MONUS FELLOWS NAMED: Six students from the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University will spend summer gaining hands-on entrepreneurial experience through the Nathan H. and Frances T. Monus Entrepreneurship Fellows Program, working directly with startup and growth-stage companies across the region.

The Monus Entrepreneurship Fellows Program connects students with entrepreneurial ventures and innovation-focused employers, allowing them to apply classroom learning to real-world business challenges while building professional experience in fast-paced business environments. The program partners with organizations, including the Youngstown Business Incubator, to support experiential learning opportunities that strengthen the region’s innovation economy.

Students selected for the summer 2026 Monus Entrepreneurship Fellows Program include Dylan Durkos, placed with LeapFast; Matthew Farelli, placed with LeapFast; Tanishka Mangesh Agnihotri, placed with Vitruvian; Ryan Evangelista, placed with Gizmo & Trinket; Caedon Trotter, placed with AROPHA; and Judin Balella, placed with Little Tusk.

Participating companies represent a range of entrepreneurial industries, including technology, branding, product development and workforce innovation.

The fellowship program is designed to provide students with career-related projects that strengthen their academic preparation while helping entrepreneurial companies advance key initiatives and business growth objectives. Fellows work closely with company leaders and entrepreneurial professionals throughout the experience.

Through programs like the Monus Entrepreneurship Fellows Program, WCBA continues expanding opportunities for students to gain professional experience, strengthen employer connections and contribute to the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

COLLABORATION ANNOUNCED: Seamless tubular manufacturer Vallourec announced earlier this month the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Ultra Corpotech Pvt. Ltd., a supplier to major oilfield services companies based in India and the United States.

The implementation is planned for late 2026, with commissioning expected in early 2027.

The collaboration is intended to build a closer and sustainable cooperation to better serve oilfield services customers and partners in India. By establishing a highly efficient and streamlined supply chain, this initiative will offer optimized access to VAM products through certified local production.

The agreement reflects a broader structural transformation of the oil and gas supply chain, as major oilfield services companies continue to rebalance their manufacturing footprint globally. Over the past decade, more than 50% of their manufacturing activities have shifted from North America to the Eastern Hemisphere, including around the Mumbai region, which combines a competitive industrial base with strategic proximity to Middle Eastern markets.

By partnering with Ultra Corpotech Pvt Ltd, Vallourec said in a news release it is able to support this evolution through a capital-efficient model while maintaining the highest quality standards. For Ultra Corpotech Pvt Ltd, the integration of VAM technology through a dedicated Threading Cell provides access to the premium segment while delivering significant gains in operational efficiency and competitiveness.

TRUMBULL EXPANSION: Southwoods Health is expanding access to cardiovascular care in Trumbull County by adding echocardiography to its Howland Imaging center at 9371 E. Market Street, Suite 2.

This noninvasive diagnostic tool uses high-frequency sound waves to capture real-time images of the heart’s valves and chambers, helping doctors monitor cardiovascular conditions and drive preventive care.

“Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States–yet up to 80% of these deaths are preventable,” said Steve Davenport, president of Southwoods Health. “By expanding our cardiology services in Trumbull County, we are continuing to bring critical diagnostic care directly to the community, ensuring residents receive expert, high-quality care closer to home.”

Visit www.SouthwoodsHealth.com/Cardiology/ for more information.

VENTURE GROWS: Sydney Candle Company, a family-owned business in Cortland known for its premium hand-poured soy candles, has celebrated its continued growth and success with a community event recently. The local company that has been crafting quality candles for nearly two decades.

Founded in 2006, Sydney Candle Company began as a father-and-daughter venture and has grown into a nationally recognized brand while remaining committed to its family values and Ohio roots. The company specializes in hand-crafted soy candles made with premium fragrances and cotton wicks for exceptional performance and long-lasting scent.

For more information about Sydney Candle Company and its products, visit www.sydneycandle.com.

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