Columbus Dispatch reporter wins National Headliner Award for biz reporting

Columbus Dispatch Reporter Dan Gearino has been awarded a National Headliner Award for business reporting.

A story on its website states, “Gearino joined the Dispatch Business news staff in 2008, primarily covering the energy, manufacturing and automotive industries.

“His entry included ongoing coverage of ‘submeter’ companies’ fight to continue their practice of unregulated utility markups on apartment and condominium residents. (In 2016, The Dispatch reported on the behind-the-scenes action to kill legislation in the Ohio General Assembly that would have regulated the companies. The newspaper kept the spotlight on the issue at a time when consumers finally were able to chalk up a few wins, such as the utility regulators’ ruling in December that they have the authority to oversee submetering.)

“Also in the entry was coverage of the shutdown of Columbus Castings, a century-old foundry (once owned by President George H.W. Bush’s grandfather) and major employer that abruptly closed. The factory’s demise had twists and turns as a prospective new owner narrowly lost in bidding in bankruptcy court, ending hopes for a comeback. The Dispatch stayed ahead of the story, providing workers and neighbors with what they needed to know amid dizzying developments.

“‘Dan Gearino’s reporting on how utilities in Ohio had usually come up the winner vs. consumers was concise, in depth, and led to changes in how they dealt with the public,’ according to comments from judges of the contest. ‘Consumers got a big benefit from Gearino’s reporting.'”

Read more here.