The president and CEO of Greatbatch, Thomas Hook, got to ring today's opening bell on Wall Street. The Clarence company is celebrating its recently launched corporate identity and brand. Greatbatch divisions make medical devices and wireless sensing technology.
Buffalo has lost 12,500 manufacturing jobs over the past five years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says 92 of the 100 largest markets in the U.S. lost manufacturing jobs. Detroit tops the list, losing nearly 119,000. Houston bucked the trend, adding 21,500 jobs.
Youngstown and Lewiston tell Business First they are seeing an uptick in summer tourism, but Niagara County officials say, overall, this season is slower than they've seen in the past three years. The economy, the weather, border crossing issues, even swine flu and gas prices are all to blame. Some tourism groups are now using Facebook and Twitter to try and make consumers aware that Niagara Falls USA is open for business and you don't need a passport to see the falls.
You can read more in a special report in this week's Business First.
