Crain's Cleveland Business articles from July 2006

Crain's Cleveland Business archives from July 2006

Short Takes.(John J. and Sharon D. Ferchill Distinguished Chair goes to Dr. Jay S. Yadav)(Dr. Marc Penn is first director of Earl and Doris Bakken Heart-Brain Institute)(Case Western Reserve University's Center for Health Promotion Research gets contract for Ohio Tobacco Research and Evaluation Center)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... * KEEP OFF TOBACCO ROAD: Case Western Reserve University's Center for Health Promotion Research has been awarded a $450,000 contract to develop the Ohio Tobacco Research and Evaluation Center. The Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Control...

Plumbing groups join to improve customers' perception of union help.(News)
July 3, 2006... Byline: DAVID BENNETT Perhaps the only professions that are disparaged on TV and the Internet more than plumbers are lawyers and used car salesmen. The common wisdom is you can't get a plumber when you need one, and when you do, be...

THE LOCAL TREATMENT; Kinetico co-founder strikes deal keeping company rooted here.(Kinetico has become part of Axel Johnson's Parkson Corp.)
July 3, 2006... Byline: DAVID BENNETT When Bill Prior, co-founder and former chairman of Kinetico Inc., decided 18 months ago to pursue a sale of the maker of water treatment equipment, he found would-be buyers aligning in one of two camps: strategic...

The Week in Quotes.(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... "Some of that equipment has been working 10 times harder than it normally would'' - Michelle McCaskill, spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Materiel Command at Fort Belvoir, Va. Page One "If you were doing business with eight different...

What's New.(liquid injection molding system from Shincor Silicones Inc.)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... COMPANY: Shincor Silicones Inc., Akron PRODUCT: Select-Hesive LIMS Shincor, a U.S. subsidiary of Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. of Japan, used the recent NPE 2006: The International Plastics Showcase trade show in Chicago to unveil its...

The Week: June 26 - July 3.(Honda Motor Co. to build auto assembly plant in southeast Indiana)(University of Akron president Dr. Luis Proenza gets extension)(Interstate Hotels & Resorts acquirs a 15% interest in Residence Inn)
July 3, 2006... Happy Hoosiers, blue Buckeyes: Honda Motor Co. has chosen a 1,700-acre site in southeast Indiana to build its sixth auto assembly plant in North America. Construction on the $550 million project, near Greensburg, will begin this fall. Indiana...

The Big Issue.(public opinion on press rights)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Do you think newspapers are right in reporting about the federal government's efforts to track terrorist organizations through bank records? Tim Wood Cleveland "I don't think the press should be disclosing things that are going...

Clarification.(Correction)(Correction notice)
July 3, 2006... A federal tax lien filed May 9, 2006, against Dante Lucci Salon Inc. did not result from a failure of the business to pay its taxes in full or on time. The tax lien resulted because tax returns filed on behalf of Dante Lucci Salon by the...

READIED FOR SERVICE; Manufacturers at attention to fix overworked military equipment in need of repair.(Clifton Steel Co.)(Argo-Tech Corp.)
July 3, 2006... Byline: DAVID BENNETT A multibillion-dollar repair and replacement program for battle-weary military equipment in Iraq and Afghanistan stands to translate into business for a number of Northeast Ohio manufacturers and suppliers. As...

Money talks.(Opinion)
July 3, 2006... Warren Buffett rocked the world of philanthropy in more ways than one with his announcement last week that he was giving the lion's share of his enormous personal fortune to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The magnitude of Mr. Buffett's...

Summa upgraded by Fitch, Moody's.(Health Care)
July 3, 2006... The Summa Health System has received upgrades to its bond rating status by Fitch Ratings and received a better outlook from Moody's Investors Service. Fitch upgraded to an A- from a BBB+ Summa's $137.8 million in bonds because the hospital...

Ol' Rust Belt finds favor with Honda.(Honda Motor Co. to build assembly plant at an Indiana site)(MAYOR Frank Jackson administration of public school facilities)(Cleveland's baseball teams)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Brian Tucker It would be easy to take a cynical view of comments made by Gov. Bob Taft last week after Honda Motor Co. chose an Indiana site for its newest American assembly plant. But to do so would be a mistake. The governor...

Medical masters; Doctors enter degree programs to boost their knowledge of the industry's business side.(Health Care)
July 3, 2006... Byline: EILEEN BEAL Dr. Ellen Frank was moving up the management ladder at Kaiser Permanente in 1996 when she decided to get a master's degree in business administration from Baldwin-Wallace College. Although the college had an MBA...

Nat City to consolidate charters; Merging banks in seven states will help streamline interstate customer service.
July 3, 2006... Byline: SHAWN A. TURNER The same acquisitions that broadened the geographic reach of National City Corp. and enhanced its revenue stream also left the Cleveland-based financial institution with several out-of-state charters that has made...

Tax-free savings accounts gain steam amid high costs; Health care option often results in lower premiums.(Health Care)
July 3, 2006... Byline: DAVID PRIZINSKY Northeast Ohio companies appear to be slowly warming to the idea of tax-free health savings accounts for employees, a market-based effort to put the brakes on rapidly rising health care costs. Health savings...

A gouda deal; Cleveland blog nets big payday.(JobCentral National Employment Network buys sponsorship rights on Cheezhead)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... File this one under cheesy deals. An Indiana-based online employment network shelled out $7,101 through an eBay auction for exclusive sponsorship rights on Cheezhead, a Cleveland-based blog that focuses on technology in the Internet...

Crain's on the Web.(Emjay Labs planning to boosts sales of Pinxav product)(Marina owners boaters still spending time on their vessels)(Brief article)
July 3, 2006... Mother's little helper * Emjay Labs in Beachwood has been helping to ease the pain felt by babies for several decades. Now, the company is looking to grow sales of its Pinxav product with a sales force of satisfied customers. Read the...

Schools strengthening gerontological studies; Growing aging population causes colleges, universities to up offerings.(Health Care)
July 3, 2006... Byline: EILEEN BEAL According to the latest data from the Ohio Department of Aging, more than 2 million of Ohio's 11.5 million residents are over the age of 60. Many within this growing cohort of silver Buckeyes will need caregivers,...

New assisted-living options aim for niche markets.(Health Care)
July 3, 2006... Byline: EILEEN BEAL A new generation of assisted-living properties is on the rise, with developers nationally changing marketing techniques and placing a greater focus on a higher order of services for residents. Developers jumping on...

Reporters' Notebook; Behind the news with Crain's writers.(The Insider)
July 3, 2006... Think tank doesn't think much of Ohio's tax reform * While many state officials and business leaders have hailed as a major step in tax reform the changes to state tax law approved last year by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Bob...

Future present for Clinic orthopedics; Technologically advanced operating rooms give surgeons, assistants and patients bird's-eye view.(Health Care)
July 3, 2006... Byline: JOEL HAMMOND It's a crowded room, one that initially looks a bit chaotic. There are plasma TV screens mounted from the ceiling, oversize computer monitors on the walls and an X-ray board on one end. Add to the mix technicians,...

Glenn aims to land more outside work; Officials hope boost in non-NASA jobs will supplement center's sagging budget.(News)
July 3, 2006... Byline: BRANDON GLENN In an effort to fight a sagging budget, officials at NASA Glenn Research Center in Brook Park have set their sights on winning work from other government agencies in order to supplement NASA Glenn's revenue stream....

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
July 3, 2006... Many keen on pre-trial malpractice arbitration * I would like to thank Crain's for providing its readers on Page One of its June 12 issue with information regarding Senate Bill 88 - a bill that would establish a pilot program in Northeast...

ON THE JOB.(Carmella Rose Women's Health Foundation)
July 3, 2006... Byline: EILEEN BEAL Carol Santalucia Founder Carmella Rose Women's Health Foundation When her mother was undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer, Carol Santalucia experienced firsthand how difficult it can be to steer your...

Chronic conditions can take their toll on worker productivity.(Health Care)
July 3, 2006... Byline: Neil Quinn From front offices to out in the field, virtual piles of cash are accumulating at companies. This money, which goes mostly unnoticed and often is accepted as the norm, is from lost productivity caused by employees on...

Crain's seeks '40 under 40'.(News)
July 3, 2006... The search is on for members of the 2006 Class of Crain's 40 Under 40. No need to be bashful. Individuals can nominate themselves or someone else for this annual feature, which turns the spotlight on 40 people under the age of 40 who...

Clinic reveals plans for $10M autism center.(News)
July 3, 2006... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND The Cleveland Clinic in October plans to break ground for a new, $10 million building to house programming for its Center for Autism. The 60,000-square-foot, three-floor building will be built next to the...

Late News.(Shaker Heights residential construction plans)(NDI Medical LLC to buy land and construct a research and development center)(Ultra Electronics Audiopack has new president)
July 3, 2006... SHAKER LOOKS AT TAX DEALS TO SPUR GROWTH * Shaker Heights is considering a residential tax abatement for the first time. The East Side suburb wants to encourage construction on the roughly 50 vacant lots in the city and the renovation and...

What gives?
July 10, 2006... We hope this editorial looks silly by the time our readers see it, but we wonder why LeBron James had yet to signal as of late last week whether he intends to accept the Cleveland Cavaliers' generous five-year contract offer, the max it can...

The Week: July 3 - 9.(Royal Ahold N.V. said it plans to sell the 46 Tops supermarkets )(resignation of Alan Rosskamm)(Cedar Fair LP completed its acquisition of Paramount Parks)
July 10, 2006... Our Tops story: Dutch grocer Royal Ahold N.V. said it plans to sell the 46 Tops supermarkets it operates in Northeast Ohio because the company no longer considers the region to be a core part of its market area. The stores employ about 3,800...

Crain's on the Web.(News)
July 10, 2006... From disco to business casual * Since Jeff Riley took over his father's business, Riley's Classic Clothes for Men & Women, the store's suits and styles have changed with the times, but the attention to quality has not. Read the family...

The Week in Quotes.(Letter to the editor)
July 10, 2006... "Leveraging your credibility as a personal brand and expanding that personal relationship onto the Internet has proven successful with every retailer who's taken the Internet seriously.'' - Jeff Taraschi, president, Interactive Group Ltd....

SBA recognizes small business work.(Small Business Administration)(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Jerry and Victoria Stallard, president and vice president of GTS Communications, have been named 2006 Small Business Persons of the Year by the Cleveland district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. GTS Communications is a...

Correction.(Correction notice)
July 10, 2006... A July 3, Page 12 story about health savings accounts misstated the affiliation of Nancy M. Pokorny. She is vice president of member products for the Council of Smaller Enterprises.

Tops on sale: Markets past their prime or plum deal?(sales and earnings of the company)
July 10, 2006... Byline: JOHN BOOTH Tops is on the market, but what's a potential buyer to think of what it would get for its money? In putting its 46 Tops stores in Northeast Ohio up for sale last week, Dutch parent company Royal Ahold N.V. is looking...

Legislature overhauls state's tax code.(Small Business)
July 10, 2006... Byline: David Prizinsky The Ohio Legislature made several changes to the tax code, effective July 1, 2005, including lowering the personal income tax rate, increasing the tax on cigarettes and replacing a temporary sales tax with a...

Hinckley grinders seize niche opportunity.(Performance Point Grinding LLC in Hinckley)
July 10, 2006... Byline: DAVID PRIZINSKY The need to increase productivity in the Northeast Ohio metalworking industry has created a promising niche for 1-year-old Performance Point Grinding LLC in Hinckley, a company that reconditions and extends the life...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
July 10, 2006... Unify Public Sq. to create a cool public space * We are very pleased that the redevelopment of Public Square is receiving renewed interest as a critical element in rejuvenating downtown Cleveland. Further, we applaud the position that the...

Port Authority an alternative source for financing.
July 10, 2006... Byline: Marsha Powers You're in the market to finance construction, land and building acquisition, facility improvements or maybe major capital equipment. You'd like to look at funding sources other than just your bank. Consider...

Going Places.(new appointments and promotions)
July 10, 2006... Job Changes Engineering TEC INC. ENGINEERING & DESIGN: Wendy Turkuc and Peter Jensen to project engineers; Scott Harman and Christopher Bayda to electrical engineers. Finance FIFTH THIRD BANK, NORTH- EASTERN OHIO: Thomas E....

Schools net chance at entrepreneurship grant.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND Seven local liberal arts colleges and universities have been invited to apply for foundation grants to develop entrepreneurship programs in academic areas outside the business school. The Burton D. Morgan...

ROCK SOLID; Sterling Jewelers plans to secure its top spot by bringing its bling to more shoppers online and off.
July 10, 2006... Byline: JOHN BOOTH After climbing to the top of the U.S. jewelry sales mountain, Sterling Jewelers is laying aggressive plans to stay there. Sterling, the Akron-based U.S. arm of Great Britain's Signet Group, is preparing to take...

Cleveland lands major health care event; Conference viewed as signal city's place on investment, innovation map is on the rise.(News)
July 10, 2006... Byline: BRANDON GLENN The investors are coming. For the first time, one of the nation's two leading health care investment conference organizers has chosen Cleveland to host an event. About 400 international health care investors and...

Pittsburgh, St. Louis offer lesson in branding.(Insight)
July 10, 2006... Byline: JOHN BOOTH The Greater Cleveland Marketing Alliance has pointed to Pittsburgh and St. Louis as examples of image building done right. With the alliance planning to name an ad agency next week to lead its own effort to rebrand...

King James to relinquish reign over seven sites; GE Capital to take control of buildings in Independence, Mayfield Hts. and Westlake.
July 10, 2006... Byline: STAN BULLARD Seven more gems are about to be pulled from King James Group's crown, following two others that already have been removed from the real estate company's portfolio. The Westlake-based developer of office buildings...

Wise moves.(Case Western Reserve University)
July 10, 2006... We believe there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors, which is why we also believe officials at Case Western Reserve University are headed down the right path as they work to restore the stability and image of Cleveland's premier institution...

The Big Issue.(public opinion of cigarettes)(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Do you support a 30-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes in Cuyahoga County to fund the arts? Alan Sikon Maple Heights I approve of it as long as they don't raise taxes on my tobacco. (He uses chewing tobacco). The general idea is...

Reporters' Notebook; Behind the news with Crain's writers.(Kent State University to monitor all student-athlete profiles on college networking site Facebook.com)(Katie Marks's decorative arts)(Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland sets up site for interest rate estimation)
July 10, 2006... Kent warns athletes to keep faces clean on Facebook * Online social-networking sites can lead to embarrassing and possibly dangerous situations, so Kent State University has a solution - limit what you post on them or face penalties. ...

Late News.(Medicaid HMO QualChoice plans layoffs.)(Thinsolutions Inc. buys SecureIT Partners Inc.)(Cleveland Clinic to buy Tenet Healthcare Corp.'s interest in the Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Weston, Fla.)
July 10, 2006... CLINIC PLANS TO BUY REST OF FLA. HOSPITAL * The Cleveland Clinic plans to buy out Tenet Healthcare Corp.'s 51% interest in the Cleveland Clinic Hospital in Weston, Fla. Dallas-based Tenet also intends to sell 10 other hospitals to help...

ENERGY TO SPARE; Panel systems maker's planned move to Cleveland born out of heavy demand for products' high efficiency.(News)
July 10, 2006... Byline: DAVID BENNETT Inside the cavernous Terex Building on Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn, workers last week were forming polystyrene panels earmarked for a home development in Texas. In the middle of the activity, Joe Gallo, president...

Include your health care company in Crain's directory.(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... Crain's Cleveland Business on Sept. 4 will publish its ninth Health Care Directory. If your company or organization has never submitted information for the directory, please go to www.crainscleveland.com/listing and complete the form. The...

Just call it faith in entrepreneurship.(Opinion)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Brian Tucker We've read news reports about failures in the charter schools movement in Ohio, so it's refreshing to note one that, in its infancy, seems to be hitting on all cylinders. John Zitzner, a successful software...

Short Takes.(Small Business Conference)(Milano Monuments to donate baby markers)($79.6 billion federal prime contracts to small businesses in 2005)
July 10, 2006... * SMALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE: The Council of Smaller Enterprises will hold its 2006 Small Business Conference Oct. 12-13 at the International Exposition Center. Two keynote speakers for the event will be Terry Jones, founder of Travelocity.com,...

Caution key to avoiding trouble with competitors' employees, practices.(Small Business)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Ron Kopp, Aretta Bernard As an officer or owner of a company, you interview an applicant for a sales management position. Though once employed by a competitor, the applicant has had two jobs since leaving that competitor. You ask...

Ceiling adjusted on manufacturers' production deduction.(Small Business)
July 10, 2006... Byline: Carl Grassi Both Congress and the IRS have been busy in the last month making changes to the domestic production activities deduction, which provides a significant tax benefit to U.S.-based manufacturers. Not surprisingly,...

GRAND OPENINGS.(Small Business)(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... CLEVER CHEF WORKS 5850 Darrow Road Hudson 44236 www.cleverchefworks.com Clever Chef Works offers customers several ways to take home pre-assembled meals. Customers can put together their own meals in Clever Chef's gourmet...

TAXING TIMES; As the state phases in revisions to its code, manufacturers and analysts have mixed opinions on the commercial activity tax.(Small Business)
July 10, 2006... Byline: DAVID PRIZINSKY One year after Ohio lawmakers began phasing in changes to the state tax code, some small manufacturers say their tax burden has been eased and it's a little less difficult to compete in the global market and...

What's New.(The Insider)(Brief article)
July 10, 2006... COMPANY: Magic American, Bedford Heights PRODUCT: Magic Anti-Static E-Screen Wipes The company, which makes cleaning solutions (such as the invaluable Goo Gone) for specific household chores, has introduced a product designed to clean...

THE INTERVIEW.
July 10, 2006... Byline: SHARON SCHNALL Steve Marks President, owner and founder Bix of Beachwood Eighteen years in banking and finance made Steve Marks, 44, an expert in customer derivatives, fixed-income trading and convertible arbitrage....

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
July 17, 2006... Hospitals misspend money * I read with interest the Page One article in your May 26 issue about the expansion plans of the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. These medical giants are focusing on competition rather than providing...

Fee-only investment firms report growing client base.(Special Report)
July 17, 2006... Byline: SHAWN A. TURNER Investment firms around Northeast Ohio that work on a fee basis rather than on commission say they have seen their assets under management and revenues post strong increases of late. And at least a portion of...

Local banks boosting lending biz, study shows; Improved underwriting practices helping institutions avoid making many bad debts.(Special Report)
July 17, 2006... Byline: SHAWN A. TURNER Local banks appear to be doing a good job of growing their respective lending businesses while at the same time avoiding making bad loans, according to a recent study from investment bank Ryan Beck & Co. ...

Office market outlook optimistic; Local real estate brokers detecting changes in area absorption, vacancy rate.
July 17, 2006... Byline: STAN BULLARD A dose of optimism is wafting through the community of Cleveland-area real estate brokers and building owners about the local office market's improved level of activity. Count Leah Kukulka, an office sales...

MAKING LeBRAND; Sports star's hometown event focuses on taking LeBron's image worldwide.
July 17, 2006... Byline: JOHN BOOTH How do four guys and their startup marketing company get big-shot executives from Microsoft, Nike and Coke to spend a couple days in Akron? For starters, it helps if one of them is LeBron James. LRMR Marketing,...

Verizon puts out call for telephone line buyers.(News)
July 17, 2006... Byline: JAY MILLER Verizon Communications Inc. has the for-sale sign up on its 852,000 telephone lines in Ohio. Company spokesman Bill Kula, confirming reports in business media including The Wall Street Journal, said Verizon "has had...

Legislators extend limit for tax credit program for tech company angels.(Special Report)
July 17, 2006... Byline: BRANDON GLENN A fairly obscure tax credit program that has helped Ohio tech companies raise $78 million in investment financing since its inception 10 years ago has been given a financial boost. The Technology Investment Tax...

The Week: July 10 - 16.(National City is buying Harbor Florida Bancshares.)(Forest City Enterprises Inc. to build a shopping center in suburban Chicago.)(Wastequip Inc. of Beachwood bought Pioneer Cover-All.)
July 17, 2006... The big story: It was a busy week in the executive suites of National City Corp. The Cleveland-based bank announced July 10 that it is considering strategic alternatives, including a possible sale, for its First Franklin unit, which originates...

Reporters' Notebook; Behind the news with Crain's writers.(Jack Kleinhenz and his wife Karen have joined Van Cleef Asset Management Inc. in Beachwood.)(Glenn Hasek has launched Green Lodging News to promote eco-friendly products among hotel owners.)(Cleveland Indians are the 11th most popular team in Major League Baseball.)
July 17, 2006... From managing children to managing assets, together * Economist Jack Kleinhenz and his wife Karen, a 25-year KeyCorp veteran, have joined forces at Van Cleef Asset Management Inc. in Beachwood. The couple began working at Van Cleef, a...

Curtain call; Beachwood biz provides fabric barriers for pulse laser protection needed in the health care, manufacturing industries.(News)
July 17, 2006... Byline: DAVID BENNETT Everything about K Design Associates in Beachwood is comfortable, from the patterns on the walls of window dressings that carry such names as Confections, Essence and Providence, to owner Barbara Krantz, who looks...

Going Places.(People)
July 17, 2006... JOB CHANGES ARCHITECTURE HWH ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS PLANNERS INC.: Lester Dunn to vice president. CONSTRUCTION G. STEPHENS INC.: Marki Johnson to manager, Cleveland operations. EDUCATION CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE:...

Dollar Bank doling out home equity lines to job seekers.(Special Report)
July 17, 2006... Byline: SHAWN A. TURNER Dollar Bank, after prodding from Szarka Financial Management in North Olmsted, has taken the unusual step of offering home equity lines of credit to unemployed individuals with whom it has no previous banking...

City leadership groups merge, will collaborate; Four programs aim to save money, provide better programming by joining together.(News)
July 17, 2006... Byline: JAY MILLER Money talks, and four Cleveland leadership programs have listened. Waning financial support, a changing corporate landscape and staff turnover are the catalysts for the merger of four area leadership development...

Artful move.(Opinion)
July 17, 2006... Cleveland needs every competitive edge it can get to attract and retain businesses and talented people. One of our best assets as the world moves to a knowledge-based economy that demands creativity is the arts and cultural community in the...

What's new.(new infrared thermometer from Ridge Tool Co.)(Brief article)
July 17, 2006... COMPANY: Ridge Tool Co., Elyria PRODUCT: Ridgid MicroRay IR-100 thermometer Ridge Tool says its new infrared thermometer provides fast, accurate temperature readings without users having to contact the object being measured. Users...

U. of Akron, nanotech biz pair to produce drug patch.(University of Akron)(licensing agreements for method of preserving a biological drug)(Brief article)
July 17, 2006... Byline: BRANDON GLENN The University of Akron Research Foundation has licensed patented drug preservation technology to a Massachusetts-based medical device and nanotechnology company. Under the agreement, Apogee Technology Inc. has...

(SOME) SHOWS MUST GO ON; Cleveland concert scene lacking typical punch as big-name acts land elsewhere in Midwest, others pique less interest.(News)
July 17, 2006... Byline: JON BUTLER The summer concert cavalcade is in full swing across the nation, but with many top acts skipping town and slow sales for booked events, local promoters acknowledge they're having a lackluster season at the box office....

Crain's on the Web.(www.CrainsCleveland.com/family)(www.CrainsCleveland.com/daily)(Crains Cleveland Business)(Brief article)
July 17, 2006... Passing the hat * From porkpies to chapeaus, The Hatterie of Akron has a variety of accouterments for your noggin. The 98-year-old, third-generation family business has made a move away from the old Rolling Acres Mall and hopes customers...

Late News.(Mid-America Development Partners of Oak Brook acquires Courtyard by Marriott)(University Hospitals Health System opens a new medical center)(Summa Health System opes a new care unit)
July 17, 2006... LOAN PROGRAM TARGETS STATE'S AUTO SUPPLIERS * The Ohio Department of Development is mounting a push to grow the state's auto parts makers. Lt. Gov. Bruce Johnson last week announced a new program of no-interest loans for investments by the...

Short Takes.(Special Report)
July 17, 2006... * CREDIT UNION MERGER: Menorah Federal Credit Union will merge with Century Federal Credit Union on Aug. 1. Menorah Federal Credit Union, located in Lyndhurst, has served Cleveland's East Side Jewish community for more than 40 years....

CLASH OF THE CASH; Bankers' association throws punch as Congress weighs new legislation to relax federal restrictions on credit unions.(Special Report)
July 17, 2006... Byline: SHAWN A. TURNER With a bill working its way through Congress that would relax federal restrictions on credit unions, the ongoing feud between banks and their archrival credit unions has been ratcheted up yet another level. The...

Retail display maker expanding into second site.(News)
July 17, 2006... Byline: JAY MILLER Warwick Products Co., a West Side maker of point-of-purchase displays for retail, is nearly doubling its space after moving into the city of Cleveland three years ago. Warwick is purchasing a 70,000-square-foot...

Growing Solon firm set on being king of snack industry.(News)
July 17, 2006... Byline: JAY MILLER While the swap of hot meals for nuts and other snack foods has been a sign of the strife that has hit the airline industry, it's been a boon for King Nut Co. of Solon. The company has been on a jet-paced growth spurt...

Ohio officials drafting legislation to welcome captive insurance biz.(Special Report)
July 17, 2006... Byline: JERRY GEISEL Ohio could be the nation's next captive insurance domicile. The Ohio Department of Insurance is drafting legislation, based on other domestic domicile statutes, to allow for the establishment of captive insurance...

The week in quotes.(News)(Quotation)
July 17, 2006... "In 2004, there was a little life. In 2005, there was a little more life. Now there's good activity, and it's everywhere.'' - Warren Morris, partner, Colliers Ostendorf-Morris Co. Page One "The only thing you can truly count on from a...