in one area or on one type of vehicle. The best mechanics have mastery of a wide variety of integrated skills: electrical systems, computerized electronics, fuel systems, refrigeration and will invest $20,000 to $30,000 in tools alone. Also keeping today’s mechanics on their toes is the fact that designs of cars change every year. As a result, the job requires more preparation than ever before.

Speaking of tools, it’s not just the traditional wrenches and socket sets that occupy a successful mechanic’s toolbox these days. More and more, cars are controlled by electronic instruments, so mechanics are using computers constantly. In fact, computers have become an integral part of the toolbox and aspiring auto mechanics must have increasingly sophisticated vocational skills to be able to constantly adapt to changing technology. The integration of computers in automobiles means mechanics must be familiar with complicated new systems on a day to day basis.

Tyler and Nhan feel their success in both their business and improving the neighborhood will continue into for years to come. Currently they have two service bays but want to expand to eventually have seven to better serve their customers.

If your business could use a "tune up" when it comes your banking needs, be sure to let us know. While we don't call our business lending professionals "mechanics," they certainly have all the tools necessary to help your business succeed, so contact us today and let's get started.

In the meantime, if your vehicle needs some attention, be sure to visit the experts at Hudson Import Automotive today!

Hudson Import Auto Services
759 Hudson Road
Columbus, OH 43211
(614) 262-1522

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Celebrating Faith and Community Service at the Sold Out 13th Annual Pastors Appreciation Breakfast

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:12:00 GMT

Over 600 Pastors attended a sold out event at the 13th Annual Pastors Appreciation Breakfast, sponsored by 880 AM WRFD on April 24th at Villa Milano. This annual event gives pastors an occasion to be with other pastors and receive fresh insight and encouragement to help them continue their tireless service to their congregations.

Before the breakfast and program began the Pastors had the opportunity to visit with over 25 exhibitors. The Heartland Bank team was on hand to meet and visit with many of the Pastors and express to them their appreciation for all the great work in the communities they serve and the inspiration they give to the youth. “For many years we have been a sponsor of the Pastors Appreciation Breakfast. We are proud to recognize many Pastors and friends that we have worked with over the years. Heartland has been very involved with the church community and helping with their financial needs,” stated G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President and CEO.

A very inspirational message was given by the guest speaker, Tony Evans, Th.D, a Christian pastor and a widely-syndicated radio broadcaster in the United States. Dr. Evans is one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles. As a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, he serves the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truth through simple, yet profound, illustrations. While addressing the practical issues of today, Dr. Evans is known as a relevant expositor. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.

Dr. Evans serves as Senior Pastor to the over 9,500 member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, which was founded in 1976 with 10 members meeting at his home. He is also founder and president of The Urban Alternative, a national organization that seeks to bring about spiritual renewal in urban America through the church. The Urban Alternative radio broadcast, "The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans," can be heard over 500 outlets daily throughout the U.S. and in over 40 countries worldwide. The broadcast can also be viewed on several television stations.

Dr. Evans' goal is to transform communities around the world by changing it from the inside out. Both the National Adopt-A-School Initiative (NCAASI) and its paired program "Miracle of the Million" are aimed at empowering families to impact churches which transform communities within cities to reach the state and revolutionize the country in order to touch the world.Dr. Evans currently serves as chaplain for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and is also the longest serving NBA chaplain which he has done by serving the Dallas Mavericks for 32 years.

At the conclusion of the program, the Pastors and attendees were entertained by 220b Live It! Based out of Cleveland, OH, 220b is a 4 person high energy contemporary Christian band. Their sound is a combination of tight harmonies, creative musical arrangements and powerful percussion. Galatians 2:20b is the group's mission that they seek to live their lives by. The group's motto is “live it!” a challenge to live out your faith every day to the best of your abilities and you can visit them online at www.220bmusic.com.

To learn more about the many programs that 880 AM WRFD provides, visit www.wrfd.com.

Some Photos from the Event

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Columbus African American Chamber of Commerce is off to a Great Start

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Thanks to the vision and leadership of former Ohio Senator, Ray Miller, the Columbus African American Chamber of Commerce is off to a great start. In his new role as President and Founder he recognized “there were other ethnic-focused Chambers in Central Ohio for Hispanics and Asian-Americans, but not for the African American community, and I wanted to help change that.”

Ray has been involved in politics since he was 16 years old, so “serving the community” has been an important part of his life for many years. In 1980 he wrote the description for his position with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce as VP of Community Development. He talked about starting a Columbus African American Chamber of Commerce for many years, but one day he just decided to finally get it done and make it happen.

His vision was to make the board positions the most sought after positions in the city of Columbus. Ideally, he would like to have a 19-member board, and they are just over half way there with 11 serving members today. These include: Lonnie Miles with Miles McClellan, Dan Moncrief with McDaniel’s Construction, Dr. Gina Love-Walker, Senator Charleta Tavares, Orvell Johns, and Carter Womack with Who’s Who Publishing Company.

The Chamber’s kick-off event was held on November 15, 2012 with Maggie Anderson, author of “Our Black Year” giving the keynote address. Response has been overwhelming and people are joining the Chamber and they haven’t even finished their marketing material!

Helping Member Businesses Succeed

They plan on having a Franchising Forum to help provide their members with answers to what it takes financially to run their business and be successful. In addition, they want to start offering a Marketing Forum to assist with the promotion and business development efforts of members. Ray also envisions Technical and Networking Forums down the road as well, to further assist members with information they need to be successful and meet other Chamber members. To help with outreach and promotion each issue of the Columbus African American Journal will have four pages dedicated to the Columbus African American Chamber of Commerce highlighting Chamber members, spotlighting their events and marketing their business.

One of the biggest challenges over the past few years is that African American businesses have a harder time finding out about projects in the private sector. With the help of the Chamber, they will now be able to ask for help with this. Ray says, “I want to help put members in front of the right folks that can help their business succeed. If there are tax changes, regulatory issues or new minimum wage laws, the Chamber will help make it easier for members to find out sooner and help them to adhere to the changes.”

Partnerships are very important to the Chamber, and these partnerships will be used to help member businesses when they are first starting up, as well as dealing with the ongoing challenges of running a business. The Chamber currently helps with legal advice, accounting, business development and public policy, and financial advice based on the relationships they currently have with local area experts. Legal advice is available through John Waddy, accounting services through Jesse Hemphill of Hemphill & Associates, business development and public policy through Ray and Ed Hogan and they look forward to leveraging their relationship with Heartland Bank for access to personal and business banking advice, as well as guidance on other financial services that are relevant to today’s business owner.

When asked about the future of the Chamber, Ray says, “The goals for the Chamber are: development of a board to work on strategic community issues, to increase the number of new members and to help businesses with their operational and technical needs.” Ray’s son is a graphic artist and is working on a membership package, which will include a rewards club where members can get discounts from other members of the Chamber.

Eventually, Ray would like to take the local chapters of the African American Chamber of Commerce in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo, Dayton, Mansfield and now Columbus and combine them into an Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce. This would further help to pool Chamber resources from the various communities around the state for the betterment of the African American business community.

In addition to his role as President and Founder of the Columbus African American Chamber of Commerce, Ray is also the Publisher of the Columbus African American News Journal and the President of the Center for Urban Progress.

For more information please contact:

Columbus African American Chamber of Commerce
Ray Miller, President
750 East Long Street, Suite 3000
Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 340-4890
editor@columbusafricanamerican.com

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Victory Ministries Serves People From All Walks of Life Throughout Central Ohio

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Victory Ministries on Switzer Avenue in Columbus has a story to tell, starting in 1983 to help those in need. Serving people from all walks of life throughout central Ohio, they have no boundary lines and will not turn anyone away no matter where they are from.

Their services to the local communities include a food pantry, free clothing store, counseling services, tutoring and a free clinic. Victory participates in Literacy Now programs to aid public schools, and if someone needs a suit for a job interview, or a warm coat in the winter they can come to Victory Ministries for assistance.

They will be celebrating their 30 year anniversary this year and have their annual Match Day in May this year, which will be a part of Serve Fest 2013. They continue to expand, and with this growth they can reach out to more people in need. In fact, they are hopeful that very soon they will even have a new facility to consolidate all their efforts in one location.

In 2011, Victory Ministries was one of the recipients of the proceeds from the Heartland Bank Annual Charity Golf Classic, and most recently Heartland’s Stygler Road Office was a drop-off location for Toys for Joy over the holiday season. Lloyd Craycroft, Trustee and Executive Director of Victory Ministries stated, “We truly value our relationship with Heartland Bank and the support they have provided us over the years. Not only have they supported Victory financially through their Golf Classic, but helped create awareness for those in need by being a collection point for our holiday efforts. We appreciate all the donations from individuals and organizations that have come through their collection efforts, which include clothing, school supplies, food and monetary donations.”

Victory Ministries is operated by eight paid employees and has over 50 volunteers from a variety of groups and organizations from around the community. They are not affiliated with any single church or denomination, as volunteers from all denominations join together in the shared practice of giving to those in need. All of Victory Ministries’ proceeds come from donations from the public, and your grocery store member card points can even be used to benefit Victory Ministries.

To learn more about Victory Ministries, or to find out how you can help them continue their efforts in making a difference in other peoples' lives, we encourage you to visit their website at http://www.victoryministriescolumbus.org.

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Heartland BancCorp Achieves Top 100 Community Bank Status in 2012

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

If you’re not a shareholder or picked up a copy of Heartland BancCorp’s (the holding company for Heartland Bank) 2012 Annual Report, chances are you may be unaware just how “big” of a year the bank had last year. For this week’s Home Page Story, we are taking the opportunity to re-print G. Scott McComb's (Heartland’s Chairman, President and CEO) Letter to Shareholders, Customers and Friends. Enjoy...

The year 2012 will be remembered in the archives of Heartland Bank due to the wide ranging magnitude of continued success and personal loss. The bank performed well, despite an underperforming economy overall. Growth in loans and deposits were a challenge and credit quality overall continues to reflect the slow economic recovery. Upgrading our systems and facilities was again a focus for the management team to foster the best delivery of our products and services. The bank was recognized for its ongoing commitment to provide consumers and businesses with the right advice and counsel which has become a hallmark of our brand. With the loss of our founder, Tiney M. McComb, the bank and the Central Ohio Community lost one its greatest entrepreneurs and the Heartland Family lost a good friend.

Earnings for the year were strong, despite the subdued Ohio economy. Protecting the net interest margin in preparation for future rises in interest rates and a focus on credit quality resulted in slower loan growth than in past years. While opportunities were available for significant loan growth, our pricing strategies were focused on preserving the bank’s net interest margin and protecting our asset liability position. Controlled growth with quality opportunities remained the focal point of the loan portfolio with the consumer mortgage portfolio growing 13%.

A significant investment was made in our Licking County market with the construction of a new branch office at the corner of Locust and 4th Streets in Downtown Newark to replace the branch that had been “on the Courthouse Square” for over 18 years. The new location is highly visible in the gateway to Downtown Newark and features two drive-thru lanes, a drive-thru ATM, and the Georgian architecture that clients have come to know and recognize. Special thanks to Board member Jerry McClain, who, without his leadership, the project would not have been possible. We honored Jerry and the McClain Family for their continued dedication to the Downtown Newark community with the installation and dedication of a clock tower from the renowned Verdin Clock Company of Cincinnati.

Our Internet banking, mobile apps, ATM network and transaction security were also projects that were completed in 2012. Investing in these systems is paramount to building a strong base to acquire a new generation of banking clients. This will allow Heartland to bridge the distance between our strategically located offices with more self-service opportunities. Cyber security is a focus in the banking industry and we remain committed to staying ahead of the issues that plague online transactions and commerce through risk mitigation strategies.

Heartland was awarded the Ethical Enterprising Award for Character Ethics in Business from the Central Ohio Better Business Bureau. This prestigious award has only been given to one other financial institution in its history. For an institution to be given this award during these trying times speaks volumes about how Heartland stands behind its clients and continues to operate with integrity, while the industry at large has not. You should be proud of the quality and excellence that is demonstrated each day from our caring and well trained employees who continue to practice sound banking principles.

In April 2012, we lost our Founder and Chairman Tiney M. McComb to cancer. With the help of good friends and clients, Tiney organized Heartland BancCorp and purchased the Croton Bank Company in 1988. He built this institution on quality service, competitive products, community banking principles, and a work ethic to go the extra mile for clients and to become their partner as well as their bank. While Tiney is no longer with us, his Heartland Spirit lives on in our business practices, employees shared values, and community involvement. He built Central Ohio’s premiere community bank, one that is known throughout Ohio for its excellence and dedication to its clients, shareholders, and associates alike. Thanks to our associates, clients and shareholders for helping us with another great year.

G. Scott McComb
Chairman, President & CEO

Download Heartland BancCorp's 2012 Annual Report

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When Life Changes – Relationships Matter

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 02:13:00 GMT

When you talk to Hinda Mitchell about Heartland Bank, she has a story to tell. Building trust and relationships is what she does in her professional position with CMA, a communications firm, and what she looked for and has found with her bank. Hinda first came to Heartland for the location – convenience and access – and stayed because of the people and service. When she has a question or a concern, she can get it addressed by real people right there at her local bank. If she calls customer service, the people who answer the phone are here in Central Ohio, not far away.

As many of us travel down life’s highway, sometimes our life changes unexpectedly. The relationships you build along the way are the ones that are there when you need them to give you support and advice. When Hinda’s marriage ended, her financial situation needed an overhaul. She was able to stay in her home, which was really important to her, but needed to refinance. She met with Ben Babcanec, VP, Retail Sales Manager, and stated, “Ben was awesome in answering all my questions – even the ridiculous ones – and steering me through the process. We were able to do all of the meetings and all of the preparations right at my bank – that made things so much easier.”

Hinda decided to set up all her own banking and learn about online bill pay. This was the first time in 20 years that she was paying her own bills. She found the process simple, from setting up the accounts and arranging for auto-payments, to transferring money and checking her balance. Her kids also have accounts at Heartland, and she can see online what is happening with their accounts, as well. Her daughter feels comfortable going to the bank because they recognize her when she comes to deposit her paycheck.

“It really matters to me that Heartland is involved in the Gahanna community where we live. I see bank employees at the gym, at the store, and in my own neighborhood. Our church youth group has helped put up Christmas lights at the bank in exchange for contributions to their mission work.”

Hinda is Vice President of CMA and manages the Columbus, Ohio office. CMA is a communications consulting firm headquartered in Kansas City. The firm focuses primarily on work within today’s food system – providing counsel to farms, food companies, restaurants, retailers, trade associations, and state and national commodity organizations. CMA will celebrate the third anniversary of their Ohio office in March and are very proud to have established such a good base in Ohio.

CMA focuses on helping their clients build trust with their stakeholders. That starts with establishing honest relationships and sharing similar values. Heartland Bank does that for Hinda. Talking about her relationship, Hinda stated, “I was confident enough in Heartland’s ability to deliver on what they promised that I referred them to one of my clients for their commercial business. That’s something I’m always hesitant to do, but in this case I was confident in my recommendation. I think it’s become a successful relationship for the business and the bank.”

To Hinda, “Heartland feels like the banks I grew up with and visited with my parents except they haven’t given me a toaster yet. But it’s not old-fashioned, except in its values. All the technologies I need; online banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and more are available to me.”

Heartland has been helping many clients like Hinda over the years. One of the advantages of a community bank is that we are able to get to know our clients and understand their unique financial situations. Heartland has been doing community banking for over 100 years and plans to be here for the next 100 years to serve future generations. If you're not yet banking at Heartland Bank, stop by our Online Account Center and you can get an account started today!

Do You LUV Your Community Bank? We Want To Know...

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Heartland Bank is excited to be partnering with the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) in their annual "I Luv My Community Bank" campaign. This national marketing campaign is designed to help celebrate the amazing satisfaction that customers have with their community bank, and we want to encourage YOU to participate (and you can win one of five $500 gift cards by sharing your thoughts)!

This is the third year the ICBA has run the "I Luv My Community Bank" campaign and has received thousands of testimonials highlighting the positive impact community bankers have on their communities. You can read some of the Customer Success Stories that have been featured on our blog and see for yourself all the great ways that we've been able to play a part in our customers' lives.

The campaign runs through April 12th and testimonial submissions from consumers are eligible for prizes, with the top five winners (chosen by Facebook votes) announced May 1st and each receiving a $500 gift card, courtesy of the ICBA. So if you've got a great story to tell, now's the time to do it and let the rest of the world know that you "Luv" your community bank Stop by www.ILuvMyCommunityBank.com or visit the ICBA Facebook page and share your story today. You might just be the $500 winner!

About the ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America®, the nation’s voice for nearly 7,000 community banks of all sizes and charter types, is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and its membership through effective advocacy, best-in-class education and high-quality products and services. For more information, visit www.icba.org.

Over 30 Power Breakfast Guests Get Firsthand Overview of Columbus Commercial Real Estate Market

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:02:00 GMT

On March 20th, as part of Heartland Bank’s Power Breakfast Series, Greg Schenk, SIOR CNE President The Schenk Company, Inc. presented an overview of the Commercial Real Estate Market in Columbus covering each product type: Office, Industrial, Retail, and Apartment.

His presentation included the February 2013 Commercial Research Report, the Commercial Forecast: 2013.Q1 on the Vacancy Rate, Net Absorption, Completions, Inventory and Rent Growth in Office, Industrial, Retail and Multi Family in the Columbus Market vs. the rest of the country. He reviewed the 2012.Q4 Columbus Market Trends including market highlights, a snapshot of both market and historical vacancy and absorption, lease rates and the latest changes in occupancy.

He ended his presentation touching on what to take under consideration during lease negotiations, the mistakes that are commonly made during negotiations. This information gives business the opportunity to reassess their lease and renegotiate to renew or restructure at record low rates.

Greg has twenty six years experience in the business ranging from representing tenants and buyers in locating and negotiating office space renewals and relocations, medical space and investment projects as well as 1031 exchanges, lease buy outs and terminations options. He has achieved the highly sought after SIOR (Society of Office & Industrial Realtors) designation as one of the leading brokers in the country, and has attained the CNE (Certified Negotiation Expert) designation.

Greg speaks, teaches and trains nationally both to professionals like attorneys, accountants and bankers on how to prosper in this commercial real estate market as well as real estate brokers wanting to become experts in various areas of commercial real estate. Most importantly, Greg is an integral member of the Central Ohio Community assisting various charities for people in pain and in need. He has established a memorial fund at Nationwide Children's Hospital and is part of the annual television telethon. Greg mentors students from OSU and speaks to student athletes at the Younkin Success Center. He, also, teaches for Younkin and OSU Fisher College of Real Estate. For more information, you can visit Irepthetenant.com and Schenkseminars.com.

Check out some of the materials from the Power Breakfast session:

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About Heartland's Power Breakfast Series

Power Breakfasts are held bi-monthly at the Corporate Office in Gahanna, Ohio. The purpose of these informative meetings is to have an open dialog with a guest speaker and guests to discuss topics of importance to Small Business owners and their partners. If you are interested in attending or being the guest speaker, please contact us. And, if you’re a small business owner and looking for a bank to be your “partner in success” be sure to check out all of our helpful business banking services. We’d be honored to help!

Free Expert Financial Advice for Attendees of Heartland Bank's Money Matters Summit

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:15:00 GMT

Heartland Bank and 104.9 The River teamed up once again to present the 6th Annual Money Matters Summit held at the First Baptist Church of Grove City on March 9th. Attendees registered for three of the ten seminars offered and chose from topics including - The Fundamentals of Investing, Savings for College Yet, It's Never Too Soon To Start and Budgeting & Living Within Your Means.

"We are proud to offer this financial resource again this year to Central Ohioans. In today's economic environment, it's important to have a trusted resource that can give your honest answers to your questions. As a community bank, this is our standing commitment and responsibility to the communities in which we serve," stated G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President & CEO of Heartland Bank.

Following the seminars, McComb was joined by Jerry Revish, 10 TV News Anchor and Mary O'Brien and Josh Hooper from 104.9 The River's Morning Show Team for a wrap-up session, before enjoying a complimentary lunch provided by Chick-Fil-A. The wrap-up provided a Q & A for attendees.

Did You Miss This Year's Event?

If you are interested in getting information from this year's event, but were unable to attend, please visit our Contact Us page to get in touch. Just be sure to indicate in the Comments that you're interested in getting information about the Money Matters Summit and we'll be sure to be in touch!

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This St. Patrick’s Day Go Green With Heartland Bank

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:56:00 GMT

This weekend when you “see all that green” during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, we hope that you’ll keep Heartland Bank in mind. Sure, you’ll likely be seeing shamrocks, four-leaf clovers and most everyone will have some sort of green clothing on (for fear of being “pinched” otherwise). But if you think about it, banking always has had a “green theme” as clients trust us with their money.

Maybe you’re looking for ways to save for a rainy day with a high-yield money market or savings account, invest for your future or maybe refinance your mortgage to lower your monthly payment. Whatever the case, we’ve got several ways to help put “more green in your pocket”. But another “green” that you may not think of is ways that we can help you be more environmentally friendly by enrolling in many of our electronic services. By using e-banking solutions you help save paper, which is good for the environment, and also creates additional convenience.

Here are just a few of the “going green” solutions you may want to consider:

eStatements – Save the paper and get your statements electronically every month with eStatements. It's convenient and even safer than having them sent via the mail.

Visa Check Card and Credit Cards – Leave your checkbook (and paper checks) at home and let your Heartland Bank Visa Check Card or credit card do the work next time you head out to shop.

Online Banking and Remote Deposit – Businesses can save gas and travel time by banking online, scanning your checks for deposit and electronically transferring them directly to your account

Direct Deposit – If you’re not getting your paycheck directly deposited into your account yet, you’re missing out on a more convenient way to get paid (plus, you can cut out the check and that’s one more piece of paper that can be eliminated).

Enjoy the weekend and St. Patrick’s Day and go green… for the holiday and with Heartland Bank!

Providing Support and and Banking Excellence for a Third Generation Business Owner

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 06:18:00 GMT

It all began back in 1950 when Charlie Lovejoy’s Grandfather started the business in a little house in downtown Plain City. A fire caused them to move to where the TruValue Hardware is now, but in 2001 Lovejoy’s Market relocated to its newly constructed building at 900 Village Boulevard and has been going strong ever since.

Paul “Charlie” Lovejoy is the third generation of grocery store owners in his family and has owned and operated the store since its relocation in 2001. Lovejoy’s is a full-service grocery store to the residents of this rural town located Northwest of Columbus.

Charlie stated, “One of the biggest challenges over the past few years has been dealing with the economy. The help from the SBA (Small Business Administration) and Heartland Bank’s debt refinance helped to shrink down my debt so we could survive long term-making my son’s future a brighter one as a possible fourth generation to run the store.”

Lovejoy’s Market houses the store as well as five tenant spaces. In addition to normal grocery inventory, the store provides fax/copy services, money orders and check cashing, digital photo processing, postage stamps and also sells beer and wine. They have a large fresh meat and produce section and a bakery, where customers can create gift baskets for special occasions.

When looking toward the future and technology, Charlie says, “Technology has helped us to accept credit cards, be PCI compliant and we can now look up orders on computers instead of email or fax. We are working to increase cash flow and be able to remodel our store updating departments including a fresh deli.

Heartland Bank partnered with Ohio Statewide Development and completed a debt refinance utilizing both Heartland Bank's business lending experts and the OSDC 504 Loan Program. This new financing structure enhanced the financial position of the company and supports Lovejoy’s commitment to continue to provide quality grocery goods and services to its loyal customers for generations to come. “Heartland Bank is a strong supporter of the SBA 504 and 7a loan programs to assist small business in Central Ohio,” stated Steve Hines, Heartland Bank’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

In January 2013, Ohio Statewide Development Corporation selected Lovejoy's Market LLC as their 2012 SBA 504 Project of the Year. The award was granted to Lovejoy's Market LLC and Heartland Bank lender Laurie Pfeiffer in an annual awards ceremony held on January 29, 2013 at The Ohio State University Student Union.

Lovejoy's Market
900 Village Blvd
Plain City OH 43064
Phone: 614-873-4345
www.LovejoysMarket.com

The OSDC can be found at www.osdc.net

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Taking Care of Customers Key to Success at Taylor Road Storage

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 21:26:00 GMT

It all started in 2010, when Richard and Beth Long purchased an abandoned shell of a building on Taylor Road in Reynoldsburg owned by Heartland Bank. It was three small mini storage buildings that housed 30 storage units without storm water, bathrooms or a well.

Today, Richard and Beth Long have renovated the property into a 10-acre, 432 unit storage facility, taking care of both residential and commercial customers. Commercial users include: Retail Stores, Construction Contractors, and Landscapers, while residential customers use their service to store pretty much anything that won’t fit “around the house”. The Longs feel they are in a good demographic area with both white collar and blue collar clientele.

Helping to ensure great service (and peace of mind), there is a manager that lives onsite to provide additional security and the ability to rent storage units 24/7. When a customer puts their trust in a storage company, Taylor Road Storage insures a safe and secure environment for any possessions, big or small. There is a solid steel security gate access only with a personalized secure code, 24-hour video surveillance, security lighting and a fenced in facility with barb wire.

The Longs are installing climate control features into many of the units as well to expand their storage capabilities and expect to be completed with the renovations by the end of the month. Final phase of all development will be completed within the next year and they have a new Site-Link program which has helped them to streamline all of their paperwork.

You’d think being so successful at their business that storage was “in their blood”, but getting to know the storage business has been a challenge for the Longs. They run two other companies in addition to Taylor Road Storage; R.A. Long Properties, LLC and R.A. Long Painting. They were pleasantly surprised when they found out in the storage business that when the customers come to them, they store their belongings and stick around for the long-haul.

Richard and his wife own the entire building that Taylor Road Storage resides in. The building also houses a HVAC company, a software company and RA Long Painting. When asked why they chose to partner with Heartland Bank for their banking needs, they say it’s because of their relationship they’ve been able to form over the years. In addition to Heartland Bank funding their project, the Longs say “Heartland Bank have been true partners in construction and the day to day operations. They helped us with the infrastructure to add water and sewer and to build all the additional buildings. They’ve also helped with our Merchant Services, from the credit card machines to the check scanner we will soon be getting to make banking with them even easier. Heartland had confidence in us that we would fill the units as we built them, and that has meant the world to us.”

Richard and Beth believe their future is bright and the storage industry remains healthy. They believe Taylor Road Storage will be a viable business for a long time to come and look forward to continuing their partnership with Heartland for years to come. They’ve gone from producing very little income when they first started to now having a waiting list. The Long's haven't been able to build the units fast enough to keep up with demand and they say, “we are right where we want to be.”

If your business is in need of a parter like Heartland Bank, contact us today let's chat. We'd be happy to put our experience to work for you just like we did for the Longs (and lots of other customers in the Central Ohio area)!

Visit Taylor Storage online at: www.TaylorRoadStorage.com

7821 Taylor Rd S.W.
Reynoldsburg, Oh 43068

Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm
Sunday Call (614) 864-1325

Storage Options...

BOATS / RV'S / TRAILERS
110 Amp Electrical Option
Secure Clean Environment
Mini Storage Units Starting @ 10 x 10
Large Indoor Storage Units (up to 28 x 44)
Large Overhead Doors (12 x 14)
Interior Heights Up To 16'
Month To Month Lease Available
No Security Deposit Option

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New Heartland Bank Baseball Field is a "Hit" with GLHS and the Gahanna Community

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Thanks to school and community partnerships, the Gahanna Lincoln High School baseball team is hitting a home run with renovated facilities.

Heartland Bank president and CEO Scott McComb recently announced a partnership with Phil Griesinger and the launching of the new Heartland Bank Field -- Home of the Gahanna Lions -- in the spring.

Griesinger, parent of two Lincoln graduates and president of Columbus-based Graffiti Foods, had a vision for making a dream come true to rebuild the baseball diamond for the high school teams.

"Head coach Mike Shade has had a dream for years to rebuild the baseball field and didn't think that dream would ever come true," Griesinger said. "Everyone said it wouldn't get done. I said I would get it done. He (Shade) has made sure we got everything we needed to make it happen."

Athletics director Justin Sanford said athletics facility renovations have been in progress since 2007, including the football stadium and tennis courts.

"The baseball irrigation system started in 2007," he said. "Bill Tomko, a parent of a player who graduated, and Phil were involved with that."

When Sanford arrived in the district 10 years ago, he said, the facilities were behind.

"Any improvement that needed to be made to get us up to par was going to have to be done privately," he said.

Almost $2 million in facility improvements needed to be made, and about $1.5 million has been completed.

"The first phase was getting the field up to par," Sanford said. "The last piece is the press box. That"s where Phil (pictured above) and Heartland have been influential. It's remarkable for our community, parents and businesses that helped us make these improvements since 2007."

Sanford said the press box, bleachers and scoreboard amount to about $ 90,000 in facility improvements.

Griesinger said a five-year commitment is required for the loan to finance those amenities. He met with McComb and shared his vision for the baseball diamond and the need to finance the project.

Griesinger said McComb was true to his word about Heartland Bank wanting to be an active part of the community, as Heartland was able to put together a plan for the financing.

The project was financed by Heartland Bank and was carried out by business owners with children currently or formerly attending Lincoln.

Part of the agreement was the name of the field for the life of the loan.

The Heartland Bank Field is behind Blacklick Elementary School on Havens Corners Road. The building will include an announcer booth, two private press boxes (with new lights and a sign on top) and the coaches booth, with plenty of storage and seating.

Griesinger said he wanted to wait for his kids to graduate so it would be clear that this was not just in support of his own children but for all of the kids at the school and for the community as a whole.

Griesinger's son, Cole, played center field for the Lions and graduated in 2012.

"I'm doing this to make a difference in the community," he said.

He said he hopes others would follow his lead and step up to the plate to help the program.

A "Field of Fame," a miniature baseball field made of bricks, is available to the public for sponsorship.

Anyone may buy a brick for $50 to commemorate a former player. They may be purchased by going online to gahannalincolnathletics.com or by calling the athletics office.

"For all the kids who used to play, we'd like to have their names, class and positions on a brick," Griesinger said. "We'll position the bricks as to the position they played."

The Field of Fame will be in front of the press box.

"It's like a field of dreams," Griesinger said. "It's dynamic. Anyone can be part of it -- the fans, parents, anyone. I hope people will get involved."

Griesinger said baseball attracts high-income families who pay higher taxes.

"We did the press box so we can be sustainable," he said. "It will help bring in tournaments, and that brings income to hotels. We can't do that without a press box and a stadium. We want it to be a landmark for Gahanna. It's something special."

Sanford said the renovation should open the door to Gahanna playing host to postseason games, tournaments and other events.

"The press box was the last missing piece," he said. "Now that this is taking shape, we can submit to the (OHSAA's) Central (District) Athletic Board that we have a top facility in central Ohio. We can attract those games. That has been the intent and goal, bringing more recognition to Gahanna Lincoln and the city. It's finally come to fruition."

~Article reproduced with permission from ThisWeek Community News. View the original article authored by Marla Kuhlman here. You can also read our press release for even more information.

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Announcing Heartland Bank's 6th Annual Money Matters Free Financial Summit

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Continuing the tradition being our clients’ “financial partner,” Heartland Bank is proud to announce our 6th Annual Money Matters Free Financial Summit. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the First Baptist Church of Grove City. Teaming up with the bank again this year is 104.9 The River to help provide attendees with a variety of seminars on how to better manage their finances and plan for the future.

Starting at 8:30 am, attendees register for three seminars throughout the morning and choose from the following topics:

Is Now The Right Time To Buy A Home?
Is Refinancing Right For Me?
Budgeting And Living Within Your Means
How To Manage Your Credit Card Debt
The Fundamentals Of Investing
Saving For College Yet? It's Never Too Soon To Start
A Healthy Financial Check-Up
When Life Happens, Do You Have The Right Insurance Coverage?
So You Think You're Smarter Than A Banker?
Understand Your Credit Report And Score And How To Improve It

Following the seminars, Heartland Bank’s Chairman, President and CEO G. Scott McComb will be joined by Jerry Revish, 10 TV News Anchor and Mary and Josh from 104.9 The River ‘s Morning Show Team for a wrap up session, before enjoying a complimentary lunch provided by Chick-Fil-A.

In today’s financial environment, it’s important to have a trusted resource that can give you honest answers to your questions. As Central Ohio’s Community Bank Since 1911, we’ve been there for our clients for over a hundred years. To ensure you’re part of this year’s Summit, be sure to reserve your spot today. We look forward to having you join us on March 9th.

We Love Our Clients (And Our Clients Love Mobile Banking)

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Since today is Valentine’s Day, many are taking time to reflect on the things that matter most to them. With all the heart-shaped cards, long-stemmed roses and chocolate candies being exchanged today, it’s no secret that “love is in the air” more so today than any other day of the year.

As many of us “go digital” in the age of social networking and our always-connected lifestyles, chances are you may also be sending your Valentine an electronic smooch, possibly mentioning them in a Facebook post, a Tweet (#bemyvalentine) or maybe even sending that special someone a text (or two) today as an outward sign of your love and affection.

Well if you’ve got a mobile phone and using it today to send your sweetheart an “I LUV U” message, don’t forget that you can also use that handy little device to do your banking with one of Heartland’s Mobile Banking Apps. We’ve got Apps for the iPhone, iPad and Android users. Heck, even Blackberry users can use our Mobile Browser feature or SMS Text Banking to get access to account information, transfer funds and keep in touch with their money.

If you’ve not tried Heartland Bank’s Mobile Banking options, what are you waiting for? Just visit our Mobile Banking page and find out how to download the App of your choice. You’ll also find some handy videos (like the one above) to show you just how easy it is to use your phone to bank with us.

After you’ve given Mobile Banking a try we think you’ll be texting “I LUV MY BANK” once you see for yourself just how easy and convenient it is. The good news is that we “LUV U2”!

Power Breakfast Events Share Helpful Information - Let's Talk About iPads

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Heartland Bank’s Power Breakfast events were created with the purpose of bringing expert speakers to present on topics that would benefit our customers and guests in a variety of areas. We’ve covered topics like how technology is changing the way we do business, how to leverage LinkedIn to business network in the “social age,” tips on avoiding costly mistakes when purchasing insurance, managing healthcare costs for today's business owner and even ways state and local taxes are impacting local business. Held bi-monthly, these events are hosted at our Corporate Office in Gahanna at 850 North Hamilton Road.

As we get ready to host yet another Power Breakfast next month on the 20th of March, we want to take a moment to recap one of our recent events held last November. With the growing popularity of mobile devices, especially tablets, we brought in an expert to walk attendees through the best ways to get the most out of their Apple iPad. Originally released in April 2010, the iPad sold 300,000 units on the first day, and reached 3 million units sold on only 80 days! Today, it’s gone through several different “generations”, received a sleeker, more streamline look and display technology has made reading, viewing movies and even playing games an amazing experience.

Heartland’s Executive Vice President and COO, Steve Hines, kicked off the meeting and welcomed the guests. He introduced the morning’s speaker, Steve Stinchcomb who is a former product manager for a major wireless provider with more than 15 years in the telecom industry. He has been successful in sales, sales management, product training and developing marketing teams. Stinchomb has developed and delivered tablet-training programs for wireless retailers and has represented products from Apple, Blackberry and AT&T in multiple radio and TV appearances. Steven’s love of emerging technology is a large part of his life and he is often the self-proclaimed early adopter when a new technology hits the market.

While Stinchcomb shared a ton of great information on how to get the most out of your iPad device, the following are some of the main points made during his presentation:

Tricks for enhanced productivity, including syncing information with iTunes, Apple’s media management program for music, podcasts, images and more
Ways to tweak your iPad performance, including basic usage like creating folders and performing “Spotlight” searches to find what you’re looking for more quickly
How to have FUN on your device, exploring all the different media and apps you can use on the iPad that can help you enjoy a little “down time” on your device

At the close of his presentation, Stinchcomb talked about tips for keeping an iPad secure. With these tablet devices containing more and more personal information (like your Contact list, events from your Calendar), keeping your information safe in the event that it’s ever lost or stolen is an important way to protect yourself and reduce the risk of identity theft.

We’ve Got an App for That!

Also, you’ll be happy to know that Heartland Bank has “kept up with the times” and if you’re an iPad (or even iPhone or Android) user, we’ve got an “app for that”! Be sure to check out our Mobile Banking page to download the Heartland Bank Mobile Banking App and make banking a breeze!

About Heartland's Power Breakfast Series

Power Breakfasts are held bi-monthly at the Corporate Office in Gahanna, Ohio. The purpose of these informative meetings is to have an open dialog with a guest speaker and guests to discuss topics of importance to Small Business owners and their partners. If you are interested in attending or being the guest speaker, please contact us. And, if you’re a small business owner and looking for a bank to be your “partner in success” be sure to check out all of our helpful business banking services. We’d be honored to help!

Join Us Next Time

Our next Power Breakfast will be on Wednesday, March 20th and will feature Greg Schenk, president of The Schenk Company, Inc., presenting an overview on the 2013 Columbus commercial real estate market. Register today to reserve your spot and we look forward to seeing you there!

iPad Power Breakfast Photos

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Passion, Hard Work and a Commitment to Their Clients' Fitness Makes B.O.S.S. Fitness Studio a Success

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

James Gullatte, Master Fitness Trainer and founder of B.O.S.S. Fitness Studio, came to Columbus in 2004 bringing his own unique training style to Central Ohio. He had one goal: to spread fitness to as many as possible. It was a journey that started at the “ground floor”, taking a job as a janitor at a local gym with not much more than the clothes on his back and 95 dollars in his pocket to get his foot in the door. But for five years he read, studied, went to school and planned-- building a foundation that would one day support a blooming business at the top of Central Ohio's fitness industry. While a janitor, he started giving tips and pointers - essentially training for free and people started noticing.

The plan was in motion and James was enjoying the journey. Soon, he got his opportunity to train “officially” at a new gym. The owner had just opened up and couldn't afford to pay him as an employee, but James worked as an independent contractor to keep his dream alive. He paid the owner to use his facility to train clients, and eventually one client became 15 and more were interested in taking advantage of his training expertise.

As his client list grew, his income tripled, and 15 months after stepping off that bus, James Gullatte's plan was pushing ahead at rapid pace. One of James' clients encouraged him to head out on his own, and the timing seemed right. It had been suggested before, but this time James was ready and founded B.O.S.S. Fitness Studio.

Some of the partnerships James has had with other businesses have taught him about business do’s and don’ts, and at the end of the day, “it’s just business.” Others were a lifeline - he has stayed open because of partnerships - like the one he has with Heartland Bank. Scott McComb, President and CEO of Heartland Bank, met up with him to discuss the possibility of helping him finance his new space on Livingston Avenue. James said, “afterwards, he shook my hand, looked me in the eye and said, ‘I believe in you’.” The rest is history.

When James talks about the changes over the past few years, he has focused on client retention and knowing his actual target market and the fitness industry. Technology has also changed the way they do business. They will be getting a new system that will allow them to go paperless, enable customers to sign up for classes and training online and even pay their membership fees online. Currently clients can send B.O.S.S. an e-mail to schedule an appointment (or just walk-in), but with the coming improvements it will be even easier to make time for fitness.

Looking toward the future, James has the ultimate goal of becoming a millionaire (and don’t we all)! He's certainly got a passion for what he does and in five years he wants to be debt free.

Mark Your Calendars!

B.O.S.S. Fitness Studio is excited to announce the 3rd Biggest Loser B.O.S.S Style contest coming up February 23rd. There will be $1,500 in prizes available to participants who (among other things) will have to lose 7% of your body fat. It entices people to not only lose weight but to also get in shape. Be sure to visit their website or stop by for more information and to sign up today!

www.boss-fitness.com
333 E. Livingston Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 224-2677 - Studio
(614) 738-1734 - Mobile

P.S. If you're looking to get "Fiscally Fit" this year, be sure to check out our article on ways to get your finances in shape for 2013!

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Providing Our Customers with the Best of Both Worlds

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

With over 100 years of community banking under our belts, we’re pretty sure customers appreciate the hometown service, friendly staff and our ability to get to know our customers’ names. We take pride in getting to know each of the communities we serve and promise to welcome you with a smile (and maybe even a hot cup of coffee on a cold, winter’s day).

But over the years, we all seem to have gotten a little busier and never seem to have enough time to get everything done. Dual-income families with both parents working, kid’s activities and the growing demands of “life in general” have made free time a precious commodity.

Technology, whether we like it or not, has crept into our lives and made us more connected with e-mail, text messages and the constant stream of social media. But while on the surface technology seems like it’s taking up even more of our time, the good news is that you can put it to work for you (and your banking needs) with Heartland Bank.

Today you can download mobile banking apps through iTunes (for your iPhone or iPad) and the Android Play Market to make checking your balances and keeping up on your banking a breeze from the palm of your hand. Add to that the convenience of our Online Account Center where you can apply for a loan, open a deposit account and even get a Heartland Bank MasterCard all from the web. You can even get your monthly statements delivered electronically, which not only is quick and easy, but it saves paper and mailing, making it environmentally friendly too. Before you know it, you’re using technology to get more out of your day!

If you’re a business owner, you can make deposits to your bank account right from your office with Remote Deposit Capture and save time (and gas) having to leave the office to deposit your checks. Plus, Online Cash Management allows you to pay your employees electronically, saving the cost (and time) of having to write traditional checks.

But with all this technology the best part is if you ever have a question or “just need to talk” we’re never more than a phone call – or visit – away. While we’ve got all the technology tools to make banking a breeze, we’ve not lost sight of what got us where we are today… personal service. It’s been at the core of what we do for over 100 years and no mater what gadget or gizmo comes along next to change how we bank in the future, one thing will remain the same. We’ll be right here for you if (or when) you need us. We think you’ll agree, that’s the “best of both worlds”.

Make the Switch...

If your bank is not giving you the Best of Both Worlds maybe it's time for a change. Visit our Online Account Center to open your account now and join the Heartland family today!

They Were Looking For a Community Bank With a Personal Touch

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

In 1989, owners Tom and Mary DeVries opened their FASTSIGNS sign and graphics center. The location opened with just 1,200 square feet in the Westerville Plaza. Over the years, the location has doubled in size, eventually getting to the point where the center was simply out of space. Tom and Mary made the decision to build a whole new facility. Westerville FASTSIGNS now occupies 6,000 square feet of a 10,000-square-foot building in the Brooksedge office park.

The DeVries were looking for a new community bank that provided the "personal touch". They love how everyone at Heartland knows their names!

The DeVries are constantly aware of what innovative technologies are coming into play in the sign and graphics industry - all of which are being created to meet the growing demands of the sign-buying public. “Technology is constantly changing and we always seem to be looking to buy new equipment,” says Mary. “Deciding when and what to buy is a challenge, but it increases our capabilities and the quality of our products has improved.”

Every year brings new advances in technology, introducing a variety of printers and sign-making equipment that produce projects faster, more accurately and affordably. The original concept for FASTSIGNS was to utilize computer technology to provide an alternative to hand painted and screen printed signs and graphics. “When we started in the business 24 years ago, all we did was cut vinyl and apply it to different substrates,” says Tom. “Today, 90% of what we do is printed full color graphics. Technology continues to drive our business with flatbed printers and high speed cutters allowing us to fulfill very large orders in a relatively short amount of time.”

Heartland “Lends” a Hand

Mary and Tom really appreciate Heartland Bank for all their help. They were able to finance their new printer at a great rate and refinance their building at a lower rate then what they were currently had. They were looking for a new community bank that provided the "personal touch". They love how everyone at Heartland knows their names!

Involvement in the local business community has played an important role in how the DeVries run their business. “It has been amazing to see the wide variety of customers we've acquired over the last 24 years at our Westerville center,” says Mary. They are involved in supporting a variety of local charities and causes and believe that it’s vitally important to give back to the community that has supported them and their growth.

The DeVries sum up their experience of small-business ownership by saying, “We couldn’t have chosen a better business if we could have foreseen the future 24 years ago. We want to make sign buying simple for our clients. Our cutting-edge technology ensures consistent quality for every sign project, from start to finish. We can’t wait to see what the future holds, and know the next 24 years will be just as exciting!”

The products produced by FASTSIGNS centers have increased dramatically over the years. As the center’s customer base grew, the demand for products increased. FASTSIGNS has proven to be a good outlet for products other than simple signs. Today they sell tradeshow booths, dimensional letters and logos, screen-printing, large format digital printing, custom ADA signs, building suite signs and directories, traffic signs and much more. FASTSIGNS has become a virtual one-stop shop for almost any sign and graphic product.

For more information, the Westerville FASTSIGNS® center, located at 654A Brooksedge Blvd., can be reached at 614-890-3821 or www.fastsigns.com/44.

www.fastsigns.com/44
654A Brooksedge Blvd
Westerville, OH 43081
P: (614) 890-3821
F: (614) 890-3858
44@fastsigns.com

Center Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:00am-5:30pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed

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A Bank Too Busy to Help a Small Business Get Started? Not Heartland Bank!

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

When Gary Shyu wanted to fulfill his dream of owning his own restaurant and purchase a building in Grove City the first bank he called said they were “too busy” to talk to him. Fortunately for Shyu, his next call was to Heartland Bank. After talking with G. Scott McComb, the bank’s President and CEO, the two met the following morning and one month later the purchase was complete and China Bell Restaurant and Event Center was born.

Built in 1968, the building needed several improvements and over the years Shyu has made several updates, remodeling the restrooms, conference rooms, the bar, the roof and lobby/entrance area. Most recently they added a new carry out window, which was the direct result of a call he got from a customer (from their parking lot) one rainy day. Due to the rain, the customer was unable to get out and use his power chair to come into the restaurant to pick up their carry out order. Of course Shyu happily took the order out to the customer, but realized that a carry out window would add another convenience customers would appreciate.

Being willing to “go out in the rain” for a customer and understanding the restaurant business is nothing new to Shyu, as his family owned a restaurant in his native Taiwan. He also paid his way through Ohio State University by working for a major Chinese restaurant in Columbus. Now, twenty four years after opening China Bell, about 90 percent of his customers are local residents from Grove City, a community he and his family have lived since the early 1990s – thanks in large part to the service they provide.

“The Grove City community has been very good to me,” says Shyu “and we appreciate all the support that has led to our success.” To further support his customers (and community), China Bell is a frequent meeting place for service clubs like Grove City Lions, Sertoma, Hilltop Shriners and even the local Kiwanis club has their annual meetings there.

More Than Just a Restaurant

While the restaurant certainly was the main focus at the beginning, they now also have a Conference and Banquet center where they can host large events like birthday parties, family celebrations and its one of the only places in the Columbus area that can host an East Asian wedding. You’ll also find the Hole in 1 Lounge (formerly known as the Post Time Lounge), providing the community with a nice, quiet place to gather for a drink and conversation often featuring live jazz music from local musicians.

One of the more unique offerings you’ll find at China Bell is their monthly cooking classes in their Cooking Studio. The Grove City Parks and Recreation department holds classes there quarterly, donating the money raised to local senior centers. Even technology has made an impact on the restaurant, and through their YouTube channel they have several “how-to” videos showing how to create many of the unique decorations that you’ll find at the restaurant. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a carrot into a bird, a ribbon of flowers or even a tulip, hop on over to YouTube and you can see for your self just how these unique items come to life.

When asked what the future holds for China Bell, Shyu’s goal is to be “the destination to eat” for those that live in the Grove City area. “When China Bell’s name is mentioned, we want people to immediately associate us with great food and exceptional service,” says Shyu. “Our business is really about the people – both our customers and the quality staff we have to ensure a great dining experience.”

China Bell
Restaurant and Event Center
Gary Shyu
(614) 871-2420
1947 Stringtown Road
Grove City, OH 43123
www.chinabell.net

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Heartland Bank Recognized by NAACP for Back to School, Stay in School Support

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Heartland Bank was recently honored by the NAACP for their involvement in the Back to School, Stay in School Program. Heartland’s series of financial literacy workshops in schools and communities centers for families participating in the Back to School, Stay in School Program help to reinforce the values of this great program, and was one of the reasons for the bank being selected for this award.

Presenting the award to the Heartland’s President & CEO, G. Scott McComb are Noel Williams, President and Tashia McMullin, CFO of the Columbus Ohio Branch of the NAACP.

The NAACP’s Back to School, Stay in School program is all about preparing, inspiring and instructing youth of all ages with the tools necessary to graduate high school. This national program was founded in 1984, and is composed of more than 30 sites located at churches, schools and community centers across the nation.

Starting in elementary school, the program offers support through graduation and aims to enhance student success by reducing the absenteeism and dropout rate, providing a higher level of academic and cultural enrichment. It also seeks to increase parental involvement and improve overall perceptions about public schools.

To learn more about the Columbus area NAACP and local Back to School, Stay in School programs, please visit them online at http://www.columbusnaacp.org.

Your New Year's Resolution - Get Fiscally Fit in 2013

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

According to a recent story from the Today Show, losing weight was the #1 resolution made in 2013. This probably does not come as a surprise, since it seems like the topic of fitness and getting in shape always ranks at the top of the list of New Year’s Resolutions. It’s an admirable goal, and getting more fit has many great benefits to your health.

How "Fit" Are Your Finances?

But, what if we put a “banking” spin on this popular goal and suggest you focus on your “fiscal fitness” in 2013. Could your accounts use a little more “working out” in the new year?

Yes, we said fiscal fitness, and by that we mean getting your finances in tip-top shape. As your community banking partner, we’re very interested in ways that we can help our customers live a better life and have some great tools that you can use to help with your finances.

Maybe you’ve been thinking about paying down your credit card (or cards), or want to put some extra money away in that college fund for the kids. Maybe you just want to feel better about your retirement plan or possibly getting a better understanding of your insurance coverage. Whatever your financial goals may be, having a plan to help you understand what's necessary is a key component to ensuring that you'll be successful. Good thing Heartland Bank has a tool that can help play an important role in your “fiscal fitness training” efforts... our Fiscal Fitness Training Guide.

We’ve made both the PDF and Excel versions of the tool available for you to download and get started. As you will see, the Fiscal Fitness Training Guide gives you an easy way to start putting together a plan for 2013. First, you will identify your goals, and then evaluate your individual situation. You’ll also indicate if there were any changes (like a job change or maybe you got married) that recently took place (or maybe coming along in the new year). These are important to note, as they have an influence on your financial “training program”.

Then, you’ll want look at how your assets are protected (insurance coverage) and take into consideration how your loved ones will be taken care of if something happens to you. We all like to think we’ll live forever, but it’s best to be prepared “just in case”. Our guide even gets you thinking about your investments and retirement plan (and yes, we’ve got professionals that can help with your investment and insurance needs – think of them as your “personal trainers” in your fiscal fitness journey). All of these are very important components to having a healthy financial plan in place and getting “fit” in 2013.

The experts at Heartland Bank are ready to help put together a training plan for the new year and get you fiscally fit. When you've got your Fiscal Fitness Training Guide completed, simply give us a call at (800) 697-0049 or Contact Us and set a time to come in and review it together. We'll be here to help you with any questions you may have and help to ensure that you stay on track. We promise, we won’t make you do any push-ups but if you want to run to the bank instead of drive… well that’s up to you!

Welcome to 2013 and we look forward to helping you achieve your "fiscal fitness goals" in the New Year!

Download Your Fiscal Fitness Training Guide Today*

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*PDF format documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader. Excel format documents require Microsoft Excel (download the Excel Viewer).

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Heartland Gives Back to 11 Area Organizations Through the 2012 Holiday Silent Auction

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The tradition of giving continues this season at Heartland Bank. This year’s Holiday Party, held Saturday, December 15th at the Jefferson Country Club, market the 16th Annual Silent Auction where employees had the opportunity to bid on items with proceeds going to benefit several local organizations.

Heartland Employees Support Local Organizations at Heartland’s Annual Silent Auction

This year 11 area organizations benefitted from the generosity of Heartland Bank staff at the Silent Auction. As Central Ohio’s Community Bank, Heartland has a tradition of giving back to the communities in which we serve and during this holiday season, we cannot think of a more appropriate time to give back to the communities we serve.

Each Heartland Bank office selected a charitable organization in their market as the recipient of funds through the auction of items donated by loyal clients and area philanthropists. Through the generosity and teamwork of clients, employees and area businesses, over $6,000 was raised at this year’s party.

Making an Impact

We received this letter from WARM (Westerville Area Resource Ministry) as a follow-up to our donation and thanking the bank for our partnership. What we were amazed to find out is that through our donation and other related contributions from the bank we made quite an impact. Below are the "stats" of just how far our donations went this holiday season.

Made the holidays better for 59 families
These families consisted of 236 people
Meals served for a week - 4,248!

Since starting the Holiday Silent Auction back in 1996, Heartland Bank has donated over $53,000 to benefit local organizations. This year the recipients are listed below. Be sure to click on the links to visit the organizations and learn more.

American Red Cross of Licking County http://www.redcrossoflc.org

Croton Church of Christ Food Pantry http://crotonchurchofchrist.org

Dublin Food Pantry http://dublinfoodpantry.org

Faith Mission http://www.faithmissionofohio.org

Gahanna Residents in Need (G.R.I.N.) http://grin4gahanna.org

Grove City Food Pantry and Emergency Services, Inc. http://www.grovecityfoodpantry.org

Johnstown Food Pantry http://foodpantry.oldgleaner.com

Lutheran Social Services Food Pantry http://www.lssco.org/lsspantry.php

Reynoldsburg Helping Hands Food Pantry

Victory Ministries http://www.victoryministriescolumbus.org

Westerville Area Resource Ministry (W.A.R.M.) http://www.warmwesterville.org

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From everyone at Heartland Bank wishes you have a safe and wonderful Holiday Season!

Open An Account or Apply for a Loan Anywhere, Anytime with Heartland Bank

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 14:55:00 GMT

Technology is a wonderful thing and has made our lives easier in so many ways. For example, travel is made easier thanks to GPS navigation, whether it’s integrated in your new car’s dashboard or on your mobile device. You just plug in the address of your destination and click “GO” and let the magic happen. Before you know it, you’ve got a route spelled out for you to follow, sometimes even taking into consideration traffic or construction, so that you get where you want to go with ease. While you still have to drive (the Google driverless car hasn’t come to Ohio yet), technology has made the trip easier (photo courtesy of Edumunds Inside Line).

Technology has made banking easier and more accessible as well. As we like to say, “It doesn’t matter where your bank is - It matters who is at your bank” and one of the great new features of our newly re-launched website (in addition to our Blog) is our Online Account Center. Anyone interested in opening a deposit account (checking, savings or CD), applying for a loan (mortgage, auto or home equity) or even getting a Heartland Bank MasterCard® can get started from this one, convenient place. But the best part about our Online Account Center is that you can become a Heartland Bank client from anywhere, at any time all completely online! Here are just a few of the fun places where you may want to consider giving our Online Account Center a try.

At Home

This is an obvious first choice since many of our clients already are logging in to our Online Banking system from home to check balances, transfer funds and pay their bills. But after you get home from a busy day at the office or put the kids to bed you may have found another day has slipped by and you never made it to the bank to get started on refinancing your home loan. Not to worry since you can apply for a home mortgage loan online with ease. So settle in to your favorite comfy chair or grab the laptop and work at the kitchen table and get started.

At the Office

Let’s first make one thing clear… we’re not suggesting you do your banking while at the office (because you really should be “working” while you are at work). But we know that many of our clients will check their accounts during the workday during a break and that’s just fine. If you’re having a hard time getting away from your desk during the weekday to open up that savings account or maybe you’d like to take advantage of our special 24-Month Online CD (and the great rate it offers), your next account is just a few clicks away.

At the Local Coffee Shop

There are lots of places now where you can get free WiFi and connect to the Internet. Many coffee shops, libraries, airports hotels and educational institutions give you the ability to check e-mail, surf the web and visit social media sites (such as Heartland Bank’s Facebook page). Now, you can add “open an account” or “apply for a loan” to this list of things you can do while out-and-about.

But before you hop online and start entering all of your personal information, you’re going to want to be sure that you’re being secure and your details are protected. Regardless of whether you are going to be opening account or just browsing the web, here are some suggestions on being safe while using the Internet on an open WiFi connection. As an alternative, many wireless companies have “mobile hotspot” devices to help get you online, or you can enable the “hotspot” feature on your smart phone to create your own private WiFi network for maximum security.

While on Vacation

Taking some time to get away is always a good way to recharge your batteries and enjoy some time away from “reality.” But opening an account while on vacation, are we serious? It may be a bit of a stretch to think that you’ll open your next checking account while lounging by the pool (watch out for splashes from the kids), many people will take vacation time to get caught up on some of the little things during their time away from home. The great part about Heartland’s Online Account Center is that it’s available from anywhere you can get on the Internet, so the possibilities are endless. Plus, the great part is if you want to get your account started while on vacation it won’t take you long to get through the necessary screens and then get on with your day (and enjoy the rest of your trip).

While You Visit Santa at the North Pole

Ok, so maybe this one is a bit far-fetched and if we were not headed into the holidays this likely wouldn’t have made the list. But we heard Santa has had Internet at the North Pole for quite some time and even uses Google* to keep tabs on his “naughty or nice” list – so you better watch out! If you’re planning on stopping by to visit the big guy this holiday season bring your computer because you can hop online and open your next account. Maybe you could use a new Heartland Bank MasterCard® to complete the rest of your holiday shopping. Just be sure to have your list ready since he’s pretty busy this time of year.

This list could go on, but you get the point. As you can tell we’re pretty excited about the convenience that our Online Account Center creates for our clients and hope you are too. We want to make it as easy for anyone to join our banking family and experience for themselves why at Heartland Bank “banking feels good.”

*We’re not really sure if Santa does have Internet access or uses Google, but it sounds good, doesn’t it? ;-)

P.S. Don't forget to check out our tutorial on how to open a deposit account online. It's a great step-by-step guide to getting your next checking, savings or CD account opened online!

Business Leaders Learn About How State and Local Tax Impact Their Business

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Business Leaders gathered at Heartland Bank’s main office on October 31st for a Power Breakfast presentation to help them better understand the impact of state and local taxes. Presenting was Laurence Jones, Director of the State and Local Tax Practice at Brixey & Meyer, and he led the discussion with information about how to reduce your risk of non-compliance on state and local taxes, as well as taking advantage of all incentives available when you invest in your business.

Included in this discussion was a lively conversation on the how a business could be at risk of a Use Tax audit, nexus in other states, withholding and remitting payroll taxes to additional cities and maximizing incentives to the fullest extent.

At the close of his presentation, Jones talked about the three new programs that are available. The presentation is also available for download.

Business Investment Program provides at 10% non-refundable personal income tax credit for investments up to $10 million to investors that infuse new equity (cash) into Ohio small businesses to acquire an ownership interest in the company.
Vacant Building program grants to an employer that moves operations into a facility that has been vacant for 12 month and increases payroll by hiring and employing employees at the facility. The grants are equal to $500 per employee.
Training Program – Ohio has $20M in training funds from casinos to be used for training on a first come first serve basis with application opening as soon as October.

G. Scott McComb, Chairman, President and CEO of Heartland Bank closed the breakfast with comments on the state of the economy and stated, “These Power Breakfasts help Heartland Bank continue its tradition of helping clients by bringing them sound financial advice and excellent resources to help make valuable decision.”

Laurence’s practice areas include business and tax incentives, tax consulting/compliance, sales/use tax and property tax. The Brixey & Meyer team has negotiated and secured more than $330 million in incentives for clients with credits and cash grants at the federal, state and local level, including jobs creation tax credits, investment tax credits, training grants, training credits, New Market Tax Credits and the Work Opportunity/Welfare-To-Work Tax Credit.

Prior to joining Brixey & Meyer, Laurence was with Ernst & Young’s Ohio Valley State and Local Tax Practice where he secured over $200 million of incentives representing global and national organizations. Laurence is a member of the International Economic Development Council and the Ohio Economic Development Association.

To learn more about Laurence Jones and Bixey & Meyer services you can visit www.brixeyandmeyer.com.

About Heartland's Power Breakfast Series

If you’re a small business owner and looking for a bank to be your “partner in success” be sure to check out all of our helpful business banking services. We’d be honored to help!

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Open Your Next Deposit Account Online! Here's How...

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

We'd like to take some time to help show you just how easy it is to get a deposit account opened online with our Online Account Center. Whether you're interested in getting a Checking Account, Savings Account or one of our great rate Certificate of Deposits, you can get your account opened from the convenience of your own computer.

Here's How...

If you're on the home page just click on the big orange Start Now button to get to our Online Account Center. From there, you can see all the different products you can open online.

In this post we'll be talking about deposits only, but it's worth noting that you can apply for a mortgage loan, home equity loan, vehicle loan, personal loan and even a credit card all from the Online Account Center. In this tutorial, you'll want to click on the Checking, Savings and CDs link.

Once you've started the application process, there is some important disclosure information that you need to read first. This is a bank, after all, and we want to make sure you know we take your privacy very seriously. To move to the next step, click the Continue link at the bottom.

At the next screen you'll be able to indicate if you're a NEW customer to the bank or if you've already got accounts with us now. Check the appropriate option and then provide the necessary information. New customers will have to enter a Zip code to ensure that you reside in our market area and current customers can securely provide their information. When you're ready, click Continue to pick the product you want to open.

Now you have the ability to pick the account (or accounts) you wish to open. Check the box(es) next to make your selection and after you click Continue you'll be guided along the process and we'll collect the rest of the necessary information.

See, we told you it would be easy. So, what are you waiting for??? Hop on over to our Online Account Center and get your account opened today!

Raising the bar for media packaging and storage solutions

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Univenture’s greatest feature is their ability to understand customer needs and find a solution that adds value and differentiates a company’s product from others available on the market.

The World Leader in Disc Packaging for 25 Years

Ross O. Youngs - Founder, CEO & Inventor – After nearly 10 years working in technology-focused businesses, Youngs founded Univenture in 1988 in Marysville, Ohio to invent and manufacture innovative media packaging solutions for corporate customers in the US and abroad. Youngs’ educational background had exposed him to environmental science and industrial engineering, which turned out to be a good combination for this his “new” venture. Combined with extensive work experience in the engineering of optical and videodiscs, he invented an exciting, new package for compact discs that not only protects the discs but also conserves resources.

Youngs received a US Patent in July 1989 for the innovative Safety-sleeve® design. The product was an immediate success and the company surpassed $1 million in sales in 1991. Univenture moved to a larger facility in 1994 and started one of the first packaging manufacturers' web sites.

The dedication of the Univenture team and superior-quality products has resulted in numerous awards and accolades for its innovation, commitment to customers, and sales growth. The company has been listed on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies and Ross Youngs has been named Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration and Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.

Youngs was considering moving his banking relationship from a large financial institution when a friend referred him to Heartland Bank. Youngs met with the bank, liked what he saw and moved his entire banking relationship to Heartland. We’re so glad he did!

Focusing on quality, consistency, and innovation, Univenture developed its novel U-1000 automated packaging technology that has provided tier-1 media suppliers with an improved solution for high-volume media packaging and customization. The company continues to invent and develop new technologies and products that offer value and competitive advantage to a wide range of industrial clients both in the U.S. and abroad.

Univenture firmly believes in the conservation of both ecological and economic resources. Univenture has sustained an environmentally conscious reputation beginning with their patented and award-winning Safety-sleeve® product. This unique sleeve design offers superior disc protection, manufactured of 100% recyclable polypropylene, as well as significant material and weight reduction.

Comprised of its successful UniKeep, EnvyPak, and Safety-sleeve brands, Univenture has designed and manufactured media packaging for leading companies in the entertainment, software, and publishing industries for 25 years. Univenture has sales and manufacturing operations in Marysville, Ohio and distribution capabilities worldwide.

To learn more about Univenture, please feel free to visit their website.

13311 County Highway 1
Marysville, OH 43040
(800) 992-8262

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Smile – Everyday is a good day at Shull’s Hardware - Family owned and operated since 1958

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Local hardware store personal service and advice is alive and well in Johnstown, Ohio. Since 1958, Shull’s Hardware has been committed to giving good service and advice to customers. “We try to treat people the way we would like to be treated as a person,” says owner Mike Shull.

Back of T-Shirts:

Smile – Everyday is a good day at Shull’s Hardware - Family owned and operated since 1958

If you would ask anyone in the Johnstown-area community if they have ever heard of Shull’s Hardware – chances are the answer would be a resounding YES! When we think of times gone by, we remember when we could stop in the local hardware store and buy the one bolt you needed, even if you weren’t really sure of the size. It seems like they “just knew” and had all the answers. Living in the community his entire live, Mike Shull of Shull’s Hardware is proud to keep that tradition going. In fact, he was even a member of the Fire Department at one time and put his life on the line for many years – on call 24 hours a day.

“Since 1958 we have been committed to giving good service and advice to customers. We try to treat people the way we would like to be treated as a person. Respect in this country is declining but I’m too stubborn to let that change the way we do business,” says Shull.

Shull’s Hardware began in 1958 by Mike’s father, Jack Shull, and grandfather of Lindsey Bavier. Jack’s goal was to start a business in the community that would benefit everyone. One of his other hopes was to start the beginning of a line of generations in his family to run the business. In 1975 his son, Mike, began managing the store. In 1982, Mike decided there needed to be an update and the first remodel began. Mike purchased a second side of the store in order to expand and with that he put the stamp of the second generation of the Shull’s on the hardware store.

Lindsey has been working under her father for many years as the manager and recently decided it was time to ensure the business continued on to the third generation. One of her biggest things with the remodel was to be able to include as many family members and friends as possible. For the children who could not help tear down walls, paint, etc. she allowed them to spray paint the walls with their name or pictures. Don’t let this fool you though, adults did this too. At Shull’s it isn’t all work, it’s fun and games as well.

Mike Shull has been a client of Heartland Bank for many years. After talking with Randy Kelly (manager of Heartland’s Johnstown office) for the past two years about remodeling, renovation began in February of 2012. The main goal was to be able to better serve the customers with new inventory and larger space. Merchandise numbers initially doubled and now have nearly tripled since the remodel began and it is only increasing as they are seeing even more customers (and sales).

After only ten months of construction, Saturday, November 10th was the Grand Re-Opening/Customer Appreciation Celebration. Many customers, friends and family stopped in to check out all of the changes and enjoy free hot dogs, popcorn and door prizes. When talking about relationships, Mike said, “I am a member of Do It Best Corp which is a dealer owned co-op. It has been with their guidance that we have redesigned this store to make it look like it does today. I would also like to thank Heartland Bank for going out on a limb for us. Without them, we would not be celebrating today.”

The biggest challenge over the past few years has been the competition between Big Box Stores (like Lowes & Home Depot) and retailers like Krogers, CVS, Dollar Stores, etc. Mike Shull commented, “the increased competition and customer choices have made us sit back and listen to customers’ needs and likes and to try and create a niche to bring customers to our store.” Lindsey went on to say, “people in general and communities are starting to go back to their roots and enjoy the small-town atmosphere and personal service. Hopefully that means our future looks bright and busy trying to keep up with the needs of our community.”

Technology has changed their business as well. Between their website and Facebook page they have built a whole new clientele and have been able to reach and communicate in a new way. While Lindsey takes care of the Internet aspects of the business, her father still prefers to do the books the old fashioned way (by hand). One technology compromise he’s made is getting stronger reading glasses so he can see the cell phone pictures of customers’ projects to get them out of a mess.

The next milestone will be Shull’s Hardware 55th Anniversary in November of 2013. Keep a watch out and visit their website at http://www.shulls.doitbest.com or join them on Facebook.

67 S. Main
Johnstown, OH 43031
740-967-6896
E-Mail: shullshardware@midohio.twcbc.com

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