PPG to shutter Texas paints plant, citing loss of Lowe’s

PPG next February will close a paint production facility in Houston, Texas, that employs 52 people. A report in the Houston Business Journal said PPG told the Texas Workforce Commission it is closing the plant because of multiple factors including “loss of distribution at Lowe’s.” In April, Downtown-based PPG said it would cut 1,100 jobs and take a second-quarter restructuring charge of between $80 million and $85 million in part because of losing the Lowe’s business. Sales of PPG products at Lowe’s generated less than $300 million of the paint company’s $15 billion in annual revenues.

Closed Bell’s Market triggers health department order

The Allegheny County Health Department posted a closure order at Bell’s Market in Braddock after finding it abandoned. The department visited the Braddock Avenue store because of complaints about a foul odor coming from the building, according to an inspection report. “The building has no power. Foods appear dusty and neglected. Excessive trash and rotten vegetables present in the dumpster area. Foul odor present from across the street,” the inspector wrote. “This is a public health issue.”

AHN plans groundbreaking for Brentwood hospital

Allegheny Health Network is on track to break ground on a mini-hospital in Brentwood in late summer, following preliminary plan approval Thursday by the borough’s planning commission.The 10-bed, 24,000square-foot hospital will be built on a five-acre tract on Saw Mill Run Boulevard at Greenlee Road. Opening is expected by the third quarter of 2019, AHN Senior Vice President David Goldberg said.