Tri-State Advertising & Marketing Professionals awarded Court Appointed Special Advocates and the SEMO Area Agency on Aging the $160,000 Advertising for a Cause grant established to provide advertising assistance, production and media placement for regional public service organizations. ...

The Bank of Missouri announced its second annual "Jumpstart Your Business Contest," aimed at local people interested in starting a new business or expanding their existing business. The bank will give $1,000 to one winner in each of three regions: Cape Girardeau-Scott City, Jackson and Perryville-Marble Hill-Patton. ...

"Our nation needs your help to ensure that decisions about U.S. agriculture accurately represent you, your communities, and your industry," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "For every 158 people in America there is one farm. I urge you to take action today and respond to the census -- your country is counting on the information to help ensure a continued supply of food, fiber and fuel for generations to come." USDA conducts the census every five years and has received more than 2 million completed census forms for 2012. ...

The Missouri Chapter of March of Dimes is accepting nominations for Nurse of the Year today through June 30. Nurses employed in Missouri and in the Illinois counties of Jersey, Madison, St. Clair, Clinton, Monroe and Randolph are eligible. A selection committee of health-care professionals will review confidential nomination forms and about 20 nurses will be honored at an awards gala Nov. ...

Ribbon cuttings, relocations and expansions Shawnee Community College's Illinois Small Business Development Center will host four "Social Media for Small Business" workshops:   Thursday at SCC Metro Center in Metropolis, Ill.; May 7 at the Pulaski County Business Center in Mounds, Ill.; and May 9 at the SCC Extension Center in Anna, Ill. ...

Beginning Friday and ending April 25, sales of qualifying Energy Star-certified new appliances will be exempt from Missouri state sales tax. Ste. Genevieve County and the cities of Ste. Genevieve, Jackson and Perryville also are participating and will not assess tax on the sale of qualifying items. ...

MRV Banks will open a full-service branch in Cape Girardeau at 1602 N. Kingshighway, Suite 102, in the Regent's Parc Building. Doug Watson, president and chief executive officer, said the anticipated opening date is May 6. Local banking veterans Brian Rivenburgh and Robbie Guard will lead the team at the new location. ...

Enterprise Bank & Trust, the banking subsidiary of Enterprise Financial Services Corp., announced on Tuesday an agreement to acquire certain assets of Gorman & Gorman Home Loans, a division of F&M Bank and Trust Company, subject to regulatory approval. ...

Business Expansion LeBounce Too held a ribbon cutting and grand opening last week. It is an expansion of LeBounce, advertised on its website as "the region's premier family-focused, indoor inflatable play centre for children of all ages." Its second location is geared toward children ages 8 and older. ...

Dalton Florist at 922 E. Jackson Blvd. is under new ownership. Sheila King bought the business from her brother and sister-in-law, James and Robin King, on Jan. 7. King said she is planning to expand the scope of the flower and plant shop to include locally handmade gifts such as accessories, jewelry and home decor...

Midnight Munchies, a late-night food-delivery service, began operations Jan. 25. Owner Lance Fleming runs the business out of Bel Air Grill, where he is a bartender. Bel Air takes a small percentage for use of their facilities. Food items such as chili cheese nachos, fried pickles, fried Oreos, cheeseburgers, soda, bottled water and tobacco products -- with proper ID -- can be delivered from midnight until 3:30 a.m. ...

The annual Tri-State Advertising & Marketing Professionals ADDY Awards will be presented March 1 at The Plaza by Ray's in Cape Girardeau to honor exceptional advertising published or aired in the Cape Girardeau, Paducah, Ky., and Harrisburg, Ill., markets between Jan. ...

"During his lifetime (1920-2004), Mr. Ruzicka mentored and provided opportunities for the business growth of many. It is fitting that his entrepreneurial spirit be remembered with this perpetual legacy to encourage and support young men and women who embody the promise of innovation," said Bill Holland, Southeast vice president of University Advancement and executive director of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, in a news release. ...

Ferguson Enterprises, ranked by trade publications as the nation's largest distributor of plumbing supplies and pipe, valves and fittings, will open a Cape Girardeau location March 4. Tom Kelsey of Lorimont Place Ltd. brokered the real estate for the location at 1329 Southern Expressway. ...

* Just after celebrating its 20 year anniversary, Pop's Pizza at 409 North Clark Street in Cape Girardeau has announced it is closing. "It's kind of the end of an era," said Brad Sample, son of owner Cora Lee Sample. Because of uncertainty in the economy, the family pizzeria does not want to sign a two-year lease as required by the building's owner, Sample said. He also said his mother is looking to retire from the business. Unless a buyer is found, the business will close Feb. 28, he said...

The local business landscape is alive with activity. Businesses are opening, moving, expanding and finding unique ways to spread their messages. Dr. Aaron Andrews and Dr. Philip Pappas of Jackson Healing Arts have written a book, "What You Don't Know Can Heal You: Revealing Secrets to the Most Overlooked Answer for a Healthier Life." The book, published by Totally Booked Practice LLC, is available for purchase at their chiropractic office at 3130 E. ...

Small-business lending is up in Missouri and Illinois, according to a report released last week by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Part of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, the Small Business Lending Fund provides capital to small community banks and community development loan funds. ...

Hello. My name is Shay, and I will be your business editor here at the Southeast Missourian. Let me try to explain how that happened. In 1986, I needed some money. Jobs for a 15 year-old in my small North Carolina town were few, and I had little hope that my reply to an ad in the local paper for a sports reporter and photographer would get noticed. I must have overestimated the allure of the $25 per week salary, because I got the gig...