Business briefs

REGION

Local chapter plans its annual conference

YOUNGSTOWN — The Western Reserve chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management will have its annual conference from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 29 at Youngstown State University.

Connie Dieken, an Emmy-award-winning reporter and member of the Radio & Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame, will speak. Jessica Schimpff, human resources manager for Honeywell, will speak on “HR as a Change Agent.”

Registration is required by April 17. Forms are available at www.wrc-shrm.org.

Chamber will issue refunds for CertifiChecks

SHARON, Pa. — The Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce will issue refunds to individuals who have unredeemed CertifiChecks gift certificates that were bought between Oct. 1 and Feb. 26. Dayton, Ohio-based CertifiChecks ceased operations as of Feb. 26 and has filed for bankruptcy.

Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell open law office

EAST PALESTINE — Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, a Youngstown-based law firm, has opened a law office in the location formerly occupied by the Allison & Blasdell law firm.

J. Bradley Allison, who joined HHM in January, will staff the office, which is at 139 N. Market St.

Allison is the law director for the city of East Palestine and a former partner with Allison & Blasdell. That firm dissolved recently as its senior partner, Daniel A. Blasdell, scaled down his private practice to focus on his work as municipal attorney for the city of Columbiana.

NATION

Poll: Several marketers planning to spend more

NEW YORK — Many marketers will be spending more, not less, during these budget-draining economic times, according to a recent survey.

The poll of 650 senior marketers, conducted by the Chief Marketing Officer Council, found that they have upgraded services, lowered prices and improved training rather than making cuts across the board.

Marketers are using the uncertain economy as an excuse to closely monitor sales trends and develop strategies, said Liz Miller, vice president of programs and operations for the CMO Council.

The shift in focus will mean better services and prices for consumers, she said.

Texas ranks highest in job growth, survey says

NEW YORK — There are more business opportunities than you can shake a stick at in Texas, according to Chief Executive magazine’s ranking of best and worst states for job growth.

The Lone Star State came in first, while the magazine said California is the worst state in which to conduct business.

The survey asked 543 chief executive officers to evaluate their states on issues including proximity to resources, regulation, tax policies, education, quality of living and infrastructure.

Chief Executive magazine said Texas is strategically centered and has low taxes. It was followed in the top ranks by North Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee, respectively.

JP Donlon, the magazine’s editor, said the worst states “alienate businesses.” The same states have taken the bottom five spots over the past few years — New York coming in second-worst, followed by Michigan, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Vindicator staff/wire reports