Akron's small businesses, nonprofits and job seekers spent the day with Google sharpening their digital skills.

It was standing room only at the opening workshop of a day-long training initiative tech giant Google brought to Akron.

“Grow with Google,” held at the main branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library, was designed to help job seekers, small businesses and nonprofits succeed in an increasingly digital world.

The state’s largest health system will be the official health care partner of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA), providing services at tournaments and championship events for the next three years. And the partnership goes beyond sports-related injuries.

Gov. Mike DeWine is standing behind the numbers used to create his budget, as Republican House Speaker Larry Householder suggests he’s leaning toward more conservative numbers from the legislature’s economic analysts.  

Researchers for the Legislative Budget Office or LBO said they think the state will have half a billion dollars less in tax revenue for the two-year budget that starts in July than DeWine’s budget office has projected. And the LBO is suggesting lawmakers cut the spending increase in DeWine’s budget by 25 percent. But DeWine is confident in his spending plan.

Republican Senate leaders say they plan on making more changes to the transportation budget, which might include making further cuts to the proposed gas tax increase which currently stands at a nearly 11-cent hike. 

DeWine has said his original 18-cent gas tax increase, which would also be indexed to inflation so it could rise, is the bare minimum to maintain and repair roads and bridges.

The head of the Downtown Akron Partnership is excited about future possibilities for Akron’s tallest building. Reports indicate Columbus-based Huntington Bank is going to sell what was originally known as First National Tower on South Main Street. Huntington offices in the 27-story building will be moved to other locations it has nearby.

While news of the sale surprised her, Downtown Akron Partnership CEO Suzie Graham said the building is well-suited for other uses. 

As the Indians get close to wrapping up spring training, our sports commentator Terry Pluto caught up with team owner Paul Dolan to talk business. The team has steadily increased payroll from $49 million in 2011 to $135 million in 2018. Pluto says for 2019, the payroll will be around $120 million.

"Dolan says for the last several years they've been deficit spending. And if you look at how the Indians spent compared to Kansas City, Pittsburgh or Cincinnati, or other teams in their market size, they outspent them."