REGION

REGION
Small-business agencyoffers seminar on loans
YOUNGSTOWN -- The U.S. Small Business Administration will hold a free loan seminar for small-business owners from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 10 at the Ohio Small Business Development Center, 241 Federal Plaza West. For reservations, call Pat Veisz at (330) 746-3350.
Bankers league director
SALINEVILLE -- Rick Hull, regional president for Sky Bank, has been named a director of the Ohio Bankers League. He will serve a two-year term in the organization, which provides professional education, collective buying, communications and governmental services for banks.
NATION
Steel imports continuedecline through 2003
WASHINGTON -- Steel imports continued a sharp drop in the final quarter of 2003 as the White House lifted steep tariffs to allow unfettered foreign competition back into the country.
Moreover, American companies imported far fewer foreign-made steel products in 2003 than in the year the tariffs were enacted, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by the U.S. Commerce Department.
During the last three months of 2003, the United States imported 4.9 million tons of steel, compared with 7.8 million in the same quarter a year earlier. For the year in 2003, 20.9 million tons were imported, compared with 29.6 million tons in 2002.
From Vindicator staff and wire reports