REGION

REGION
State releases figureson Mercer Co. job losses
SHARON, Pa. -- The manufacturing industry in Mercer County has lost 2,200 jobs since 2000, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & amp; Industry.
Goods producers trimmed their payrolls by 1,000 jobs over the last year and all of that loss was concentrated in the factory sector, the state said in a monthly report on employment rates in the county. The period of job loss was from 2000 through 2003, the state said.
Statistics showed the county had 10,500 employed in goods-producing industries in February 2003 with 9,300 of them specifically working in manufacturing. Those numbers slipped to a total of 9,500 in goods-producing jobs in February 2004, with 8,300 of them specifically in manufacturing.
The county had 53,700 people working in all sectors in February 2004. That's down 1,300 from the same time a year ago.
Rainbow Rentals plansvote on acquisition
CANFIELD -- Rainbow Rentals shareholders will meet May 12 to vote on a planned acquisition of the company by Rent-A-Center. As announced Feb. 4, Rent-A-Center has offered $16 for each of Rainbow's shares. Rainbow said it will mail proxy statements about the special meeting next Wednesday.
Rainbow, which is based in Canfield, is the nation's No. 4 rent-to-own chain, while Rent-A-Center is the nation's largest.
Omni West open house
AUSTINTOWN -- Omni West Assisted Living, 3259 Vestal Road, will hold an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. April 18 to show its newly remodeled rooms.
Renovations in the 24 rooms include new bathrooms with step-in showers, sinks, lighting and accessories. In the living space, there is new carpet, paint and a privacy wall. Kitchenettes also have been improved.
Omni West Assisted Living is owned and operated by Windsor House.
Deadline looms forOhio coke plant permits
TOLEDO -- The state is moving quickly on getting permits finalized for a new $200 million-plus coke plant before tougher smog regulations are put in place by federal environmental regulators.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is working under a tight deadline because the regulations are about to change, said Dina Pierce, an agency spokeswoman. Tougher regional ozone regulations are expected to take effect soon.
The plant is expected to employ 150 people and would be built in Toledo near where the Maumee River flows into Lake Erie.
From Vindicator staff and wire reports