Black Lab Corporation purchased a building across from its existing Chardon manufacturing facility for the purpose of expansion. The new building will allow for an expansion of product offerings and houses the new corporate offices. The building purchase was made possible by PNC Bank, a “Regional 166” loan through MVEDC and a Geauga Community Development Block Grant.

Lloyd and Linda Yazbek have purchased new Schneider freeform equipment for their business, Central Optical on Southern Boulevard. The equipment purchase was made possible by a loan from Farmers National Bank, and from a Regional “166” loan through MVEDC. The new equipment will increase efficiency in the lens finishing process.

Millwood, Inc. has consolidated its operations to one location, with the acquisition of property at the Trumbull County Airport. The company had been operating from sites in Boardman, Canton and Girard. The land purchase was made possible by PNC Bank, a Regional “166” loan and the Mahoning Valley Industrial Loan Fund (MVILF) through MVEDC.

As a result of the increased drilling activity along the Marcelus Shale, Dearing Compressor is expanding their facilites on Midlothian Boulevard. The 50,000-square-foot, $2.2 million expansion is aided by a Small Business Administration loan, approved by the MVEDC.

McHenry Industries has constructed a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on Victoria Road in Austintown. The wholesale business, established in the Valley in 1964, manufactures signs for some of the country’s largest sign companies. Financing for the new facility was made possible by Huntington Bank and an SBA 504 loan through MVEDC. The expansion is expected to create 25 new jobs.