'3 Minutes With' Jacqueline Williams, Ohio Development Services Agency
Thursday, April 10, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- "3 Minutes With” features Jacqueline Williams, chief of the Ohio Development Services Agency’s Minority Business Development Division, who attended Tuesday’s grand opening for the agency’s Youngstown Minority Business Assistance Center (READ STORY). Williams discusses how the center's services will aid minority-owned businesses.
"3 Minutes With" is a daily video feature produced by The Business Journal.
Public to Choose Next Move for Farmers' Mannequins
Wednesday, April 09, 2014BOARDMAN, Ohio – The mannequins at Farmers National Bank’s Route 224 billboard near the Southern Park Mall are getting ready for something new, and the public will have the opportunity to decide what that is.
Farmers is launching a community campaign to decide what comes next for the billboard, which began in late 2010 with a single rock climber. “Ben” subsequently was joined by his wife, “Emma,” both of whom are now sporting Relay for Life T-shirts to promote that cause. Later additions to the billboard have included a house and car.
Johnson Named to House Science, Space Committee
Wednesday, April 09, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson (R-16) today announced that he has been selected by the House Republican Steering Committee to service on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, which is chaired by Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas.
Johnson noted in a prepared statement released by his office that his appointment enables him to have a voice regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "scientific justification for rules affecting Eastern and Southeastern Ohio."
State Minority-Business Office Opens in Youngstown
Wednesday, April 09, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The Youngstown Minority Business Assistance Center means to live up to its name, David Goodman, Jacqueline Williams and Michael R. Conway announced Tuesday.
Goodman is director of the Ohio Development Services Agency, Williams chief of the agency’s Minority Business Development Division, and Conway executive director of Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corp.
Why Small Business Finds It Hard to Borrow from Banks
Wednesday, April 09, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A small-business owner faces two daunting challenges: The first is securing the financing needed to open his enterprise. The second is ensuring he maintains the financing needed to stay open.
“Startups are the hardest to finance,” says Steve A. Spencer, president of the Youngstown chapter of Score, formerly the Service Corps of Retired Executives. Spencer should know. He’s the former president of three commercial banks.
“The success ratio of startups is low,” he says, “because of their lack of capital.”
F.N.B. Acquires Maryland's OBA Bank for $94 million
Wednesday, April 09, 2014HERMITAGE, Pa. -- F.N.B. Corporation announced Tuesday that it will acquire OBA Financial Services Inc., the Germantown, Md.-based holding company and parent of OBA Bank. The all-stock transaction is valued at $94 million in the aggregate.
Centers for Hearing Care Offer iPhone Aid
Wednesday, April 09, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The Centers for Hearing Care is among the first to offer Halo, a made-for-iPhone hearing aid. The Halo also is compatible with the iPad and iPod Touch.
'3 Minutes With' Lita Wills, Executive Director, Mahoning Valley College Access Program
Wednesday, April 09, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- "3 Minutes With” features Lita Wills, executive director of Mahoning Valley College Access Program, who discusses MVCAP’s efforts to improve college attainment rates. MVCAP, which has primarily worked with students at the high school level, this year also is working with students in younger grades to instill college awareness. Mayor John McNally read a book geared about college and careers Tuesday to second graders at McGuffey Elementary School, and Warren Mayor Doug Franklin will read to students today.
Southwestern Pa. Real Estate Market Sees Growth
Wednesday, April 09, 2014PITTSBURGH -- The residential real estate market in the 13-county area of Southwestern Pennsylvania, which includes Mercer and Lawrence counties, posted an increase in homes placed under agreement during the month of March and a higher average sale price.
Ryan's Bill Seeks Nutrition Curricula in Med Schools
Tuesday, April 08, 2014YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13, today joined with two of his colleagues in introducing legislation that would create a grant program for medical schools and osteopathic colleges to create an integrated nutrition curriculum program.