Huntington: Car purchases to rise


February 5, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

Huntington: Car purchases to rise

COLUMBUS

Huntington Bank’s third- annual Midwest economic index reveals 16 percent of consumers will purchase a car in 2015.

The response represents a 10 percent increase over definite intent for car purchases in 2014 and is a clear sign of optimism among consumers interviewed in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Dominion grants

CLEVELAND

Nonprofit organizations will share up to $1.2 million through a new environmental- stewardship initiative, sponsored by Dominion Resources, parent company of Dominion East Ohio. The competitive program is designed to support specific, short-term projects that improve the environment.

Organizations in and near the communities served by Dominion can submit applications through March 2, requesting up to $50,000 each.

For complete details and to submit an online application, visit: www.dom.com/corporate/our-commitments/community/charitable-giving-and-the-dominion-foundation/environmental-stewardship-grants-program.

Revised gas rates

CLEVELAND

Effective next Thursday, the standard service offer and the standard choice offer gas rates for Dominion East Ohio will be $3.296 per thousand cubic feet (mcf). The revised rates are 32.3 cents, or 8.9 percent, lower than the January SCO/SSO rates of $3.619 per mcf. The revised rates are $2.861, or 46.5 percent, lower than the February 2014 SCO/SSO rates of $6.157/mcf.

Staples to buy Office Depot for $6B

NEW YORK

Evolving shopping habits have forced yet another retailer to think outside the box.

Staples, the nation’s largest “big box” office-supply chain, announced Wednesday that it’s spending about $6 billion to buy its second-ranked rival, Office Depot.

The acquisition reflects a reversal of fortunes for big-box retailers. Founded in the late 1980s, Staples and Office Depot were among a group of chains led by Wal-Mart that opened thousands of supersized stores during much of the next two decades for shoppers who wanted to buy in bulk.

But shopping patterns changed in recent years as Americans have grown increasingly deal-hungry and comfortable with online shopping.

Vindicator staff/wire reports