BUSINESS DIGEST || Study shows decrease in construction

Drop in construction

YOUNGSTOWN

A study recently released by BuildZoom, the data-driven marketplace for remodeling and construction services, shows that metro Youngstown’s rate of expansion decreased 86.1 percent since 1970 compared with a 15.3 percent decrease across the nation, making it the 15th-slowest expanding metropolitan area in the U.S. during the period.

The full report is available on BuildZoom and contains maps and charts that illustrate metro Youngstown’s expansion and help compare it with the rest of the country: buildzoom.com/blog/cities-expansion-slowing.

First Niles reports income decrease

NILES

First Niles Financial Inc., the holding company for Home Federal Savings and Loan Association of Niles, on Monday reported results for the three-month period ending March 31.

The company recorded net income for the three months of $39,000 compared with net income of $127,000 for the same period in 2015,a decrease of $88,000. Primary earnings per share for the three months was $0.03, compared with $0.11 for the same period in 2015. Nonrecurring noninterest income and a recovery, resulting in a reversal to the provision for loan losses, both resulting from the payoff of a nonaccrual loan, were the primary factors favorably affecting net income in the prior comparative period.

Jameson Health merges with UPMC

NEW CASTLE, PA.

Jameson Health System and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on Sunday merged into the UPMC network. UPMC Jameson now is officially established.

An arbitration decision in January paved the way by which Jameson and UPMC could merge after successful completion of a consent decree addressing the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General’s concerns about the transaction.

UPMC will invest $75 million to develop services and facilities in Lawrence County and provide an additional $10 million dedicated to physician recruitment for expansion of clinical advancements in the region.

The UPMC merger services all of Jameson’s debt, secures all employee pensions and assures that it remains a vibrant acute-care facility offering advanced services.

Starbucks overfills cold drinks with ice, lawsuit claims

CHICAGO

A federal lawsuit claims Starbucks regularly overfills its cold drinks with ice instead of using the advertised amount of coffee or other liquid in its plastic cups.

The lawsuit was filed last week in Chicago on behalf of Stacy Pincus, who accuses Starbucks of misleading consumers. The lawsuit alleges that an iced beverage advertised at 24 ounces contains about 14 ounces of fluid, and that ice isn’t a fluid or beverage.

“A Starbucks customer who orders and pays for a cold drink receives much less than advertised – often nearly half as many fluid ounces,” the lawsuit states, adding that the practice is “by design and corporate practice and procedure.”

Starbucks said the lawsuit is without merit.

Staff/wire reports