Chamber event

Chamber event

BERLIN CENTER

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber had its first Good Afternoon Berlin Center and Ellsworth event Friday morning.

The event featured officials from both communities, Western Reserve Local Schools and the chamber providing updates on their activities at Mastropietro Winery, 14558 Ellsworth Road.

Koehler appointed CEO of Team NEO

CLEVELAND

William “Bill” R. Koehler has been named chief executive officer for Team NEO, a private-sector economic- development organization that markets Northeast Ohio.

Koehler begins in this role June 15. He is a senior executive with more than two decades of experience in corporate banking. He was responsible for sales teams operating in Cleveland, Canton, Akron and Youngstown for KeyBank.

Most recently, he led KeyBank’s Community Bank as president. Koehler succeeds Thomas A. Waltermire, who retired as CEO of Team NEO on Dec. 31, 2014.

J.C. Penney to hire 540 at Ohio center

COLUMBUS

J.C. Penney plans to add 540 jobs at its customer-care center in central Ohio.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the company plans to hire the employees over the next six months to work at its operations site in Columbus. About 1,250 employees work at the facility.

Officials say the hiring comes in anticipation of a busy back-to-school season and a growing need for online customer service. The company announced in January that it plans to close about 40 stores in 2015 to focus on better-performing stores and to cut costs. It operates 43 stores in Ohio.

MYCAP announces hours for interviews

YOUNGSTOWN

Interview times to participate in the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership’s Workforce Development Class are 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at MYCAP’s office at 1325 Fifth Ave.

During the six-week program, free and open to Mahoning County residents, participants are assisted in making changes necessary to obtain and maintain employment.

All participants are required to complete a background check and drug screen. Graduates may receive financial assistance with employment barriers and 12 months of follow-up with an employment- development specialist. For information, call 330-747-7921, exts. 1190 or 1724.

Unemployment rate in US unchanged

WASHINGTON

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 280,000 in May, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 5.5 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. Job gains occurred in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality and health care. Mining employment continued to decline.

Staff/wire reports