REGION

REGION
DeBartolo Groupconsiders buying malls
CLEVELAND -- DeBartolo Property Group of Tampa, Fla., which is owned by Eddie DeBartolo, is considering acquiring the last five malls left in the portfolio of Richard E. Jacobs Group, which is based in suburban Cleveland, Cleveland Business said.
The publication cited an anonymous source as saying DeBartolo officials are looking at whether the acquisition would be good for them. The malls include Westgate Mall in Fairview Park, Eastland Mall in Columbus and three malls in other states.
George Farris, a spokesman for DeBartolo in Boardman, said the company couldn't comment on the report.
Ohio stands to losejob training funds
COLUMBUS -- Federal officials say Ohio stands to lose millions of dollars in federal job training funds because the money hasn't been spent. Federal regulators have written Ohio officials a letter noting that as of September, the state had spent 28 percent of $131.4 million of the money it received in July 2000. The state received an additional $130 million in 2001.
National Fuel seekscut in customer rates
ERIE -- National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. will ask the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to cut its customer rates by 4.3 percent for the period beginning Aug. 1 through July 31, 2003.
Average homeowners who use about 115,000 cubic feet of natural gas a year should see their annual fuel bill decrease from $962.88 to $920.88 if the reduction is approved.
National Fuel has about 214,000 customers in 14 northwestern Pennsylvania counties, including Mercer.
Vindicator staff and wire reports