Drilling permits

Drilling permits

YOUNGSTOWN

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources issued three horizontal-drilling permits for the week ending Aug. 1, none in the Mahoning Valley. The rig count is at 20. ODNR lists a total 1,982 permits, 1,564 of which are reported drilled with 927 producing. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued no permits in Lawrence and Mercer counties last week.

Economic report

YOUNGSTOWN

PNC Bank has released its latest regional economic report for Northeast Ohio. The report highlights changes in employment, income, housing and demographics.

A boost in consumer spending has been noticed in the region. The payroll employment is down about 3 percent from its pre-recession peak, and the jobless rate continues to decline. Average hourly wages have declined recently as gains in lower-wage service jobs outpaced those in better-paying goods production.

The housing market is expected to improve slightly as home sales, permitting and prices rise at moderate rates.

Allegiant statistics

LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co. reported preliminary passenger traffic results for July 2015 on Thursday.

The company saw a 25.7 percent increase in passengers year over year; a 21.9 percent increase in revenue passenger miles; and a 29.5 percent increase in departures.

Grand opening event

NILES

Johnny K’s Powersports will have a two-day grand- opening event at the Niles location, 430 Youngstown-Warren Road, next Friday and Aug. 15.

Johnny K’s offers both new and used powersports machines, including parts, accessories and apparel along with Johnny K’s Indian Motorcycle of Youngstown, located next to the Niles showroom.

More information on the grand opening and other upcoming events can be found at JohnnyKsPowersports.com.

Pennex expansion

LEETONIA

Ohio Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor will speak at Pennex Aluminum Co.’s ribbon-cutting for the $38 million expansion at the Leetonia production facility on Commerce Avenue.

Others in attendance will be: Dave Riebe, president, Pennex Aluminum Co.; Mike Lefton, chairman and chief executive officer, Metal Exchange Corp.; Rick Merluzzi, president of manufacturing, Metal Exchange Corp.; and Robert Mehno, superintendent, Leetonia Exempted Village School District.

More apply for aid

WASHINGTON

Slightly more Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, but their numbers remain near historic lows in a sign that the job market is healthy.

The Labor Department said Thursday that applications for jobless aid rose 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 270,000. The four-week average, a less-volatile measure, dropped 6,500 to 268,250. That average has fallen nearly 10 percent over the past year, close to levels last seen in 2000.

Staff/wire reports