BUSINESS DIGEST

REGION

J.D. Byrider schedules ribbon-cutting ceremony

BOARDMAN — J.D. Byrider will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday at its new location at 7871 Market St., the former location of Frederick Chrysler Dodge Jeep. J.D. Byrider moved its used-car lot from 6534 Market St.

Rob Palmer, the local franchisee, said the new location offers a larger showroom and an on-site service center. He had operated a service center at another location at Meridian Road in Youngstown.

NATION

Research shows time shares still being used

NEW YORK — Vacationers are still using time shares despite high unemployment rates and tighter credit markets, according to industry research.

Prepaid time shares are enjoying an 80 percent occupancy rate, according to Smith Travel Research Inc. That’s little changed from the average of about 82 percent from 2005-08. Still, overall sales of timeshare vacations reflect the national trend of lower consumer spending.

Sales may drop 30 percent this year from 2008, but preliminary 2009 second-quarter research shows that nine out of 10 owners were current on monthly payments, according to the American Resort Development Association, a Washington-based trade group.

Vindicator staff/wire reports