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GM Lordstown Car Show Raises $41K for Charities
Thursday, August 12, 2004LORDSTOWN, Ohio -- Last weekend's car show at General Motors Lordstown that marked the retirement of the Chevrolet Cavalier and the Pontiac Sunfire raised $41,000 for two area charities, GM announced today.The beneficiaries are the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast Ohio and the Paula and Anthony Rich Center for the Study and Treatment of Autism at Youngstown State University.The event, which took place Aug. 7, brought more than 6,000 visitors to the manufacturing complex -- including Ohio Gov. Bob Taft and U.S. Sen. George Voinovich.
Retail Sales Bounce Back in July
Thursday, August 12, 2004WASHINGTON -- Consumers took a breather in June but were back in the stores in July, shopping at general merchandise, sporting goods, and furniture stores, reports the National Retail Federation. According to the trade group's calculations, July retail sales rose 7.2% over last year and increased 0.8% over June. "The strength of July sales demonstrates that June's weakness was simply a blip on the radar," said the National Retail Federation's chief economist, Rosalind Wells.
SBA Sets New Records for Loans to Entrepreneurs
Thursday, August 12, 2004WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration reports its two major loan programs have backed more loans than ever before in the agency's 51-year history -- even with eight weeks remaining in its fiscal year.As of Aug. 6 -- eight weeks before the end of fiscal 2004 -- the SBA's 7(a) loan program had guaranteed 67,493 loans, more than the record 67,306 loans made in fiscal 2003. In addition, the agency had backed 6,974 loans through its 504 program, surpassing the 2003 record of 6,863 loans.
Car Dealer Finishes One Expansion, Plans Another"
Thursday, August 12, 2004HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Varley's Dodge City recently completed the first phase of its construction and expansion project -- and already is planning a second phase.The $70,000 addition, extending the parts and service area, will be used primarily as a tool storage area for the dealership's service technicians.
Toy Business No Longer Fun for Toys "R" Us
Thursday, August 12, 2004YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Toys "R" Us Inc. is looking to exit the retail toy business -- but not before the holiday sales season pumps cash into the company, officials announced late yesterday.In a statement titled an "update on its strategic review," Toys "R" Us announced it is taking preliminary steps to separate its global toy business and Babies "R" Us business, and sell the Toys "R' Us franchise. Concurrently, operating costs and capital expenditures are being scaled back, the company said.Toys "R" Us operates two stores in the Mahoning Valley, one in Boardman and one in Niles.
SBA Recognizes Youngstown's Job-Creation Program
Thursday, August 12, 2004By George NelsonYOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The award may have had his name on it, but Mayor George McKelvey deflected the kudos from the U.S. Small Business Administration."It's not my award. It's an award for our economic development department. It's an award for the Small Business Administration," McKelvey said shortly after accepting SBA's Region V Leadership Award for Economic Development on his own behalf and the city. The award was in recognition of the city's Economic Revitalization Initiative, a public-private partnership involving SBA, the city of Youngstown and area banks.
"Car Dealer Finishes One Expansion, Plans Another"
Wednesday, August 11, 2004"HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Varley's Dodge City recently completed the first phase of its construction and expansion project -- and already is planning a second phase.The $70,000 addition, extending the parts and service area, will be used primarily as a tool storage area for the dealership's service technicians.
Survey Shows Shortages of Cement, Building Materials"
Wednesday, August 11, 2004WASHINGTON -- A shortage of cement and other key building materials looms as the biggest threat to the dynamic housing market that has produced record levels of new home construction in the United States, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)."A nationwide survey conducted in July shows that builders are reporting shortages of cement, gypsum wallboard, oriented strand board [OSB], steel framing and insulating materials," said Jerry Howard, executive vice president and NAHB's chief executive officer.
Fear, Knowledge and Drive are Keys to Business Success"
Wednesday, August 11, 2004This article is new this week in The Business Journal's small business how-to section. To see what else is new, click here or click on the "how-to" tab at the top of The Daily Business Journal Online home page.For many business executives, understanding how to ensure an organization's success can sometimes seem to be as scientific as a day at the racetrack. A CEO, president or business owner must possess three innate skills in order to be successful: Fear, knowledge and drive. <more>"