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Plexus is an affiliate of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Business News
Kasich declares Ohio is 'alive again, we're out of the ditch'
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 14:54:05 EST
His second State of the State address focuses particularly on jobs in the manufacturing sector.
Steris posts higher third-quarter profits, but lowers sales outlook for flagship product
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 14:24:11 EST
It doesn't expect to sell as many units as expected of its device that cleans endoscopes and other medical equipment.
JumpStart Inc. issued $1 million challenge grant by Knight Foundation
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:43:40 EST
The money will help the nonprofit bring its model for fostering entrepreneurship to 20 additional cities.
Global Cleveland opens Welcome Hub on Public Square downtown
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:27:57 EST
The hub will help newcomers connect to jobs, local communities and resources for starting a business.
Summit County Port Authority outlines strategic plan
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:18:09 EST
The port said the plan focuses on five core areas that 'directly support its mission to lead economic development finance in the region.'
Energy Focus Inc. secures $2.5 million in lighting retrofit contracts
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 10:01:09 EST
The Solon company didn't identify the customers by name but said they include a Fortune 500 manufacturing plant in the United States and a university in the Midwest.
TransDigm Group reports first-quarter profit vs. year-ago loss, raises full-year forecast
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:39:11 EST
Acquisitions over the last year helped propel results higher.
Kodak layoffs planned in wake of bankruptcy filing
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:25:39 EST
Dayton-area Eastman Kodak Co. employees have been told that about 16% of the companyand#8217;s local work force -- about 80 employees -- will be laid off this month.
Ohioand#8217;s prisoner medical costs top $222 million
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:24:23 EST
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections is under a federal class action lawsuit filed in 2003 to improve medical care for prisoners, and that has led the state to hire hundreds of medical staff and build new facilities for prisoner care.
Experts discuss future of drilling in Lake County
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:19:29 EST
At an informational meeting on Monday evening, Dale Arnold, director of Energy Policy for the Ohio Farm Bureau, said drilling is just one of numerous energy sources -- including wind and solar -- the country will need to meet demands moving forward.
Court reporting is going digital
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:16:00 EST
In Lucas County Common Pleas Court, one courtroom already has transitioned from a human court reporter to a digital system. There are plans to install equipment in three additional courtrooms, although no timeline is in place.
Wendy's seeks injunction against Montana franchisee
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:12:13 EST
Wendy's Co. of Dublin has asked a judge to keep a Montana-based franchisee from using the company's brand because it has ignored demands to comply with company standards for food safety.
State Farm adding jobs in central Ohio
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:10:01 EST
State Farm plans to add about 90 jobs in central Ohio, part of 3,000 the insurer is creating in North America, the company said. The jobs in Columbus and Newark, Ohio, are available now.
State raises cost of study of leasing Ohio Turnpike
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:06:42 EST
The state wants to pay $2.85 million for advice on how to 'leverage' the Ohio Turnpike, the 241-mile toll road that Gov. John Kasich says could be worth billions if leased to a private company. State officials previously estimated the study would cost $1.5 million.
Price tag for Highland Square grocery store could be nearly $7 million
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:50:52 EST
Akron spent $3.1 million on the Highland Square grocery store project in December 2010 to purchase the rest of the property needed to make a grocery store at the corner of North Portage Path and West Market Street a reality.
Avon Lake unveils long-awaited business growth plan
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:48:31 EST
The plan consists of key components such as a job growth incentive program, creating a community investment corporation, developing a strong marketing plan for the city, bringing on a grant writer and hiring a part-time assistant for the mayor.
Newspaper museum set up in Vermilion
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:47:00 EST
Still inside the former home of the Vermilion News is old machinery, relics of a time when dozens of fonts were not accessible by means of a computer drop-down menu, but by large wooden cabinets full of lead and wooden type, to put on Linotype typesetting machine.
Consumer research firm to build 250,000-square-foot headquarters in downtown Cincinnati
Tue, 7 Feb 2012 07:44:43 EST
Known for its client list of sought-after brands and retailers, and a young, highly paid work force, dunnhumbyUSA put more weight on the revitalization happening in downtown's central business district than the multimillions of dollars in financial incentives offered by county and city leaders.
Nestlé unit to move Hot Pockets, Lean Pockets business units to Solon
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 15:28:40 EST
Those operations currently are in Colorado.
New Stark State president takes over
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:23:55 EST
Para Jones is the fourth president in the collegeand#8217;s 51-year history -- the first woman in that job.
Rise in business filings points to growing confidence in Dayton region
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:19:51 EST
An increase in new retail vendor licenses in Champaign, Greene and Montgomery counties signals growing entrepreneurship and improving confidence in investing in those local economies, according to business leaders.
New sections of caverns will bring visitors, jobs
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:18:45 EST
A project to open new sections of the Ohio Caverns is expected to mean a handful of new jobs and 15,000 to 20,000 additional visitors to Champaign County this year.
Cincinnati-area banks end 2011 strong
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:12:38 EST
An analysis of the banksand#8217; most recent financial results indicates the institutions are more likely to be future acquirers than takeover targets. That means these banks would remain vital contributors to the economy, and keep more lending decisions in the hands of local executives.
Site of Kasich's State of the State speech spotlights economic challenges
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:11:17 EST
The governor will use Steubenville, a struggling steel town on the Ohio River, which in many ways has more in common with Pittsburgh than Columbus, to push job creation and related energy, education and work force development policies.
Master plan addresses North Canton's struggles with identity in life after Hoover
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:10:00 EST
'For more than a century, North Cantonand#8217;s character has been linked to the Hoover Company. Now, in the post-Hoover era, itand#8217;s up to us to decide what we want to become,' said Bill Strohmenger, chairman of the community steering committee that helped to guide development of the Master Plan.
TP Foods closes on purchase of Tony Packo's Inc.
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:08:38 EST
Employees of Tony Packo's restaurants became temporary workers of TP Foods LLC over the weekend when the two companies closed on the sale of the assets of the chain known for its Hungarian hot dogs and special chili sauce.
Report: Risk of new bank failures grows
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:05:49 EST
Of the 231 financial institutions in the Buckeye State, 17, or 7.4%, have a five ranking, meaning they are the most vulnerable for closure. That's according to New York-based Invictus Consulting Group LLC, which completed stress and sustainability tests on all banks insured by the FDIC.
Last-minute hotel scramble sealed NHL All-Star Game for Columbus
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 08:04:55 EST
To land the 2013 event, Columbus' bid team had to convince a large convention to change its dates next January.
Grant will help clear asbestos from downtown Columbus building, clearing way for redevelopment
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:58:45 EST
A $300,000 state grant will help developers clean up the Atlas Building, but they have a lot of work ahead before the venerable structure is restored. The estimated cost to remove asbestos in the building on Long Street is $1and#8201;million.
Fearing casinos, groups including bingo sites, bars and charities call for expanding gambling further
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 07:52:27 EST
A plan to update regulations before Ohio's first casinos and 'racinos' open in coming months is attracting a glut of interest from other groups with skin in the gambling game.
Crain's podcast: FitzGerald banking on backing for central services plan
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 04:30:00 EST
Our Behind the News crew tackles this week's top stories.
Feb. 6-10, 2012
Mon, 6 Feb 2012 04:30:00 EST
Monday, Feb. 6: The government releases consumer credit data for December. Briefing.com
Timken, steelworkers agree to another new contract; deal faces worker vote
2012-02-07T23:18:25Z
Timken and its main union have agreed to a second tentative labor contract after workers rejected an earlier pact. If approved, the deal would guarantee a $225 million expansion of the company's main steel plant near Canton.
Liggett Stashower leaves behind big legacy and big debts
2012-02-07T22:52:08Z
Liggett Stashower Inc.'s bankruptcy filing abruptly ends what was once one of the largest and best-known advertising and marketing agencies in Northeast Ohio.
Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich to tour Jergens Inc. during Cleveland visit
2012-02-07T21:50:00Z
The manufacturing company is led by Jack Schron, a Republican member of the Cuyahoga County Council.
Speak up if you want free credit scores with annual reports: Plain Dealing
2012-02-07T21:36:23Z
Consumers Union is rallying consumers to urge Congress to make credit scores free when they order their free annual credit reports.
4 Yahoo board member including chair leaving
2012-02-07T21:30:24Z
The shake-up announced Tuesday continues a drastic makeover of Yahoo's leadership during the past month as the company tries to win back investors frustrated with years of broken turnaround promises.
Peter B. Lewis bankrolling Massachusetts marijuana question
2012-02-07T21:25:36Z
According to state campaign finance reports, the Progressive Corp. chairman contributed $525,000 to the Committee for Compassionate Medicine, which is supporting the question.
Industrial Plastics Co. considering moving 140 jobs to Kentucky
2012-02-07T21:19:12Z
The 500 headquarter and customer call center jobs would remain in Valley City in Medina County, the company says.
Dow, up 33 . . . S&P, up 3 . . . NASDAQ, up 2
2012-02-07T21:16:45Z
Stocks are ending higher as Greece appeared close to announcing a deal with creditors to reduce its debt.
More U.S. states to join foreclosure-abuse deal
2012-02-07T20:55:19Z
Formal announcements could come within a week, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the settlement publicly.
Consumer borrowing rose $19.3 billion in December
2012-02-07T20:15:46Z
The rise in borrowing could be a sign that Americans are more confident in the economy. But consumers could also be borrowing more to make up for wages that haven't kept pace with inflation.
Economic embargo on Cuba turns 50
2012-02-07T19:50:49Z
Cuba is free to trade with other nations, but the U.S. threatens sanctions against foreign companies that don't abide by its restrictions.
Dow approaches 13,000, and maybe a record to come
2012-02-07T19:34:49Z
The Dow traded Tuesday at 12,878, a 21 percent rally from Oct. 3, its low point for last year. In January, the average rose more or less in a straight line and added 3.4 percent, its best start to a year since 1997.
Bernanke: Job market remains weak despite gains
2012-02-07T18:43:59Z
Ben Bernanke says the job market isn't as strong as the steadily declining unemployment rate might suggest.
P.M. Business Links: Company faces forgery charges in foreclosures; 610,000 switched banks in protest; why every homeowner wants granite countertops
2012-02-07T17:00:08Z
Your afternoon look at the business world today.
Glencore, Xstrata agree to $90 billion merger
2012-02-07T15:59:41Z
The new group would be the world's largest producer of thermal coal -- which is used to fire power stations -- as well as becoming major a force in the mining and production of copper, used in electronic cables, and other metals including ferrochrome, a key ingredient in the production of stainless steel.
Job openings jump to near a 3-year high
2012-02-07T15:33:20Z
The Labor Department says companies and governments posted 3.38 million jobs in December. That's up from the 3.12 million advertised in the previous month and nearly matches the three-year high reached in September.
Bernanke is expected to stick with low-rate stance
2012-02-07T15:16:57Z
The super-low rates are meant to encourage consumers and businesses to borrow and spend and further strengthen the economy.
Gas and oil drilling a boom for Steubenville, and a draw for Gov. Kasich
2012-02-07T10:53:30Z
The promise of oil and gas drilling jobs for this long-downtrodden area along the Ohio River are part of the reason Gov. John Kasich will come to this town today to give the first-ever State of the State address outside of Columbus. Kasich's speech also is expected to focus on education and he will give the speech at Steubenville's Wells Academy, the state's highest-ranked public school.