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Government Affairs Team Visits D.C. to Advocate Akron
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 | | Congressman Jim Renacci; Rick Rebadow; Megann Eberhart; Chris Burnham, Development Finance Authority of Summit County; Congressman David Joyce. |
The Chamber, represented by Rick Rebadow and Megann Eberhart, recently travelled to Washington, D.C., with Chamber partner and investor, the Development Finance Authority of Summit County, represented by Chris Burnham. The group met with staff of local members of Congress, advocating for economic development resources in our community. They and local elected officials from Northeast Ohio also attended a special reception with Congressmen Renacci and Joyce. |
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New Business Dedicated in East Akron
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The Akron Health Mart Pharmacy opened in East Akron with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included officials of the Chamber, Akron Public Schools, City of Akron and Charter One Bank and pharmacy owner Sherif Mankaryous. Located in Middlebury Marketplace along East Exchange Street, the new business will occupy the last available retail space in the commercial plaza, create 12 jobs and bring medical attention to an underserved urban neighborhood. |
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Medicaid Expansion Encouraged
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This spring the Chamber recommended to state leaders that Ohio enact reasonable Medicaid expansion. The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) calls for all citizens in the country to obtain health insurance, such as individual insurance through a state exchange, employer plan coverage or government program coverage (Medicare or Medicaid). Penalties are in place for employers who do not offer health insurance to their employees.
With the Medicaid expansion option, states can insure individuals who are living at up to 138% of the federal poverty line. The federal government is offering to cover 100% of the cost expansion for the first 10 years of the program and 90% after that. If Ohio does not choose to expand its Medicaid program,the federal dollars funded by tax-payers will go to other states.
Without expansion, small businesses that do not offer insurance to their employees may be more liable for fines.
A coalition of supporters in the Akron/Canton area, including the Chamber, launched an information campaign about the consequences of not expanding Medicaid. To learn more, visit http://medicaidhelps.com. Email Megann Eberhart or call (330) 237-1262 for more on this issue.
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Southwest Airlines and AirTran at Akron-Canton Airport
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The merger between Southwest Airlines and AirTran was officially completed in March; however, the two are still operating as separate carriers. Connecting the networks gives passengers the convenience of buying both Southwest and AirTran flights in one itinerary through any Southwest or AirTran booking channel.
CAK has maintained the lowest average airfare in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Indiana for more than a decade. The successful integration of Southwest Airlines and AirTran will continue to keep fares low at CAK. This integration will take place at the airport over the next 18 months.
Here are a few things to know about flying Southwest through CAK:
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Southwest.com is the only booking portal for Southwest Airlines. Flights cannot be booked at Travelocity, Expedia, Cheap Tickets, Kayak or any other source.
- Boarding Southwest flights is different than other carriers but extremely efficient. Customers choose their own seat, and there are programs to ensure that business customers are first to board the aircraft. For a video on boarding tips, click here.
- AirTran currently offers nonstop flights to New York (LGA), Boston, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa and Ft. Myers.
- Southwest is trying to keep Chicago Midway flights, and local corporations that direct travel to this airport through CAK and Southwest will help demonstrate a demand for regular flights here.
- Bags fly for free when your AirTran or Southwest flight is booked at Southwest.com.
All information about Southwest and its merger with AirTran is available at Southwest.com. For more about Akron-Canton Airport, go to AkronCantonAirport.com.
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Manufacturing Mart Comes to Akron
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Tom Guevarra, U.S. Economic Development Administration; Sam DeShazior, City of Akron; Mary Kaye Denning,
Manufacturing Mart.
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The Greater Akron Chamber, along with partners from the City of Akron and the Greater Akron Supplier Diversity Conference Committee, exhibited at the recent Manufacturing Mart trade show at the John S. Knight Center. The show, previously held in Cleveland, was a matchmaking event to give manufacturing and supply chain companies a venue to learn about new business opportunities and generate qualified leads. More than 40 exhibitors and 400 attendees from Northeast Ohio participated. The exhibiting companies included nationally recognized industry experts in manufacturing (especially the biomedical and oil/gas industries), best management practices, marketing methods and production techniques. The conference also featured a supply chain managers' panel discussion and reception, with purchasing agent panelists from GOJO Industries, Swagelok, Automated Packaging Systems, ViewRay and Elyria Hodge Foundries. "Manufacturing remains one of the cornerstones of our economy and B2B events like this are a way to strengthen this important industry cluster,"said Gregg Cramer, vice president for economic development with the Greater Akron Chamber. |
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Economic Development Correspondents
Robert Y. Bowman, Deputy Mayor, City of Akron
Samuel D. DeShazior, Deputy Director, City of Akron
Stephen Kidder, President, German Link, Inc.
Richard F. Rebadow, Executive Vice President, Greater Akron Chamber
Gregg P. Cramer, Vice President, Economic Development, Greater Akron Chamber
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