Andover
Andover, OH · Business
Erie Times News
His Erie-based biofuels empire is being sold. His debt keeps growing
Erie entrepreneur Samuel P. "Pat" Black III broke ground in 2006 for the Hero BX plant on East Lake Road, which became the center of his biofuels empire . The phrase "fuel for humanity" was incorporated into the Hero BX logo. Twenty years later, Black is selling his biofuels facilities to fuel a court-approved financial plan to help pay off a personally guaranteed loan of about $13.5 million. But even as Black's Lake Erie Biofuels, which does business as Hero BX, unloads more of the facilities, the debt has continued to grow, according to the latest court filing related to the collapse of the 84-year-old Black's financial holdings. A failure to satisfy the $13.5 million debt would put Black's personal assets at risk. Black has blamed much of his financial decline on his daughter, Sumi James-Black, 51, whom he adopted in 2019, when he was 77 and she was 44 . But Black's $200 million federal lawsuit against her has stalled as he awaits a ruling from a federal appeals court. Black's forced sale of his Hero BX facilities is the result of another federal lawsuit. Connecticut-based Siena Lending Group sued in federal court in Erie in May 2025 after
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Erie Times News
Children's Place files for bankruptcy. What we know about Erie store
The Children's Place , a presence at the Millcreek Mall since 1998, appears to be making plans to turn off the lights. Signs outside the retailer, located in the Boscov's concourse next to Gracylane, announce 30% to 60% off and a headline on the company website says: "All stores closing." But the 57-year-old New Jersey company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Nov. 8, seems to be leaving itself some wiggle room. Chapter 11 bankruptcy provides the company with an opportunity to reorganize. The retailer, which operates more than 500 stores, hopes to do just that. The company said it hopes to substantially sell all of its assets "to secure the highest or otherwise best bid, with the goal of continuing the business." There's no guarantee that will happen. Management of the publicly traded company said: "While the Company pursues a buyer through the chapter 11 process, it must prepare for the possibility that a sale to continue the business cannot be achieved." The bottom line is simply unclear. According to its statement: "The Children’s Place has been evaluating its operational footprint to invest its resources in its strongest locations moving forward. The Company has determined that certain
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Details released in Timber Creek Structures settlement
GIRARD - Last month, 21 News reported that a settlement had been reached in a case against Girard-based shed manufacturer Timber Creek Structures. Now, 21 News has obtained the details of that settlement. According to court documents, Timber Creek Structures was ordered to pay the Ohio Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer...
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Warren vacant lots to be turned into single family homes
Five new single family homes will be built on empty lots in Warren. Two lots on Atlantic Street and three side by side lots on Bonnie Brae Street will each have about 1,400 square feet of living space with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The lots on Atlantic used to...
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Howmet Aerospace employees attempt to resolve ongoing wage issues
NILES - Union workers at Howmet Aerospace in Niles are negotiating with management on an ongoing wage reduction issue following alleged overpayments. According to a press release from the union, employees and management met last week and again this week to work toward a resolution. Union President Derrick Beachum says...