Business news digest

NATION

Court ruling ensures assets for Delphi retirees

TROY, Mich. — The federal government has obtained court approval to restore $2.2 million in retirement plan assets owed to hourly employees of auto supplier Delphi Corp.

The U.S. Department of Labor said in a statement Monday the settlement approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Court ensures assets are available to pay future retirement benefits for workers.

The settlement resolves a claim brought by the Labor Department in 2006. The department launched an investigation into improperly invested dividends the Troy-based company failed to properly disclose or correct.

First Place Financial Corp. acquires Dublin company

WARREN — First Place Financial Corp. has completed its acquisition of OC Financial in Dublin, Ohio. The deal adds two bank branches in the Columbus and Cleveland areas and gives First Place 45 branches in Ohio and Michigan.

Warren-based First Place also operates two business financial centers in Ohio and 20 loan production offices in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and North Carolina.

Dominion gas cost to rise

CLEVELAND — Dominion East Ohio said customers who buy natural gas from the utility will pay 9 percent more starting July 17. The Standard Service Offer, which is revised monthly to reflect natural gas costs, will be $14.54 per thousand cubic feet, an increase of $1.19.

The new price is 74 percent higher than the price in place last July. Customers also pay a delivery charge of $3 per thousand cubic feet. That charge is the same for all Dominion customers, whether they buy their gas from the utility or a third-party supplier.

Vindicator staff/wire reports