8th grade students at Heir Force Community School learn that life can get expensive. Superior Credit Union and the Ohio State Extension Office brought the "Real Money. Real World." simulation to the school on Thursday. This hands-on resource walks the students through a process of how to budget their money for necessities like insurance, housing, and some fun stuff like entertainment and clothing. Each student is assigned a job with a salary, and it's up to them to figure out how to get what they need and want with the budget they have.

Two Allen County organizations talked Monday about their partnership. The CEOs of the Allen Economic Development Group and the Greater Lima Region spoke to the Lima Rotary Club about what responsibilities each organization has and how they work together. They also talk about working with local governments and the Allen County Port Authority to bring in new companies and help existing companies in the area, which is a multi-step process.

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - On the final day of the Allen County Fair, another auction raised money for local youth. 

It's no secret that the American farm economy is struggling, and Allen County business leaders learned more about that this morning. It was the Lima Allen County Chamber of Commerce's fair edition of Wake, Rattle, and Roll. Speaking today was the executive vice president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. He says that this is the second year of the two largest economic declines in farm income in U.S. history, and the government needs to get a farm bill passed to help stabilize the agri-business economy as we are becoming dependent on others for food.

The Department of Workforce and Small Business Development is encouraging small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses to attend an open house next Wednesday to learn how they can get contract work with the City of Lima. While it is labeled a "Mowing Expo", it will offer resources for these types of entrepreneurs to learn what is needed to get work awarded to them.

More people filed for unemployment in the month of December. According to the Ohio Job and Family Services, all of the unemployment rates for December in our area went up. Allen County has the highest rate for West Central Ohio at 3.7% Mercer County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2.1%. Auglaize is at 2.4%, Putnam at 2.8%, and Hancock at 2.7%.

It was announced today that they are merging with HTM Area Credit Union in Troy. This brings HTM's 3,600 members into the fold with Superior's of nearly 100,000 members. HTM members will gain access to Superior's 23 Ohio branches and superior members will be able to access HTM's Troy location.

The Lima Finance Committee is breaking down the city’s 2023 proposed budget line by line.  Tuesday night, they started their first of three days of budget hearings.   The Mayor’s Office, Utilities, and Lima Municipal Court were just some of the departments on deck for the first night of hearings.  The city is looking good financially heading into the 2023 budget.  They have a carryover of $14 million, which is around 35% of the $45 million estimated budget for this year.  

The Lima Senior DECA Program made a big impact in the community Tuesday Evening. Two student representatives donated a check of $500 to the Marimor Legacy Foundation Tuesday Evening at the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities regular board meeting. Back in September, the Lima Senior DECA students made and sold shirts at the Buddy Walk to help raise the funds. The donated funds will be used for the third phase of the All Ability Playground Project.

Lima City Council held a regular meeting on Monday Night and approved legislation that is part of a new multi-million dollar hotel project in Lima. Council approved the construction of a "Home2 Suites" extended-stay hotel located at South Leonard Avenue in Lima through the support of a 15-year property tax abatement of 50% for the City of Lima, Perry Local Schools, and the Apollo Career Center.