TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - A newly released study says the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway maritime industry supports 227,000 jobs and generates billions of dollars in wages, tax revenue and purchases.

The industry-funded analysis released Tuesday describes shipping in the region as essential to the economy.

Collister Johnson of the U.S. St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. says the industry provides waterfront jobs like piloting vessels and working at terminals. But it also supports steelworkers, miners, grain farmers and construction workers.

Some have questioned the wisdom of allowing ocean vessels to enter the Great Lakes because their ballast discharges have deposited invasive species such as zebra mussels and quagga mussels into the waters.

David Zak is vice-president of the Springfield Improvement Corporation, which is part of the chamber of commerce. His colleague at the chamber, John Detrick, says Zak has been vital in the city's economic growth spurt. He points to a gift company Zak helped lure to Springfield as an example of how he can relate well to the business community.

“He did this with thirty one gifts a company that is going to be growing to a thousand jobs. We are fortunate to be able to attract them to Springfield,” says Detrick.

Zak will head the Ohio Department of Development's business division, and focus on putting together incentive packages to help businesses grow in Ohio.

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Applicants are moving a step closer to landing work as card dealers at two of Ohio's new casinos, now conducting interviews.

The casino coming to Toledo started bringing in hopefuls this week for group interviews even as its website continues to accept applications. The Hollywood Casino Toledo opening next year is looking to hire up to 500 dealers for blackjack and other table games.

The Blade newspaper reports the casino has heard from more than 2,300 prospects since people could begin applying on Sept. 30.

State lawmakers have joined an aircraft maintenance company in southwest Ohio to announce the addition of more than 250 jobs.

A spokesman for Ohio Gov. John Kasich said Tuesday that the additional maintenance jobs at Airbourne Maintenance and Engineering Services were helped by about $14.6 million in state money. The funds were awarded to the Clinton County Port Authority, which has invested roughly $15.7 million in bringing the new employees to Airbourne Maintenance and keeping almost 400 workers from leaving Ohio.

Spokesman Rob Nichols said the state was competing with Florida and Kentucky over the jobs. He said the jobs pay $22 per hour.

Operating out of Wilmington, Airbourne Maintenance and Engineering Services updates, services and repairs airplanes.

NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio (AP) - Construction is expected to start this month on a northeast Ohio facility that would turn sewage sludge into vehicle fuel by producing compressed natural gas.

The Akron Beacon Journal  reports local officials and the Ohio Environmental Protect Agency have approved the $4.5 million anaerobic digester in New Franklin, south of Akron. The process uses bacteria that don't need oxygen to consume sludge and yield a burnable gas that can fuel specially converted vehicles.

The facility will be operated by a subsidiary of Cleveland-based Quasar Energy Group, which has digesters in Columbus, Wooster and Zanesvillethat produce natural gas and one in Akron that produces electricity.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A small-business group opposed to the health care overhaul is asking the Supreme Court to strike down the entire law, not just the core requirement to buy health insurance or pay a penalty.

The National Federation of Independent Business is filing an appeal Wednesday of a portion of the ruling by the federal appeals court in Atlanta that struck down the individual insurance requirement.

The appeals court upheld the rest of the law, an outcome the group says is bad for business. The law extends coverage to an additional 30 million people, many through subsidies to purchase private insurance and through an expansion of Medicaid.