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Business development groups are hoping a corner of the Stark County District Library’s main branch can become a hub of entrepreneurship.A section of the second floor has been designated as a co-working space. The Stark Entrepreneurship Alliance, the library and a number of other community groups have partnered to set aside the space for aspiring […]

If you think falling oil prices have affected the local economy, just be glad you’re not trying to run a certain vast country east of Europe. “Russia needs $142-a-barrel oil to balance its budget,” analyst Michael Weidokal told more than 70 people who attended the Going Global event for businesses on Friday at Kent State […]

After more than three years getting off the ground, Impact Angel Fund, an investment group designed to help technology-based startups in Stark County and surrounding areas, is ready to take flight.Chairman Jon Elsasser said the 34-member fund is finalizing due diligence on two technology ventures and hopes to dole out the first chunk of its […]

MANSFIELD, Ohio -- Richland Community Development Group has welcomed a couple of fresh faces to its staff in the new year to help drive economic development locally: Barrett Thomas and Karen Seman.Thomas, a Mansfield resident, has been selected the director of business retention and expansion and Seman of Canton, Michigan, the director of workforce development."We're […]

MANSFIELD, Ohio -- InfoGPS is a local business gaining regional recognition.The software company was one of four small businesses recognized last month by SCORE and the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Kent State University at Stark for its success in starting and growing its firm."It's flattering to see other people respond to what you're […]

SunDown Group, the entrepreneurial organization that grew from SunDown RunDown business pitch events, has added a foundation arm that enables it to apply for grants from Kauffman Foundation, Columbus Foundation and others.The IRS has certified SunDown Foundation as a 501(c)3, a status required by many grant-making organizations. In contrast, the New Albany-based parent can’t apply […]

MANSFIELD - Richland Community Development Group has two new directors to help spur economic development. A director of workforce development and a director of business retention and expansion both were hired as part of the Richland County Foundation’s $1.1 million five-year strategic plan. The positions are funded by the Foundation, Richland County Jobs and Family […]

MANSFIELD, Ohio -- Two employees have been hired to drive economic development locally -- part of the Richland County Foundation’s $1.1 million five-year transformative strategic plan.The Foundation, Richland County Jobs and Family Services and private donors are funding a director of workforce development and a director of business retention and expansion to work for the […]

Four area small businesses received recognition earlier this month at the seventh annual recognition dinner presented by the Canton Regional Chapter of SCORE.The honors were for the success the companies have shown in starting or developing their operations.Each company sought and received free business development advice from SCORE volunteers.Award winners were:• InfoGPS Networks, based in […]

MANSFIELD, Ohio – Mansfield’s entrepreneurial ecosystem hopes to foster more small business development locally.With that goal in mind, Braintree Business Development Center hosted an open house last week at its downtown location for start-up businesses interested in being a part of their cohort.In addition to networking and sampling of local refreshments, Braintree staff explained the […]