Briefs - September 2012

EVENT PLANNING BUSINESS OPENS IN JACKSON

Milestones, a full-service wedding and event planning business, is now open in Jackson. Owner LeVa Clement has owned the business for several years and recently relocated from Tennessee. She works with assistant planner MacKenzie Dunning. The business website is milestones.vpweb.com/. Milestones also offers its own line of all-natural sea salt and sugar scrubs, as well as bath salts.

IMPLEMENT NAME CHANGES

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Effective July 1, Butler County Implement, Dexter Implement, French Implement, Malden Implement and Sikeston Implement are now known as Greenway Equipment Inc., according to the Daily American Republic. ConMac Missouri Investments purchased each of these dealerships in 2009. The name change to Greenway Equipment Inc. will match ConMac's 17 dealerships in Arkansas.

FOOD BANK BUYING WAREHOUSE WITH USDA LOAN

The Southeast Missouri Food Bank purchased a warehouse facility in Sikeston, Mo., the Southeast Missourian reported. Since 2007, the food bank has operated out of a warehouse on Nash Road in Cape Girardeau, but it has outgrown that space as the number of people needing assistance continues to increase across the 16 counties it serves. A $900,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan will allow the food bank to buy 21 acres and a 64,000-square-foot warehouse at 600 Route H in Sikeston. The building needs repairs and modifications, including a new roof, a loading dock addition, freezers and coolers, but will allow the food bank to triple the size of its current food distribution center, said Karen Green, executive director of the food bank. The Nash Road warehouse will remain open as a volunteer center. The food bank will spend the rest of the year making the transition to its new facility.

FAMILY DOLLAR COMING TO SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

A Family Dollar Store is coming to the site of the former El Torero Restaurant in Jackson, according to Tom Kelsey, commercial broker with Lorimont Place, Ltd., who handled the real estate transaction. Kelsey recently closed the sale of the property at 711 E. Jackson Blvd. The building will be completely razed and site work completed to build the new retail store. Another Family Dollar Store will be built on three acres next to Jay's Barbecue in Marble Hill, Mo. Bryn Winburn, public relations manager for the store, told the Banner Press that construction on the 7,000-square-foot building would begin in February, with an opening in August. A Family Dollar store has already opened on Highway 25 in Advance, Mo., next to McDonald's. Barb Jarrell is the store manager.

SUNSATIONAL POOLS OPENS IN CAPE

A grand opening was held July 23 to 28 for Sunsational Pools, 33 N. Ellis St. in Cape Girardeau. The store, formerly called Solar Pools, is now owned by longtime employee Clayton Bryant.

MAGIC SHOPPE OPENS IN PARK HILLS

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- The Park Hills-Leadington Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for The Prestige Magic Shoppe & Birthday Theatre, 520 Bass St. in Park Hills. D.J. Edwards owns the business.

R&P OIL OPENS LOBBY AREA

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Randy and Pat Crawford, owners of R&P Oil, held a grand opening and ribbon cutting June 15 for their business at 111 Broadway in Sikeston. The business has been open for two years, but manager Kim Berry said the event marked the completion of a walk-in lobby where customers can purchase snacks, drinks and cigarettes.

PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO OPENS IN DESLOGE

DESLOGE, Mo. -- The Desloge Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon for Shannon Edwards Photography, 202 N. Lincoln St. Shannon Edwards owns the new business.

ST. LOUIS FIRM TO BUILD CAPE SEWER PLANT

St. Louis-based KCI Construction is set to be awarded a $55.6 million contract to build Cape Girardeau's new wastewater treatment plant, the Southeast Missourian reported. Work on the two-year project is slated to start in late September at the Public Works site at 2007 Southern Expressway. KCI will be on a tight deadline to complete the project by June 2014, a time frame put in place by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The new plant is designed to handle an average flow of 11 million gallons per day and a peak capacity of 50 million gallons a day. Jacobs Engineering said the new plant is projected to handle wastewater for at least 20 years, with the actual structure expected to last 50 years with room for expansion.

CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR HIGHWAY PROJECTS

The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded several contracts for Southeast District projects, including a $6,679,015 contract to Apex Paving Co. of Cape Girardeau for installation of guard cable on Interstate 55, from Interstate 57 to the Arkansas state line.

CTC PARTNERS WITH WORKFORCE EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS

Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center and Workforce Employment Solutions announced a new partnership for students at the center. In August, Workforce Employment Solutions began managing the Career Placement office serving students in traditional programs. Workforce is now responsible for preparing students for employment, arranging internship opportunities, assisting with resume and interview preparation and acting as a liaison between the center and the business community.

GROUNDBREAKING HELD FOR DO IT BEST

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A groundbreaking was held June 11 for Do It Best Corp.'s 550,000-square-foot retail service center at the Sikeston Business, Education and Technology Park on Rose Parkway, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. Officials planned to start construction in the next two to three weeks, and the center is expected to open in early 2014.

RIBBON CUTTING HELD FOR NEW BYPASS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce and Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission held a ribbon cutting Aug. 2 for the new Poplar Bluff Industrial Park Bypass at the north end of the road by Heartland Express. The Industrial Park Road was designed by Smith & Co. Engineering and constructed by RLP Construction. The new bypass will allow traffic to flow quickly and smoothly in and out of the Industrial Park and ease congestion of residential neighborhoods and the downtown area.

UNIVERSITY OPENS BIOMASS RESEARCH FIELD

Southeast Missouri State University held a grand opening July 19 for its new Biomass/Biofuels Research and Demonstration Field on the Sikeston, Mo., campus. The field will grow crops that can be converted into fuel sources or alternatives to chemicals in many products. Establishment of the field marks a commitment to finding biomass-based economic development opportunities in the Missouri Bootheel.

TRI-STATE POOLS RELOCATES

Tri-State Pools moved from 304 N. Kingshighway to the former Wieser PowerSports building at 2215 Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

AT&T EXPANDS 4G NETWORK TO SIKESTON

SIKESTON, Mo. -- AT&T activated a new 4G mobile Internet cell site in Sikeston that will enhance coverage for area residents and businesses and provide speeds up to four times faster than 3G, according to a news release. The new cell site enhances coverage in the eastern part of the city approximately from U.S. 61 to Country Road 541 east of Interstate 55. The 4G expansion is part of AT&T's continuing network investment to support the growing demand for mobile devices, apps and faster mobile Internet speeds.

EDWARD JONES NAMED FIRM OF THE YEAR

Financial services firm Edward Jones was named the Advisory Solutions Firm of the Year by the Money Management Institute as the firm that most exemplifies overall excellence and contributes to the long-term success and sustainability of the wealth management industry. The award was presented at the Institute's annual Gateway to Leadership Awards Dinner in Chicago. The Money Management Institute is the national association for the managed investment solutions and the wealth management industry.

MIRACLE-EAR EARNS PLATINUM DESIGNATION

The local Miracle-Ear franchise owned by Ken and Lisa Swinford and Joyce Hill Cooley was named to the Miracle-Ear Platinum Club. The designation reflects the highest level of performance in the Miracle-Ear franchise system. Platinum Club members are rated for customer service and satisfaction, market penetration and franchise leadership. Cooley accepted the award at an annual business meeting June 23 in Orlando. This is the seventh time the franchise has received the national distinction. The local franchise has offices in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Perryville, Ste. Genevieve, Farmington and Sikeston, Mo.

CAPE MAKES FORBES BUSINESS LIST

Cape Girardeau was ranked as one of the Best Small Places for Business and Careers by Forbes.com. The city's history, substantial health care industry, numerous murals and a university are all mentioned in the article ranking Cape Girardeau No. 74 in the list of 184 cities. The rankings were based on 12 metrics, including past and projected job growth, costs of doing business and living, income growth, educational attainment and projected economic growth. Crime rates, cultural and recreational opportunities, net migration patterns and the number of highly ranked colleges in an area (according to Forbes' annual college rankings) were also factors considered in making the selection. Cape Girardeau was ranked No. 36 in the Cost of Doing Business, No. 107 in Job Growth and No. 67 in Education.

UNITED WAY COMPLETES MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

United Way of Southeast Missouri completed all United Way Worldwide membership requirements by their respective due dates. The annual certification process includes completing the required reports and adhering to standards developed by United Way Worldwide to protect the brand.

CAPE WINS MISSOURI MAIN STREET AWARDS

Old Town Cape brought home awards for Best Economic Restructuring Project and Volunteer of the Year during the Missouri Main Street conference in St. Louis. Cape's "Operation Main Street: Business Success Series" was named the 2012 Best Economic Restructuring Project by the Missouri Main Street organization. The project was started as a way to recruit businesses into the district and enhance the viability and sustainability of businesses in the downtown area. Based on the needs of the project, the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship developed a training program that included financial counseling, needs assessment, mystery shopping and an action plan competition at the end of the project. The program was offered at no charge to the businesses in the Old Town Cape district. Missouri Main Street's 2012 Volunteer of the Year award went to Claire Bruce, owner of Merchapolitan and Sloan and Themis. Bruce used her skills to interpret the Downtown Market Analysis from the DREAM Initiative; she was also the brains behind the "Operation Main Street" series.

CONCOURSE HOLDS OPEN HOUSE

The Concourse Building held an open house for its new meeting facility in the former Teamster's building at 429 N. Broadview St. in Cape Girardeau. The building also serves as headquarters for the Arch Nemesis franchise, which operates 11 McDonald's restaurants in Southeast Missouri. Its meeting facility features a 40-by-80-foot conference room, motorized retractable screen, stage with podium and wireless microphone, high speed Wi-Fi Internet access, Full 1080p HD 5500 lumen projector, and iPad integration that controls multiple elements in each room, including audio/video, lighting control, HVAC control and shades. It offers a high-quality audio system with 24 speakers, four subwoofers and 8,000 watts of power. The facility offers the ability to wirelessly stream video and audio from iPad or iPhone to the projector and sound system.

GIFT SHOP OPENS IN DOWNTOWN CAPE

Riverfront Gifts & Collectibles opened Aug. 3 in the former S. Greg Gallery at 114 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau. Owner Debbie Baker said the store features year-round items as well as seasonal selections. Baker, who works as a corporate meeting and events planner, moved to Cape Girardeau from Las Vegas about two and a half years ago. Her aunt, niece, daughter and grandsons are all working at the new store.

BROWN'S SHOE RELOCATING

Brown's Shoe Fit Co. is moving from downtown Cape Girardeau to 201 S. Mount Auburn Road, Suite A, in the former Talbots location. The store is expected to open at its new location around Sept. 1, said owner Nick Mercer. More space, more parking and the proximity to other retailers made the move attractive, Mercer said. He said the store will offer an expanded selection due to the additional room the new store will provide.

PARADISE DONUTS UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

KENNETT, Mo. -- A ribbon cutting was held at Paradise Donuts on July 28 to celebrate the business' new management, Robert and Crystal Morgan, according to the Daily Dunklin Democrat.

PRESTIGE SALON CELEBRATES OPENING

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Prestige Salon, 928 Ida St. in Poplar Bluff. Curtis Fouts owns the salon.

EXOTIC GRILL OPENS IN NEW LOCATION

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Exotic Grill held a ribbon cutting to open its new location at 207 N. Westwood Blvd. in Poplar Bluff.