Five things you need to know today, and your personal favorites
1) CVG hires construction firm for $6M project
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has hired Hebron-based Harper Co. to reconstruct one of its major taxiways. The project will cost nearly $6 million and will include pavement reconstruction and electrical system upgrades. Harper was the only company that bid on the work, Chris Wetterich reports. The airport expects the project to wrap up by the end of the year.
GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY
Find Local Events Near You
Connect with a community of local professionals.
Explore All Events
2) First Financial acquiring out-of-state bank to triple branches there
First Financial will acquire BankFinancial for $148 million, which will triple its Chicago branches to 26 total. Steve Watkins reports the deal will add $1.4 billion in assets to First Financial, which has $18.6 billion in assets and 128 banking centers in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. Prior to the acquisition, First Financial had seven branches in the Chicago area but has been interested in expanding in the market for years.
3) Historic former restaurant, beer garden to be redeveloped
Corryville Community Development Corp. plans to purchase the historic Mecklenburg Gardens building with $1.2 million in tax increment financing funds. The restaurant and beer garden closed in 2023 after 158 years. It has since sat vacant and deteriorating, Brian Planalp reports. Cincinnati City Council will have to approve the use of TIF funds. Upon approval, the Corryville CDC plans to bring an operating restaurant and brewery back to the space after renovations.
Do you like Five Things? Make sure to subscribe to our Morning Edition emails so you have it in your inbox each day.
4) Health system to offshore administrative jobs
Bon Secours Mercy Health is planning to build a support center in the Philippines, expanding its existing presence in the country, but cutting jobs in the U.S. as a part of a new global strategy. The offshored roles will include human resources, finance, supply chain and other administrative functions. The number of jobs impacted is unclear, according to the health system's chief administrative officer, who said it will be a small percentage of its domestic workforce. Mercy Health hopes the move will maximize operational efficiencies.
5) Growth fund with Cincinnati ties raises $238M
O.H.I.O Fund raised $238 million while making 19 investments across the state, two in Greater Cincinnati companies, Watkins reports. Headed by Mike Venerable and Jill Meyer, the fund raised money from more than 106 investors including high-net-worth individuals, institutions and family offices of wealthy individuals, financial institutions, foundations and other corporations.
This day in history
1942: The Manhattan Project commences, marking the start of the large-scale effort to develop an atomic bomb.
What I'm reading
"The Uptown Local" by Cory Leadbeater
What I'm listening to
Chappell Roan's new single "The Subway"
"August" by Flipturn
What I'm watching
"The Summer I Turned Pretty" on Amazon Prime Video
I've also been watching a lot of movies, including newer releases like "Jurassic World: Rebirth," "Freakier Friday," "Happy Gilmore 2," "Final Destination Bloodlines," "Sinners," the live action "Lilo & Stitch" and "Nonnas." I saw most in theaters with only two Netflix exceptions. My AMC Stubs A-List has been put to good use over the last few months.
Your favorite of all time
For the past year, I've felt like I was in the worst music drought ever. I find myself recycling the same playlists, same albums, same artists over and over again. I think I know the words to every song I have ever heard at this point.
We've had a few music conversations in the Courier newsroom, notably around the time when "A Complete Unknown," the Bob Dylan biopic came out and a few editors and reporters declared their dislike for Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and other similar artists. I won't name names to save my colleagues the grief.
I'd say I consume more music than the average listener. I listen to everything. From pop, rock, indie and rap to country, metal, folk, jazz and every sub-genre in between. Looking at my most recent Spotify plays, artists include Lorde, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, St. Vincent, Norah Jones, Mac DeMarco, Doechii, Modern Baseball, Taylor Swift, Turnstile, Steely Dan and Third Eye Blind.
While all of these artists are fabulous, I need new stuff. So my question to you, Business Courier readers, is what is your favorite album of all time? Or, is there an artist or song you have on repeat right now? I'm open to any and all genres from any decade. Email me at lschwartz@bizjournals.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
12 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Sierra Club in turmoil after board fires executive director
The Sierra Club, one of the nation's oldest and most prominent nonprofit environmental groups, was thrown into upheaval this week after its executive director was fired. In an email to staff Monday, Sierra Club President Patrick Murphy said the board of directors had voted unanimously to terminate Ben Jealous after conducting 'an extensive evaluation of his conduct.' Jealous' tenure had been tumultuous. He clashed with staff over sweeping layoffs and faced sharp criticism from ousted high-level employees, volunteers and some notable environmental advocates. They said the Oakland-based organization had stifled differing opinions and had become weakened as the Trump administration rolled back environmental protections. The group's board had placed Jealous on leave in July. Murphy said in the Monday email that the board's decision was 'a difficult but principled one' to 'ensure every individual at the Sierra Club is held equally accountable, with no special treatment or favor for those holding influence and power.' The Sierra Club declined to give specific details on why Jealous, who ran the organization out of Washington, D.C., was fired. Jonathon Berman, a spokesperson for the Sierra Club, said that Jealous had 'engaged in conduct that constitutes cause under his employment agreement.' Berman clarified that the decision had 'nothing whatsoever to do with layoffs' or controversial hiring moves by Jealous. In a statement to The Times, Jealous defended his record, saying he strengthened the organization's finances and achieved a 'progressive union contract.' He said that he would contest the move to fire him, and that he 'remained proud' of what he had accomplished at the Sierra Club. 'It is disheartening, unfortunate, but perhaps not surprising that the board has chosen an adversarial course that the facts so clearly cannot support,' he said in a statement. 'I have begun the process under my contract to fight this decision. I am confident that we will prevail.' Sierra Club had been in the process of negotiating the terms of Jealous' exit, but talks had broken down, leading to the vote to fire the executive, according to a source with information on the board's discussions who was not authorized to comment. Jealous took over the organization in 2023, after it went through a wrenching internal reckoning over the racist views of its founder, John Muir, more than a century ago and allegations of sexual abuse by a former senior employee. Staff members have said they were initially excited about the hiring of Jealous, who voiced support for the union at the beginning of his tenure. But the relationship began to sour when he announced deep cuts to staff and several organizational overhauls, citing a budget deficit. The union publicly accused Jealous of hiring friends for costly management posts and spending lavishly on executive salaries. Laid-off workers said efforts toward environmental justice for communities of color had been unraveled, with community organizations in California's Inland Empire and other areas facing major congestion and pollution feeling betrayed and abandoned. Last June, unionized workers who were poised to strike sent a letter to the Sierra Club's board of directors informing them they had issued a vote of no confidence in the leadership. The Sierra Club had previously defended hiring moves by Jealous, saying it had 'moved quickly to fill those key roles with seasoned leaders.' Jealous told The Times in an interview last year that deep cuts were necessary and that he had been transparent throughout the process. 'These are the hard decisions that you have to make when you lead a more than century-old institution and you're committed to it having a future as long as its past,' Jealous said then. The organization also faced internal scrutiny over the hiring of a senior manager who was registered as a lobbyist for the cryptocurrency firm at the same time he worked at the Sierra Club, which has been politically critical of the polluting effects of the crypto industry and supports tighter regulations. 'The environmental impacts of cryptocurrency mining are well known,' said Dylan Plummer, an elected representative for the Sierra Club's union, which is affiliated with the broader Progressive Workers Union. 'To have hired an active lobbyist for at the highest ranks of our organization is so inappropriate it boggles my mind.' Sierra Club did not respond to a question about the hiring of the lobbyist. Erica Dodt, president of the broader Progressive Workers Union, said in a statement that she hopes Jealous' departure 'will open the door for a stronger relationship between workers and management, and allow the Sierra Club to better focus our efforts on fighting the Trump administration and protecting the environment.' Jealous, who was formerly the chief executive of the NAACP and a 2018 Democratic nominee for governor of Maryland, is Black and was the first person of color to serve at the helm of the organization. Some of his supporters have suggested racism played a role in his firing, which Sierra Club staff members have disputed. 'There are serious racial implications in firing a Black man of Ben's caliber, in this fashion, at a time when diversity is under attack,' civil rights leader Al Sharpton said in a statement to Politico. Some of the turmoil roiling the national organization is mirrored in its California advocacy arm. The state plays an outsize role in the club, home to its headquarters and roughly 134,000 members. Sierra Club California, which is one of the most influential environmental voices in Sacramento, has in recent years seen plummeting membership, dropping by roughly 19% between 2019 and 2024, and revolving leadership — with the group cycling through four leaders in a four-year period. Jason Mark, who served as editor-in-chief of the organization's 'Sierra' magazine for about nine years until December, when he was removed from his leadership post, welcomed Jealous' termination. 'It was sad and demoralizing to watch the Sierra Club under Ben's leadership,' Mark said in an interview. 'Still, I'm convinced the Sierra Club is a vital force of nature and truly an irreplaceable pillar in the American environmental movement.'
Business Upturn
3 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Proper Ecom Opens Done-For-You Amazon Business Program
Hallandale Beach, FL, Aug. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Proper Ecom, a US-based e-commerce operations firm, has rolled out a new program designed for individuals who want to own an e-commerce brand without managing the day-to-day work. The Done-For-You Amazon Business Program is built for those with $85,000 or more to invest. Proper Ecom's team handles everything – from product research to fulfillment – so clients can focus on ownership, not operations. 'We spent years learning how to build great Amazon stores,' said Ohr Fluxman, Founder of Proper Ecom. 'Now, we help individuals own stores that are set up the right way and built to grow. You own the store. Our team does the work.' Clients keep full ownership of their Amazon stores, but they don't need to figure out how to run them. Proper Ecom takes care of everything needed to grow the business and keep it working well. Two Strategic Business Models: Private Label or Wholesale Exclusive Brand Deals The first way is Private Label. This model is to help clients build their own brand. Proper Ecom helps them create products, design packaging, and sell them on Amazon and TikTok Shop. The team also helps with ads and uses Amazon FBA to store and ship products. The second way is Wholesale Exclusive Brand Deals. This model is to help clients sell well-known name-brand products. Proper Ecom sets up special agreements so only the client can sell those items. The team sets up the store, lists the products, and handles everything. In this model, net profits are shared, which is driven by performance. The Proper Ecom Hybrid Approach Proper Ecom takes a hybrid approach. This approach combines these two proven models, giving investors flexibility based on goals and risk level. This differentiates Proper Ecom from its competitors. Most companies focus on one model. Proper Ecom is innovative and uses both models. All this comes with a dashboard that shows how the store and brand are doing. Clients also get regular calls with Proper Ecom to talk about next steps. Key Features and Benefits of the Program: Full Ownership with Transparent Reporting: Clients own the store and get paid every two weeks. They can see sales and profits in real time. Turnkey Business Setup: Proper Ecom sets up the account, finds products, creates listings, and finds suppliers. Access to High-Demand Products: Clients can sell established brand products that people already know and trust while they build their own brand. Fully Managed Operations: Proper Ecom handles ads, shipping, customer questions, and day-to-day work. Built to Grow: The store can add more products and grow over time. The team helps with testing and planning. Built for Long-Term Value and Scalable Exit Each store is made to be its own business. It has a name, a history, and the right setup to grow and even be sold one day. More than an online shop, it's a business built for sustainability and scalability. Proper Ecom helps grow the store by finding new products, getting more deals, and making smart choices based on data. Some clients keep growing their store. Others sell it later. The clients hold all the power to do what is best for them and their family. With a strong team and clear plan, clients get more than a storefront or website, they get a real business that can grow. Program Availability Proper Ecom is now welcoming new clients. Spots are limited to make sure each store gets full attention. Individuals can book a call to learn more and see if the program is a good fit. Learn more at About Proper Ecom Proper Ecom is a company that builds and manages Amazon stores for clients. Since 2018, the team has created successful stores using smart systems for finding products, customer service, shipping items, and growing sales. With two clear models combined into a hybrid approach, private label and wholesale exclusive brand deals, Proper Ecom helps clients own strong online businesses that last. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide financial or investment advice. All investments carry risk. Proper Ecom does not promise any specific results. Outcomes depend on the market and how each store performs. Media Contact Company Name: Proper EcomContact Person: Aaron AndersonContact Number: (855) 952-5707 Email: [email protected] Country: United StatesWebsite: Socials: @properecominvestments
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business Insider
Why Walmart (WMT) is Poised to Validate Its Premium Valuation
The Minneapolis-based retailer Walmart's (WMT) fiscal Q2 earnings are just around the corner, with results expected to be published before market open on Thursday, August 21st. The company is steadily climbing back toward its all-time high of $105 per share, last seen in February, as tariff risks are absorbed and U.S. consumer demand proves strong and resilient. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Momentum remains clearly bullish, with analysts nudging their top- and bottom-line estimates slightly higher over the past month. All signs point to another solid—though not exactly thrilling—quarter for top-line growth. I'm still not a huge fan of Walmart's valuation, especially with free cash flow yields just a bit over 1%, where I think it could be far more compelling. That said, I can't ignore Walmart's impressive cash flow generation. So, I'm still leaning toward a Buy rating, supported by solid economic tailwinds and pricing resilience, with the stock likely to make another run toward those all-time highs. Tariff Absorption and Walmart's Advantage Over the past few months, the rise in U.S. import tariffs has been a key theme supporting Walmart's thesis, given how sensitive the company is to pricing. The relevant concept here is 'tariff absorption,' where exporters choose to absorb some of the tariff costs so they don't lose share in the valuable U.S. market. For Walmart, as a price leader and inflation fighter with around 200 million customers, the chain manages to keep prices low even in inflationary scenarios. Its extensive physical footprint and high customer traffic let it combine scale and convenience, allowing the company to absorb costs much better than smaller competitors. Walmart also has a history of pressuring suppliers to keep prices down. For suppliers, it often makes sense to absorb part of the extra tariff costs to continue selling to Walmart—losing Walmart as a customer would mean giving up huge volumes. That said, CEO Doug McMillon has noted that tariff increases are likely to push prices higher for consumers eventually, and these changes are expected to roll out throughout the second half of 2025. Even so, my take is that Walmart will likely continue benefiting from high import tariffs, with suppliers bearing most of the cost—especially as customers keep buying and reinforcing the company's value proposition. Strong Consumer Demand Should Drive Walmart Forward In addition to tariffs likely being absorbed, another factor supports the idea that Walmart should post amiable numbers for Q2. June and Q2 2025 retail data show that consumer demand remains solid, with retail and food services up 3.9% year-over-year and Q2 sales up 4.1%. Growth is robust in essentials like groceries and food services, while digital retail continues to expand, up 4.5% YoY. This combination of healthy spending creates a bullish backdrop for Walmart's Q2, which should translate into solid same-store sales, steady traffic, and overall earnings momentum. On top of that, the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' of 2025 temporarily doubled the income tax credit for families with children, raising the maximum to $2,500 per child through 2028. The goal is to stimulate consumption, especially among low- and middle-income families. Naturally, this injection of funds tends to benefit retailers like Walmart, which serve this audience and sell essential products. Given these factors, it wouldn't be surprising to see U.S. comp sales growth in Q2 match or even exceed the 4.5% posted in Q1. Additionally, Walmart's net income margin is currently 2.75%, slightly below past levels above 3%, suggesting room for expansion. The company has grown EBIT margins for six consecutive quarters, and the trend is likely to continue in Q2, especially with management expressing confidence in navigating tariff pressures and growing profits faster than sales. Valuations are one of the most sensitive parts of the broader market thesis, with Walmart currently trading at 44x earnings. The market is essentially projecting that the company will double its profits over the next six years if the business continues at its current pace. While this multiple seems high compared to the industry average of 17.5x, a key attraction of the thesis is Walmart's stable cash generation—with free cash flow close to $10 billion over the last twelve months—and sustainable growth, offering both capital protection and upside. Even with a free cash flow yield of just 1.2%, it's reasonable to accept a lower yield in exchange for low volatility and predictability. For context, looking at the options market, the at-the-money straddles closest to expiration after Q2 earnings suggest an expected earnings move of ~4.71%, which is relatively low, especially compared to technology companies that often see double-digit earnings moves. For Walmart, earnings moves typically range between 3% and 6%, depending on the quarter, so current expectations are well within the historical range. Is Walmart a Buy, Hold, or Sell? Analysts have been overwhelmingly bullish on Walmart. All 27 analysts covering the stock via TipRanks are expecting higher prices in the next twelve months. Moreover, WMT's average price target of $113 implies an upside potential of 12%. Tailwinds Keep Walmart's Bull Case Intact The setup appears favorable for Walmart heading into its second-quarter results. Consumer spending tailwinds supported by recent retail data, limited tariff-related impacts, and margin expansion driven by strong same-store sales suggest a positive outlook. While the stock's premium valuation already reflects much of this strength, paying up for a business with a relatively low risk of underperformance remains compelling in the current environment. Accordingly, I maintain a Buy rating on WMT ahead of earnings.
