Trade vital to Ohio

First Posted: 3/13/2015

COLUMBUS — Trade is important to jobs in Ohio, as it supports about 1.5 million of them.

“Trade is vital to economic growth and jobs in Ohio and the United States,” according to a statement from Business Roundtable President John Engler. “To help local businesses reach 95 percent of the world’s customers who live outside the United States, we must continue to create new trade opportunities.”

Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs, released statistics about trade, one of which states that international trade supports about 1.5 million jobs in Ohio.

Customers in 210 countries purchase Ohio-made products and services, according to the release.

“To help ensure the best possible outcomes for American workers, businesses and farmers in current and future U.S. trade negotiations, Business Roundtable continues to urge Congress and the President to work together to enact bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority as soon as possible,” according to Engler’s statement.

Airstream selling popular motorhome

JACKSON CENTER — Airstream’s Interstate motorhome is the No. 1 seller of its kind.

“The momentum we have seen over the past three years is incredible,” said Airstream CEO and President Bob Wheeler in a statement. “The collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Airstream combines the best of two iconic and luxurious brands.”

The Interstate is the No. 1-selling Type B diesel motorhome in the U.S. for the third year in a row, according to a release from Airstream.

“Interstate continues to lead sales for all Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based platform models in the class B diesel space,” said Justin Humphreys, VP of Sales for Airstream, in a statment. “In fact, when looking at the market scope data from Stat Surveys, our Interstate van sold 76 percent more than the top class B gas model. Considering our premium position, this success is extraordinary and is a testament to both industry-leading luxury features combined with the industry’s best dealers.”

USDA seeks contractors

LIMA — The United States Department of Agriculture is looking for qualified people with farming knowledge in Ohio.

The Ohio Farm Service Agency needs people with knowledge of field crops and specialty crops to become independent crop loss adjustment contractors, according to a release from the FSA.

The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program is administered by the FSA and exists to offer financial help to eligible producers who have confronted drought, flood, hurricane, or other natural disasters, according to the release.

The adjustment contractors are in charge of conducting field inspections, reading maps and aerial photos, measuring fields and assessing damage or loss.

Adjusters will do fact-finding, record information and send loss information.

Those interested can send a resume and summary of their agriculture background to the FSA State Office, Attention: Christina Piper, 200 North High Street, Room 540, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, by April 3.

Young Professionals host luncheon

LIMA — The Lima Young Professionals group is hosting a professional development luncheon from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The luncheon will feature two speakers, Kevin L. Haver from the Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District, and Dr. Rump from Lost Creek Chiropractic. Haver will speak on the upcoming levy and Rump will talk of John Maxwell’s leadership series.

The event will be hosted at the McElroy Environmental Education Center.