Business Digest | State chooses Cruze

State chooses Cruze

columbus

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, made at the General Motors Lordstown Complex, has found a new home at Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray’s office. Three vehicles from the office’s state travel pool have been replaced with Cruzes. The Lordstown assembly plant, which employs nearly 5,000 workers, began production of the new vehicle in early September. Parts for the Cruze are manufactured in Ohio cities including Defiance, Toledo and Parma.

Leadership change

warren

Joel Ratner, president of The Raymond John Wean Foundation, will leave the organization at the end of 2010 to become president of Neighborhood Progress Inc. in Cleveland. During Ratner’s three-year tenure, the Wean Foundation has shifted its focus, dedicating all of its $4 million in annual giving to nonprofits in the Mahoning Valley. Under Ratner’s leadership, the foundation assisted with the formation of Eastern Gateway Community College, established Neighborhood SUCCESS Grants, helped develop the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative, helped launch the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. and joined in the establishment of the Eastern Ohio P-16 Partnership for Education.

A national search for Ratner’s replacement will begin soon.

Growth alliance

Mercer, pa

The Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce and Penn Northwest Development Corp. have announced the formation of the Mercer County Growth Alliance. The alliance, which will take effect Jan. 1, aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Mercer County’s economic-development efforts. The organization will be governed by a board of directors made up of representatives of the two affiliate organizations. Participants are in the process of identifying a chief executive to lead the alliance.

The Mercer County Industrial Development Authority, Gannon Small Business Development Center, the Northwest Commission, the Shenango Valley Industrial Development Corp. and the Northwest Industrial Resource Center also will play a role in the new organization.

Vindicator staff/wire reports