A manufacturing company in Springfield has been approved for $800,000 in state funding to add a new facility. The Ohio Job Creation Credit Tax Loan will bring new jobs and $2.7 5 million of investment money to the city.

The company is called Tech II Incorporated. It supplies packaging to most major food companies such as Nestle, ConAgra and Campbells. The company's new facility will be working on technology brought over from Germany that will help packaged food last longer. Vice President of Sales Eric Shifers says the process cannot be found in this part of the world. He says the new location is a perfect fit for his company.

Just after the departure of a well known global company based in Ohio, the state is ratcheting up its sales pitch to a familiar retailer. Ohio Public Radio’s Karen Kasler reports.

1857, the 1870s, the 1890s, 1907, 1914, 1919, 1921: The United States faced widespread joblessness in all of these years, well before the Great Depression, not to mention today's Great Recession. As legislators in Washington prepare to debate another round of stimulus spending, and as unemployment reaches record highs, historian Daniel Amsterdam looks back at how the United States has tackled major spikes in unemployment throughout its history and how American efforts have compared with those of other countries.

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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.