News

General Electric and the University of Dayton have agreed to a leasing deal.

Dayton City leaders hope that a GE plant will help to attract other new high-tech businesses. Officials have estimated as many as 200 jobs could be created. City Commissioners are said to have unanimously approved the deal.

GE's new facility will be in an existing building on land that UD purchased from NCR. Officials said GE will not have to pay property tax for the first 15 years of their lease.

Construction is expected to begin in a month and to open in 2013

Teen drivers may soon have to prove that not only can they parallel park and obey road signs, but that they have basic first aid skills. A bill proposed by Rep. Cheryl Grossman, a Republican of Grove City, would require 16- and 17-year-olds to get certification in CPR and first aid to get their drivers' licenses. Grossman says her research has shown many teens don't know first-aid basics, and she's rather kids learn through a voluntary effort rather than a mandatory class.

After serving four months as the Ohio Development Leader, Jim Leftwich is leaving the position.

Gov. John Kasich's office stated that as Leftwich plans to return to the private sector, Christiane "Chris" Schmenk, general counsel for the Ohio Department of Development, will take over. Schmenk will lead the department's reorganization as the state's economic development efforts are moved to the new nonprofit private corporation JobsOhio. Schmenk will assume the director's role on Aug. 1.

The Ohio Board of Education has named its interim superintendent as state superintendent, after two of the three finalists for the job stepped aside.

Stan Heffner, who was not one of the finalists, was appointed Tuesday. His selection means the board rejected remaining finalist Robert Schiller, a former state superintendent in Michigan and Illinois who works as a Florida education consultant.

Finalist Robert Sommers, Gov. John Kasich's education adviser, withdrew as a candidate in June. Reynoldsburg schools Superintendent Stephen Dackin withdrew on Sunday.

A meeting between RG Properties and Miami Township trustees has resulted in a deal to construct a $9 million retail building at Lyons Road and Ohio 741.

Last night, founder of RG Properties, Randy Gunlock, entered into an executive session with the township officials after they discussed passing a resolution for the construction.