Growing business

Growing business

YOUNGSTOWN

An event that will offer multiple educational sessions to address ways to increase competitive advantage in today’s economically challenging times is co-presented by Crain’s and MAGNET and sponsored by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. Attendees will get an in-depth look at how to grow their businesses.

The event begins at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at the John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St., Akron, with breakfast and a networking event. For more information or to register, visit www.crainscleveland.com/mpower. The cost is $55. Group rates are available.

Reduced rates for compensation

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation board of directors Thursday announced a 9 percent reduction in average workers’ compensation rates for local government employers. The board approved BWC Administrator/Chief Executive Officer Steve Buehrer’s proposal at its meeting Thursday for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2016.

The reduction, combined with decreases implemented during the past five years, will result in a total average decrease to local government rates of 26.5 percent.

Staff reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Alcoa Inc., .129.18—.02

Aqua America, .71 26.26 .26

Avalon Holdings,1.81—.13

Cortland Bancorp, 14.26—.49

Farmers Nat., .128.22 —.08

First Energy, 1.44 30.72.25

Fifth/Third, .5218.84.04

FirstMerit Corp., .6417.82 .14

First Niles Financial, .329.00.00

FNB Corp., .4812.64.10

General Motors, 1.4429.44—.28

General Electric, .9224.91—.23

Huntington Bank, .24 10.32—.04

iHeartMedia Inc., .46 4.75 —.08

JP Morgan Chase, 1.7660.22—.42

Key Corp, .3012.79—.11

LaFarge, 16.66 .07

Macy’s, 1.44 52.08—.77

Parker Hannifin, 2.52 97.91—2.68

PNC, 2.0487.80—.15

Simon Prop. Grp., 6.20181.23—2.27

Stoneridge 11.41 .01

Talmer Bank 15.94—.16

United Comm. Fin., .10 5.13.01

Selected prices from Thursday’s 4 p.m. close.