City Approves $20K Grant to Imbibe Owners
Friday, December 07, 2012YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A partnership that wants to open a new bar offering craft beers is expected to move forward soon following city approval of a $20,000 performance grant Thursday, the city’s economic development director said.
The city Board of Control approved the grant to SKA Limited LLC, which plans to open the new bar on the second floor of 124 W. Federal St. The partnership now operates Imbibe on the first floor of the building. The Youngstown Initiative committee recommended the grant at a meeting last month.
Construction Man-Hours Up for First Time Since 2005
Thursday, December 06, 2012YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The number of man-hours paid skilled tradesmen by members of the Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania rose in 2012 to its highest level since 2005, construction contractors learned Wednesday night at their annual meeting.
“After six years of dismal man-hours, we saw a dramatic increase in man-hours during 2012,” the organization reports. “The question we are all wondering is this: Is this a sustainable recovery or a short-term spike in hours?”
Region's Housing Recovery Real, Mortgage Lenders Find
Thursday, December 06, 2012YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The number of homeowners looking to refinance their mortgages continues to outpace those who want to become homeowners, Mahoning and Shenango Valley mortgage bankers report, but the gap is narrowing as the recovery continues.
Indeed, the percentage of those in the region looking to secure a mortgage to buy a house exceeds the national average, they say. This includes loans for new construction.
Ohio Star Forges Plant Expansion Plans
Thursday, December 06, 2012WARREN, Ohio – Consolidation in the steel industry forced by the Great Recession and the automobile industry’s resurgence in recent years are combining to drive plans by Ohio Star Forge Co. to expand its Champion Township operation.
Those plans, which involve a potential $26 million investment at the plant and an additional 26 to 30 workers over a three-year period, cleared one more hurdle Wednesday, with Trumbull County Commissioners’ approval of a 10-year, 60% abatement of taxes on new real property investments.
'3 Minutes With' Ohio Star Forge’s Bill Orbach
Thursday, December 06, 2012WARREN, Ohio -- In today's "3 Minutes With" video, Bill Orbach, president and CEO of Ohio Star Forge, discusses his company’s plans to expand its Champion Township plant and add 25 to 30 employees, and what needs to happen yet for that to take place. The Trumbull County Commissioners approved a tax abatement Wednesday to support the project. (READ STORY)
Sharon Regional Hospital Reports More ER Visits
Thursday, December 06, 2012SHARON, Pa. -- Sharon Regional Health System recorded a 15.7% increase in emergency department visits during its fiscal year, thanks to a new model of care delivery within its Emergency Care Center known as PhysicianFirst. The program places the emergency room physician at the beginning of the emergency care treatment process.
Payroll Tax Cut Added $1000 to Household Incomes
Thursday, December 06, 2012WASHINGTON – The 2% payroll tax cut put about $1,000 into the pocket of each American family this year, the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee reported Tuesday.
In Ohio, it meant an additional $978 in take-home pay above the $48,875 median household wage and salary income reported for 2011. In Pennsylvania, the cut added $1,059 to the $52,948 median income in 2011.
Golden Buckeye Facebook Page Helps Shoppers Save
Thursday, December 06, 2012COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Those who "like" Ohio's Golden Buckeye page on Facebook will be rewarded with a "Golden Buckeye Savvy Shopper" tip evert day through the end of this month.
Public Intoxication Charges Dismissed Against Ryan
Wednesday, December 05, 2012WASHINGTON – The Washington Post reported on its website Tuesday afternoon that U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-17 Ohio, was arrested in late August for public intoxication and that the misdemeanor case was dismissed Tuesday.
According to the story, which cites Virginia court records, the arrest occurred Aug. 25 and the congressman was released on his own recognizance.
Chesapeake, Gulfport, Hilcorp Issued More Permits
Wednesday, December 05, 2012YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy Corp. continues its aggressive permitting strategy in the Utica shale in eastern Ohio, particularly in Carroll County, state records show.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources issued eight new permits for Chesapeake Exploration LLC for horizontal wells in that county during the week of Nov. 25.