Ohio exports hit record $52.1 billion

February 27, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The U.S. Department of Commerce released Ohio’s export numbers Thursday that showed merchandise exports hit a record $52.1 billion in 2014.

Ohio’s exports in 2014 helped the U.S. achieve a record high of $2.35 trillion for goods and services exports.

Goods exports from Ohio supported an estimated 259,000 American jobs in 2013, contributing to the 11.3 million jobs nationwide that were supported by both goods and services exports that year. On average, jobs in these export-related industries pay up to 18 percent more than nonexport- related industries.

Unemployment compensation

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning County saw an increase in unemployment compensation claims during the week ending Sunday, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ compensation data released Thursday.

Mahoning County had 303 initial claims in that week and 2,153 continued claims. The previous week, ending Feb. 14, there were 221 initial claims and 2,140 continued claims.

In Trumbull County, there were 318 initial unemployment compensation claims and 1,955 continued claims made during the week ending Sunday. For the week ending Feb. 14, there were 196 initial claims and 1,947 continued claims in the county.

Columbiana had 148 initial compensation claims made during the week ending Sunday, and there were 872 claims continued. For the week ending Feb. 14, there were 110 initial claims made and 826 continued claims in the county.

Rebuilt convenience store in Austintown

AUSTINTOWN

Certified Oil Co. announced the opening of the newly rebuilt convenience store at 825 N. Canfield-Niles Road.

The store features an expanded food-service section that will include ready-to-eat sandwiches, pizza, fountain beverages and frozen beverages.

The store, which will be branded and distribute Sunoco fuels, also will have more fuel pumps.

Chrysler recalls midsize sedans

DETROIT

Fiat Chrysler is recalling nearly 26,000 midsize cars in North America to fix automatic transmissions that might not shift into park.

The recall covers the Chrysler 200 with V-6 engines from the 2015 model year. The company said manufacturing problems at a parts supplier’s factory can cause the nine-speed transmissions to malfunction. Cars could roll away unexpectedly if the transmissions won’t shift into park. Also, the shifter might show that the car is in park when it it’s in another gear.

The company said Thursday that owners should activate the parking brake before shutting off the engine, until repairs can be made.

Chrysler said it has five customer complaints about the problem, but it knows of no crashes or injuries.

Vindicator staff/wire reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Aqua America, .61, 26.29 —.16

Avalon Holdings,3.10.00

Clear Channel, .46 19.13 .25

Cortland Bancorp, 15.73.23

Farmers Nat., .127.84 —.08

First Energy, 1.44, 35.63—.22

Fifth/Third, .5219.43.03

FirstMerit Corp., .64,18.35 .09

First Niles Financial, .32,9.15.00

FNB Corp., .48,12.92.07

General Motors, 1.2037.55—.31

General Electric, .88,25.91.00

Huntington Bank, .20, 10.98—.01

JP Morgan Chase, 1.60,61.64.50

Key Corp, .26,14.12—.04

LaFarge, 18.76 —.14

Macy’s, 1.25, 63.56—.02

Parker Hannifin, 1.92, 123.20—.24

PNC, 1.92,92.22—.05

RTI Intl. Metals,27.93—.48

Simon Prop. Grp.,5.20,187.30—3.18

Stoneridge 11.41 .05

Talmer Bank, 14.12.10

United Comm. Fin., .04 5.20.02

Selected prices at 4 p.m. Thursday. Provided by Stifel. Not to be construed as an offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security.