Buffalo, NY (WBEN Newsroom)  -- The AAA says the current average price for a gallon of gas in the region is $3.21.  The statewide average is under $3 at $2.98.  Nationally, motorists are paying an average of fifty-four cents per gallon less than we are here.

Independent Health’s community-based plans will see an average rate increase of 11.5% next year.  Business First reports the rise is due to increased medical expenses and rising utilization.  Univera and BlueCross & BlueShield of Western New York say they will wait to announce their status for 2009 on December 1^st.

Hunt Real Estate will help Benderson Development market homes in a mixed use project the developer has in Port Charlotte, Florida.  The deal is the first of its kind for Hunt.

The third quarter asset value of Rand Capital Corporation fell off 2% compared to the same period a year ago.

Second quarter net income for Columbus McKinnon increased 12.5%.  That increased earnings per share by six cents, to fifty-five cents per share.