Area BBB has highest business retention in the state

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Better Business Bureau of the Mahoning Valley ranks first in Ohio for the number of businesses it has retained this year.

The BBB has more than 1,220 businesses throughout the tri-county area that are BBB-accredited businesses.

“We strive to have relationships with our accredited businesses,” said Carol Potter, president and CEO of the BBB.

The high retention rate means “this area’s business community is involved and they care about trust and ethics in the marketplace.”

The BBB also is rated No. 3 in North America for highest retention rate, Potter told those in attendance at Tuesday’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Accredited Businesses at the Covelli Centre.

“That means solidarity,” Potter said. “It helps keep local dollars in our marketplace.”

In addition to working with area businesses, the BBB also takes complaints about issues with businesses and potential scams. This year, it assisted more than 350,000 people through business reviews.

For more information on the BBB, go to www.bbb.org/youngstown/.