BUSINESS DIGEST ||

Dominion drop

YOUNGSTOWN

Dominion Energy Ohio’s Standard Choice Offer for this month is 3.2 percent lower than the previous month.

Effective Aug. 14, Dominion Energy Ohio’s SCO/SSO rates will be $2.969 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf). The August rates are 9.8 cents, or 3.2 percent, lower than the July rates of $3.067/Mcf. The rates are 34.7 cents, or 13.2 percent, higher than the August 2016 SCO/SSO rates of $2.622/Mcf.

Medicare at 55 Act

WASHINGTON

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown introduced a bill to allow Ohioans between the ages of 55 and 64 buy into Medicare.

“Giving people more quality choices at reasonable prices is something we can all agree on – that’s what letting Ohioans buy into Medicare is all about,” said Brown, a Cleveland Democrat. “This is a simple solution for folks who are 55 and can’t get health care through work, or those who are ready to retire but aren’t yet eligible for Medicare.”

Brown introduced the Medicare at 55 Act on Thursday with seven other Democratic senators. Under the Medicare at 55 Act, an individual between the ages of 55 and 64 who buys into Medicare would receive the same benefits and protections as an individual enrolled under Medicare parts A, B, and D.

New TBEIC VP

WARREN

The Tech Belt Energy Innovation Center Board of Directors expanded its leadership team with the hiring of Rick Stockburger as vice president and chief operating officer.

The creation of this position marks the first full-time executive for TBEIC. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations including program development, entrepreneurial support, planning and execution. Stockburger brings a wealth of experience in entrepreneurial programming, economic development and organizational leadership.

Coal mine deaths up

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

Deaths in U.S. coal mines this year have surged – 10 compared to a record-low eight last year – so the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration has launched a summer initiative to send officials to mines to observe and train new miners, who they say are more vulnerable, on safer working habits.

But the United Mine Workers of America says that effort falls short. The union says federal inspectors making such visits cannot punish mines if they see safety violations.

Factory orders rise

WASHINGTON

The Commerce Departments reports that U.S. factory orders increased 3 percent in June, a solid rebound after declining in May and April. But gains largely came from a massive 131 percent jump in orders for civilian aircraft, a category that can be volatile on a monthly basis.

Excluding the transportation sector that includes aircraft, factory orders slipped 0.2 percent in June. Demand fell for computers and electronic products, but primary metals, machinery and motor vehicles eked out gains.

U.S. manufacturing has been recovering from a slowdown in late 2015 caused by lower energy prices and a strong dollar that made American products more expensive overseas.

Staff/wire reports