LEACH APPOINTED: Lake to River Economic Development named Sarah Leach as its economic development coordinator, the agency announced last week.

In the role, Leach will support the day-to-day work of the economic development team under Vice President of Economic Development Sarah Boyarko.

Leach joined Lake to River in 2025 as the organization’s executive coordinator, where she managed executive administrative operations, supported board communications and helped coordinate key initiatives led by the CEO and leadership team. Her transition into the economic development role reflects both the organization’s growth and her abilities and increasing familiarity with Lake to River’s operations and regional priorities.

“Sarah has been a dependable, detail-oriented presence since joining our team, and she’s developed a strong foundation for this next step,” Boyarko said. “The volume of activity we’re managing calls for more hands on the economic development staff, and Sarah has already shown she can move at the pace this work requires.”

In her new role, Leach will oversee the internal process for responding to real estate inquiries from JobsOhio and directly from consultants and companies looking for buildings or land, acting as the first point of contact.

Leach, a Boardman resident, graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from Youngstown State University.

ROEMER ENHANCES CAPABILITIES: Masury-based Roemer Industries LLC, a manufacturer of custom graphic identification products including metal nameplates, labels, and graphic overlays, has expanded its etching capabilities with the acquisition of two new chemical etchers designed to enhance production capacity.

The new XLi-40 Ferric Chloride Etchers were purchased from Chemcut Co. of State College, Pa. Built for modern manufacturing demands, the etchers boost productivity and flexibility while delivering precision etching on stainless steel, aluminum and brass.

In addition to performance improvements, these state-of-the-art machines are engineered to reduce contamination, minimize water consumption and limit chemical exposure — creating a safer, cleaner and more efficient working environment for operators.

“With this equipment investment, we are strengthening our ability to scale operations and consistently deliver superior quality to our customers,” said Jill Palumbo, Roemer’s chief operating officer. 

This expansion allows Roemer to meet growing demand while setting a higher standard for metal etching performance.

THERAPY POOL UNVEILED: Complete Physical Therapy & Aquatics LLC, 843 N. Main St., Hubbard, will present its new aquatic facility at 10 a.m. Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The facility has been specially designed for therapeutic comfort and performance. Kept at a 90°F, the pool offers a private, supportive environment for recovery and exercise. Therapy sessions will include specialized techniques such as Bad Ragaz, Ai Chi, Halliwick, and BackHab, among others — each tailored to meet unique patient needs and goals.

“It has been a blessed journey opening Complete Physical Therapy & Aquatics,” the business said in a news release. “Water therapy aims to empower movement, healing and physical recovery for many individuals and diagnosis.”

Aquatic therapy provides benefits, including improved muscle relaxation, pain management, balance, circulation and emotional well-being. The buoyancy of the water supports easier movement and reduced joint stress, making it especially helpful for individuals with arthritis, neurological conditions, sports injuries, post-surgical recovery needs or age-related mobility challenges.

To mark the milestone, refreshments will be served and tours available for the community.

For more information,call  330-724‑7644, email CPTA@ptaquatics.net or visit  completeptandaquatics.weebly.com.

KIMBERLY-CLARK FINANCIALS: Kimberly-Clark Corp. recently reported first quarter 2026 results driven by resilient consumer demand for the company’s brands, the introduction of pioneering innovative new products and leveraging sustained, industry-leading productivity.

“Our first quarter results highlight the strength and resilience of the growth engine we’ve built through Powering Care,” said Kimberly-Clark Chairman and CEO Mike Hsu. “We continued to deliver solid volume-plus-mix performance while building share momentum despite continued geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty. We accomplished this by driving consumer-inspired innovation, growing brand love, and executing exceptionally well as a team.

“Simultaneously, we continue to generate meaningful cost savings that reinforce our strong financial foundation and enable us to invest in our exciting future.”

Quarter highlights include:

* Delivered net sales of $4.2 billion, up 2.7%, with organic sales growth of 2.5%.

* Gross margin was 36.8%, adjusted gross margin was 37.9%, down 60 basis points versus the prior year.

Operating profit for the quarter was $753 million, while adjusted operating profit was $732 million, up 3.7% versus the prior year driven by strong productivity savings, lower marketing, research and general expenses reflecting overhead savings, and favorable currency translation.

Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) from continuing operations were $1.70; adjusted EPS from continuing operations were $1.60, down 1.2% versus the prior year.

TORCH AWARDS: The Better Business Bureau, which serves Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties, will present its 2026 Torch Awards for Marketplace Trust at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at The Lake Club, Poland.

The event celebrates BBB Accredited Businesses and leaders that exemplify BBB Standards for Trust.

Being honored are:

Torch Award for Marketplace Trust: Sweet Memories Vintage Tees; Gordon Brothers Water; and Raphael’s School of Beauty Culture.

Torch Award for Civic Leadership: The Canfield Fair board of directors.

Torch Award for Nonprofit Excellence: Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley Inc.

BBB will also award area high school students the Ethics and Integrity Scholarships sponsored by Farmers Trust Company and BBB. Scholarship applications can be found at bbb.org/youngstown.

For table or ticket information, contact BBB at 330.744.7210 or events@youngstown.bbb.org.

NEW ADDITION: The Youngstown Bakehouse, 6005 South Ave., Boardman, marked its grand opening last month with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Owned and operated by Christina Fowler, Youngstown Bakehouse offers a variety of freshly made baked goods and sweet treats.

“At The Bakehouse we’re all about elevated classic flavors served in a calm, relaxed and sophisticated space,” Fowler says on her website, thebakehouseohio.com.

For more information, contact Fowler at youngstownbakehouse@gmail.com.

BIKE CHALLENGE: Eastgate Regional Council of Governments is hosting a Bike Month Commuter Challenge through the Gohio Commute Platform.

During the entire month of May, members of Mahoning and Trumbull counties can log their sustainable commutes for the opportunity to win gift cards and gain access to commute perks. Participate by creating an account on the Gohio Commute App or at gohiocommute.com and logging sustainable commutes to and from work or university. A sustainable commute is any commute where you are not driving alone for example carpooling, biking, walking, scootering, riding public transportation, or using a bikeshare all qualify.

All participants logging a bike trip will be eligible to receive a bike repair kit. All participants logging sustainable commutes throughout the month of May will be eligible to win a gift card in the amounts of $200, $100, $50, & $25. Weekly raffles of $25 gift cards. Gift card fulfillment is through Tango, and winners can select location for where they want the gift card for.

More details about the Bike Month Commuter Challenge can be found at https://gohiocommute.com/#/challenges.

NEW LOCATION: Burlington Stores Inc., a national off-price retailers, opened a new store at The Shops at Boardman Park. 

This is a relocation of the store previously located at  461 Boardman-Poland Road. This will be the 31st store to open in the state.

“Delivering incredible value on brand-name and on-trend merchandise is at the heart of what we do,” said Michael O’Sullivan, CEO, Burlington Stores. “Opening a new, modernized store in Boardman is an exciting step for us as we continue expanding Burlington locations nationwide. We look forward to giving local Boardman customers the chance to explore great savings, find fresh brands, and experience our new and improved store design.”

Those interested in applying for employment should visit BurlingtonStores.jobs. 

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