BBB Unveils New Offices, Marketing Campaign
Friday, October 11, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The Better Business Bureau of the Mahoning Valley welcomed the public Thursday to its new offices in the Commerce Building downtown during an open house attended by business and community leaders from the three-county region the chapter serves.
YSU Student Loan Default Rate 14.1%, EGCC 20.7%
Friday, October 11, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Students who take out loans to study at Youngstown State University default at a rate of 14.1% within two years of dropping out or graduating, the U.S. Department of Education reports.
At Eastern Gateway Community College, the rate is 20.7%.
As of Sept. 30, 649 former YSU students were in arrears on their student loans, reports Elaine Ruse, who heads the office of financial aid at the university, but only 52 of that number had graduated. Of the 4,596 who took out federal student loans on which they still owe, she said Thursday, 3,947 are current.
Warren Steel Holdings Updates Workers on Business
Friday, October 11, 2013WARREN, Ohio -- Mahoning Valley media outlets, led to believe the worst, camped out at the Technology Building at the Kent State University Trumbull Campus in Champion Township as employees of Warren Steel Holdings LLC met inside, rumors of a plant shutdown swirling.
Instead, the employees were attending what was characterized as “part of a new initiative aimed at keeping employees better informed about the business,” according to an email from a company spokesman.
Valley Sales of New Vehicles Up 24% in September
Friday, October 11, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Sales of new cars and trucks in the Mahoning Valley spiked 24% during September, according to the Automobile Dealers Association of Eastern Ohio's monthly report.
Dealers in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties report they collectively sold 2,393 new models during the month, compared with 1,924 new vehicles sold during the same period in 2012.
The increase in local retail sales bucked the national trend for September, which saw overall deliveries and sales from the major automakers decline.
Valley Provides Feedback on Vibrant NEO 'Draft Vision'
Friday, October 11, 2013WARREN, Ohio -- Consensus among northeastern Ohio residents is forming around three main economic development themes: investing in existing communities, connecting communities, and preserving and protecting the region’s open spaces and environmental qualities, according to a “draft vision” for the region.
Ohio's Minimum Wage Rises to $7.95 an Hour Jan. 1
Friday, October 11, 2013COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The minimum wage in Ohio is scheduled to increase Jan. 1 to $7.95 per hour for nontipped employees and $3.98 per hour for tipped employees. The higher minimum wage will apply to employees of businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $292,000 per year.
The current minimum wage is $7.85 per hour for nontipped employees and $3.93 for tipped employees, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce. The minimum wage applies to employees of businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $288,000 per year.
ValleyCare Offers Closer Look at Health Insurance
Friday, October 11, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- ValleyCare Health System is offering residents opportunities Oct. 21 and 24 to learn more about their insurance options now that the more of the Affordable Care Act has taken effect.
Carol Snowberger, a human resources generalist, will try to clear up confusion about the Health Insurance Marketplace at 2 p.m. Oct. 21 at Trumbull Memorial Hospital, Warren, and at 10 a.m. Oct. 24 in the Liberty Township administration building, a spokeswoman for ValleyCare says.
Reservations are recommended but not required. To register for either program, call 330 841 5727
'3 Minutes With' Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley
Friday, October 11, 2013SHARON, Pa. -- In today's "3 Minutes With," Pa. Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley discusses the impact of the oil and gas industry on the state and its businesses and how officials are working with oil giant Shell to encourage the company to build a $4 billion petrochemical plant. Cawley visited Sharon Fence Co. this week for a ribbon-cutting (WATCH DAILY BUZZ for Oct. 8).
Huntington Bancshares to Acquire Camco Financial
Thursday, October 10, 2013COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Huntington Bancshares Inc., parent of Huntington National Bank, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Camco Financial Corp., Cambridge, parent of Advantage Bank, for $97 million in cash and stock, the parties announced Thursday.
As of June 30, Advantage Bank had 22 offices in eastern and southern Ohio, the West Virginia panhandle and northern Kentucky with nearly $757 million in assets and $614.62 million in deposits. It also had 55,000 customers.
YSU Williamson College Dedicates Kartalis Room
Thursday, October 10, 2013YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Youngstown State University today dedicated the Katherine Glinatsis Kartalis Team Room in the Williamson College of Business Administration.
The Team Room, on the second floor of the college, provides dedicated and quiet space for student group study and other interaction, such as group meetings for planning or preparation of class presentations.