20160314-NEWS--1-NAT-CCI-CL_-- 3/11/2016 3:23 PM Page 1 VOL. 37, NO. 11 MARCH 14 - 20, 2016 HIGHER ED: Akron Business of Life University fights drop in enrollment P. 4 Fun mail Local companies will send FOCUS: Big Fun you stuff other than bills Owner adjusts to Internet age P. 15 P. 22-23 SOURCE LUNCH CLEVELAND BUSINESS The List John Petures Jr. talks local giving Employee benefit services firms P. 24 P. 27 Avoiding the fall Bankruptcy filings plummeted in 2015, but will the trend continue this year? BY JEREMY NOBILE Mirroring a national trend, Ohio’s commercial and per- sonal bankruptcy filings continued to plunge in 2015, hitting a multi-year low in response to factors in- cluding a generally stronger economy and a prolonged low-interest rate environment. But that could change this year, partic- ularly for corporate filings tied to more unstable industry sectors, like oil and gas, which many businesses in this region are exposed to. According to the American Bank- ruptcy Institute, all filings in the Unit- ed States fell 10% in the 2015 calendar year from 2014. That includes a 14% annual drop in commercial filings and 10% drop for consumers. Those 819,285 commercial and personal bankruptcies filed in calendar year 2015 are the fewest filings logged nationwide SEE BANKRUPTCY, PAGE 12 DANIEL HERTZBERG Global Center out Local donors back to reduce vacancy BY JAY MILLER reach. It has more than 500 offices in 67 countries. Kasich Super PAC
[email protected] Its job will be to lease the remain- @millerjh ing 20,000 feet of vacant space in the four-story building, that, along with Businesses, execs give $1.3 million to New Day for America The Global Center for Health In- the First Merit Convention Center of novation is hiring Colliers Interna- Cleveland, comprise a $465 million BY JAY MILLER according to Federal Elections Com- based gambling operations.