Regional Business Digest

REGION

Third Frontier executive to speak on tech advances

YOUNGSTOWN — Norm Chagnon, executive director of Ohio’s Third Frontier Project Commission, will discuss the state’s technology development and commercialization programs at noon Thursday in Room 2400 of Youngstown State University’s Moser Hall. The program is sponsored by Advanced Manufacturing Initiative, YSU and Third Thursday, a program of the Youngstown Business Incubator.

Initiated in 2002, the Third Frontier Project is a 10-year, $1.6 billion commitment to expand Ohio’s high-tech research capabilities and promote innovation and company formation that create high-paying, skilled jobs.

For reservations, contact Julie Michael Smith of the Youngstown Business Incubator at jmsmith@ybi.org or (330) 259-7644.

Parts supplier expands into Springfield Twp., Pa.

MERCER, Pa. — Hovis Auto and Truck Supply in Oil City, Pa., has bought the former Born 2 Run site in Springfield Township with the assistance of low-interest loans.

Hovis plans to use the former sports complex near Prime Outlets and Interstate 79 as a warehouse and distribution center. The total project and purchase price is $1.65 million. Penn-Northwest Development Corp. and the Shenango Valley Enterprise Zone Corp. have approved a $250,000 loan at a interest rate of 4 percent, and the Northwest Commission has agreed to lend $200,000, also at 4 percent interest. The balance of the funding includes a bank loan and equity.

Eastern Buffet opens

NILES — Eastern Buffet has opened at 5703 Mines Road. Tony Ke is the owner of the all-you-can-eat restaurant that features Hunan, Szechuan, Cantonese, Japanese and American cuisine. Eastern Buffet offers more than 100 menu items each day.

From Vindicator staff reports