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BUSINESS WORKSHOPS PLANNED: The Ohio Small Business Development Center and Export Assistance Network at Youngstown State University is partnering with the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County to host a series of business workshops in October.
The workshops are designed to help those attending discover and capitalize on business opportunities and learn from experts who will teach market research, financial modeling, financing options, exporting opportunities and business resources.
The first session is Oct. 8 with presenter Stuart Gibbs, a business research librarian at the library. The second session is Oct. 17 and will be presented by Steve Schillig, a strategic growth consultant at the Ohio SBDC at YSU. The third session is Oct. 28th with Mariah Carna, an international trade specialist with the Ohio SBDC EAN at YSU.
Each workshop is 5:30 to 7 p.m., with a wrap up 7 to 7:30 p.m. Workshops are free and open to the public however, seating is limited to 50 people per session, so registration is required. Visit the online Business Seminar Registration Form for more information and to register.
HOSPITAL SYSTEM NAMED TO LIST: Akron Children's has been named on the Forbes list of America's Best-In-State Employers 2024. The award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., a statistics portal and industry ranking provider.
America's Best-In-State Employers 2024 were identified in an independent survey from a sample of more than 160,000 employees working for companies employing at least 500 people within the U.S. The ranking is open to companies from all industry sectors.
Around 4.4 million employer evaluations were considered. An employer's final score is determined on a state-by-state basis and is built upon two types of employee evaluations -- personal, employees' willingness to recommend their employers to friends and family; and public, recommendations from friends and family members of employees, or members of the public who work in the same industry.
REGIONAL CHAMBER EVENTS: The Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber will host Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and its Public Policy Conference next month.
Yost is scheduled to attend the Lattes With Legislators event 7:30 to 9 a.m. Oct. 7 at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown.
The chamber's Public Policy Conference is scheduled 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Grand Resort, 9519 E. Market St., Warren.
At the event, local community and business leaders will have the opportunity to brainstorm with their state associations, local and state government officials and companies to address important public policy issues to develop best management practices to better serve their constituents.
Topics will include economic development site readiness, energy sustainability and workforce development.
Register for both at
regionalchamber.com under the Events tab.
New businesses
NEW STORES AT EWM: Outdoor apparel and gear retailer Sierra Trading Post is coming to the Eastwood Mall Complex, as is Youngstown Clothing Company.
The selection at Sierra Trading Post includes clothing and equipment for camping, running, fishing, skiing, swimming, cycling and hiking. It will be the first Sierra Trading Post in the region.
Construction of the 24,000-square-foot store in the Howland Commons section of the complex is set to begin in the fall. Opening is targeted for late 2025.
Sierra Trading Post started in 1986 as a catalog company in Reno, Nevada, with the first retail store opening in 1990. In 2012 it was acquired by TJX Companies Inc., which also operates T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods, also at the complex.
Youngstown Clothing Company is a local clothing retailer and manufacturer that proclaims pride in its hometown. It will soon open in a 3,500-square-foot store in the mall's east concourse, next to Books-A-Million.
Founded in 2016, the company produces T-shirts, joggers, hats, sweatshirts and accessories.
RIBBON CUTTINGS: A ribbon cutting ceremony was set for Tuesday to market the opening of a new restaurant, OI2 on Niles Cortland Road, Howland.
The family-owned, carry-out only restaurant serves comfort food, from fried fish to burgers and salads.
On Sept. 21, the Hive, 214 Churchill Hubbard Road, Liberty, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting.
The small business will host yoga classes, photography sessions, small business events, networking events, as well as pop-up markets for other local vendors. A podcasting studio is also located inside the space and is available to use for a fee.
The studio is sponsored by THRIVE 10:10, Trumbull County Grief and Loss in Motion and Triunity Cares.
People on
the move
HERTZER NAMED DIRECTOR: Alex Hertzer has been named executive director of the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition by the organization's board of directors. He served in the role on an interim basis for six months.
He replaces former executive director Jessica Borza, who is now managing director of workforce services for The Ohio Manufacturers' Association.
WCBA ASSOCIATE DEAN ENSHRINED: Christina Saenger, associate dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University and 1999 graduate of Barberton High School, has been inducted into the Academic Hall of Fame for Barberton City Schools.
Saenger holds bachelor's in business and organizational communication and an MBA, both from the University of Akron. She earned her doctorate in marketing from Kent State University in 2012.
She worked in the marketing field as a customer service representative, an advertising sales representative, an account executive, a marketing and advertising consultant and as an associate professor of marketing at YSU.
WOMAN SELECTED: Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer, president of MARQUEE, a Youngstown-based strategic communications and special events consultancy, was elected vice president of the Alliance College Alumni Association during the organization's 2024 reunion in August.
Heschmeyer, a Youngstown native, is passionate about preserving the legacy of Alliance College and fostering a vibrant alumni community.
The association was formed in 2001 to unite alumni, faculty and staff of Alliance Academy, Alliance Technical Institute and Alliance College. It is dedicated to hosting reunions, fostering connections, preserving memories and promoting post-secondary education.
BOARD PRESIDENT APPOINTED: Janice Bolchalk has been appointed president of the board of directors for Direction Home of Eastern Ohio.
In the role, she will collaborate with board members from Mahoning, Trumbull, Ashtabula and Columbiana counties to oversee the organization's programs, funding allocations and budgeting.
Before she retired, she worked as safety director for Hubbard, and executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Mahoning Valley and Interfaith Home Maintenance.
With Direction Home, she has served on several committees and boards, including as chairperson of the advisory council.
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