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Zogby Poll Puts Kerry-Edwards Up 2 Points
Thursday, July 08, 2004UTICA, N.Y. -- The newly announced Democratic presidential ticket of Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards enters the race with a two-point lead over President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney -- 48% to 46%, according to a new Zogby America poll. The poll of likely voters was conducted July 6 and 7.In a one on one match-up with the president, Kerry leads by two points (46%-44%), with 7% undecided.
Youngstown Awards First Construction Contract for Civic Center
Thursday, July 08, 2004By Dan O'BrienYOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Within two weeks, the public should see construction activity begin at the downtown site where the city plans to build its long-awaited civic center.The city's board of control this morning awarded the first contract associated with the project, selecting Marucci & Gaffney Excavating Co., Youngstown, for a $1, 337,114 contract involving the first phase of site preparation work for the $41 million convocation center.Marucci was the lowest overall bidder of the three companies that submitted proposals.
Ohio Offers $75 Million in Mortgage Financing
Thursday, July 08, 2004COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Some $75 million in state funding for mortgage financing is available to qualified, first-time homebuyers through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, state officials announced today."This assistance will help hundreds of qualified homebuyers get into their first home," says Bradley, chair of the OHFA Board.The funds are available through the Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bond Program. Homebuyers can choose between two mortgage interest rates including an unassisted mortgage rate or a slightly higher rate, which includes downpayment assistance.
FirstMerit Adds Services for 'Owner-Managed Businesses'
Thursday, July 08, 2004AKRON, Ohio -- Growing business demands and increased banking activity for business owners has prompted FirstMerit Corp. to retool its business services, the bank said Wednesday.The bank introduced an array of new services intended to benefit businesses.
Youngstown Motorists Pay $14M More for Gasoline
Thursday, July 08, 2004WASHINGTON -- Ohio drivers could pay as much as $483 million more for gasoline this summer driving season than they did last summer, with as much as $14 million of that higher cost coming out of the pockets of motorists residing in the Youngstown/Warren area. So finds a minority report by the U.S. House Committee on Government Reform jointly released late Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-17th, Ohio, and his five Democratic colleagues in Ohio's delegation.
Emerging Markets Driving Internet Sales Growth
Thursday, July 08, 2004SAN FRANCISCO -- Internet merchant payments reached $3.8 billion in the first quarter, up nearly 50% from a year ago, according to a report from Wells Fargo & Co. The rapid growth of the company's Internet payments business is due to the growing need for online payments among U.S businesses selling abroad, as well as from growth in the education, government and insurance markets.
Most Buyers Use Internet to Shop for Used Vehicles
Thursday, July 08, 2004WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. -- Internet use among used-vehicle buyers has jumped significantly, with 54% of late-model used-vehicle buyers using the Internet during their shopping process-up from 47% in 2003, according to a new J.D. Power and Associates 2004 Used Autoshopper.com Study."This is the most explosive growth in the used-vehicle automotive Internet user rate we have seen in three years," said Dennis Galbraith, senior director of research for J.D. Power and Associates.
GM Launches 'Summerdrive' Incentive Program
Thursday, July 08, 2004DETROIT -- GM yesterday announced its latest marketing initiative, Summerdrive, which is available on vehicles delivered from July 7 through Aug. 2.
Ohio Workers' Comp Identifies Deadbeat Employers
Thursday, July 08, 2004COLUMBUS -- Three local companies are among the top 150 businesses identified today as delinquent in making workers' compensation premium payments. Included on the list -- released this morning by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation -- were Better Living Now Inc. and National Painting and Fireproofing Inc., both in Warren, and the Youngstown Area Urban League Corp. in Youngstown. As of July 7, 1,710 Ohio businesses owing more than $1,000 let their BWC premiums reach a lapsed status, BWC officials said in a news release.
First National Bank Begins Construction on Seven Fields Office
Wednesday, July 07, 2004HERMITAGE, Pa. -- First National Bank of Pennsylvania is spending $1.5 million to build a new branch in Seven Fields, Butler County, that should open in September.Paul Puleo, president and chief executive offficer of the bank's southern region, will have oversight responsibility. "Butler County is one of the fastest-growing areas in western Pennsylvania," said Stephen Gurgovits, president and CEO of F.N.B. Corp., parent of First National Bank.