Huntington Bank Renews Financial Support of YBI

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Huntington National Bank has renewed its support of the Youngstown Business Incubator and its digital incubation program and entrepreneur in residence position, which is held by Jim Cossler.

The bank, which has supported the program and position since 2016, presented YBI officials a $35,000 check on Friday. The funding represents the first part of a two-year commitment that extends the initial gift, a four-year commitment.

“The recognition and success of the YBI has provided our region with extraordinary national prominence while developing local entrepreneurial projects that create vitality for the economy,” said William C. Shivers, regional president of Huntington Bank in Canton and Mahoning Valley.

Barb Ewing, CEO of the YBI, says since Huntington’s initial gift in 2016, “We’ve been able to expand the capacity of our digital incubation program, providing services to some really world-class entrepreneurs.”

Ewing cites one notable entrepreneur, Augment Therapy, that has received services from the incubation program and was the winner of the inaugural YBI “Shark Tank” held last May.

“It’s companies like Augment Therapy that continue to make us proud to do the work we do while representing Huntington Bank with the program name,” she said.

Pictured at top: James Cossler, Huntington Bank Entrepreneur in Residence, William Shivers, regional president of Huntington Bank Canton and Mahoning Valley, Barb Ewing, CEO of the YBI, Sandy Upperman and Barãta Bey with Huntington Bank

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.