REGION

REGION
Young professionals groupto meet at Avalon Gardens
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mahoning Valley Professional 20/30 Club plans a mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Avalon Gardens on Belmont Avenue. The event is open to members and anyone interested in joining the group, a nonprofit organization for young professionals looking to enhance their careers through social, charitable and educational activities. For more information, contact the group at info@mvp2030club.org.
Bill would expandbusiness zone
YOUNGSTOWN -- A bill that would expand federal Renewal Community zones around the country -- one of which is in the city -- has passed the House of Representatives, said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th. The bill awaits action by the U.S. Senate.
City and business officials have lobbied to expand the zone, which covers the entire downtown and a section of the North Side. The bill would extend the zone to the nearby riverbend industrial area along U.S. Route 422. Businesses in the zone get big federal tax breaks.
ISG completes dealto buy Weirton Steel
CLEVELAND -- International Steel Group Inc. completed a deal Tuesday to buy bankrupt Weirton Steel Corp. for $253 million. In business for just two years, Richfield-based ISG has catapulted to the largest in the industry by buying bankrupt steel companies, cutting costs and producing steel at competitive prices.
From Vindicator staff and wire reports