2024 Ohio Valley Remarkable Women Nominee: Jill Hissom

BARNESVILLE, Ohio (WTRF) — What ties us to the place where we were born and raised?

As far as you travel across the entire world, nothing will ever feel quite like home—especially when that home is in the Ohio Valley.

For 20 years, Jill Hissom left her native Barnesville to work in several major cities.

But she found her way back, first by working remotely for the Chamber of Commerce, and then eventually moving back full time to promote the small-town life that gave her that first professional push.

“I absolutely love Barnesville, and I don’t think there’s a day that goes by that I don’t say something positive and, ‘oh, you need to come to Barnesville’ or ‘you need to see this.'”

Jill Hissom, Director, Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce

And under her watch, there have been lots of things to see.

The monthly ‘Fun in the Ville’ event every summer, which includes games and music, is her creation, as is its winter sister event, Christmas in the Ville.

Chamber membership has increased by nearly a factor of six.

Her ‘John and Jill’ videos with President John Rataiczak give Barnesville businesses a Facebook-wide audience.

It’s all part of a joy for networking that makes others excited for the village where history meets progress.

“I used to work for American Airlines, and when a customer would come up, I just felt that it takes more energy to stand there and be cranky and crabby. Why not have fun with them and talk to them and see where they’re going and why they’re going to this destination?”

Jill Hissom, Director, Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce

You wouldn’t know it from the tens of thousands who line the streets for the Pumpkin Festival, but Hissom says Barnesville has preserved its quiet mountain life.

While she hears the requests for big chain restaurants, she says the mom-and-pop stores have thrived in their absence.

And they’re waiting for you to walk through the door and experience them.

“Everyone gets frustrated, ‘oh, a small town.’ But in the big picture, if anyone needs anything, all you have to do is make a couple of phone calls…Everyone tries to work together to make it an even bigger and better place than what we have.”

Jill Hissom, Director, Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce

So when you see more than 500 children collecting candy at their massive Halloween celebration this year…you’ll see the work of Barnesville’s most devoted advocate, who knows there’s no place like home.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTRF.