Business briefs

SEMO Foundation buys Broadway properties

The Southeast Missouri University Foundation has entered into an agreement by which properties at 834 Broadway and 900 Broadway in Cape Girardeau will be transferred to the Foundation for use by Southeast Missouri State University.

The properties, both owned by Dave Howard, include the Howard's Athletic Goods building on the northwest corner of Pacific and Broadway and the former Sinclair gas station on the northeast corner of that intersection. Howard's relocated Jan. 26 to 835 Broadway. Trudy Lee, director of planned giving at Southeast, said the transaction will result in a charitable gift from Howard to provide support to future Southeast students and local charities. Kathy Mangels, vice president for finance and administration, said the University plans to raze the two structures to make way for university parking.

Infant day care opens March 2

A day care center for children two years of age and younger opened March 2 in Cape Girardeau. Just Babies is located near the Just Kids building at 6 Girardeau Court. The new day care is owned by Donnie Harris, who also owns McAlister's Deli and Just Kids day cares in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Perryville, Mo. Kara Amos is the manager. The phone number is 573-332-0450.

New bar and grill opens in Cape

Southeast Missouri State University alumni have opened Heckler's Beer Barn and Grill in Cape Girardeau. General manager Rob Foeste named it in honor of the fans who cheer on the Southeast Redhawks from Cherry Hill in Capaha Park.

The restaurant at 1000 N. Sprigg St. offers food such as fried green beans and jalapeno bottle caps, wings made with Foeste's signature homemade sauce, mozzarella sticks, onion rings and a wide assortment of beer. Heckler's also offers daily specials on food and beverages, as well as NFL Sunday Ticket and UFC events.

Heckler's is open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m.-1:30 a.m., Saturday from noon-1:30 a.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m.-midnight. The phone number is 573-332-8900.

First State Community Bank offers 'green' option

First State Community Bank is going green with Elements Green Banking, a new paperless account. The interest-bearing account helps customers reduce their impact on the environment by eliminating the excessive amount of paper typical of the average checking account. With Elements Green Banking, customers are enrolled in online banking, receive e-statements and have free online bill payment to help cut paper usage.

UPS Store gets state recognition

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — The Poplar Bluff UPS Store was among 20 small businesses in Missouri honored by the General Assembly Jan. 28 at a business showcase in Jefferson City. The event, sponsored by the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers and the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, highlights the achievements of some of the two programs' top performing clients. Jeff and LaRae Long, owners and operators of The UPS Store in Poplar Bluff, opened their store in 2008.

Gittin Place Auction opens in Cape

A new auction business has opened at 2100 Big Bend Road in Cape Girardeau. Owner Jeff Sides said dealers will offer new and used items at 6:30 p.m. every Thursday. On the first Thursday of the month, meat from a dealer in Perryville, Mo., will be sold. Sides previously operated a consignment operation in Marble Hill, Mo.

New amendment will aid businesses

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Legislation that will expand Missouri's Quality Jobs Program will impact local companies, too. House Bill 191 will allow the Quality Jobs Program to issue an unlimited amount of tax credits to businesses that create jobs that pay at least the average wage in the county and provide health insurance benefits. Currently the amount of credits that can be issued is capped at $60 million.

Buchheit opens third Illinois store

GREENVILLE, Ill. — Buchheit has announced the opening of its sixth store, this time in Greenville, Ill. The company, which has three Missouri locations — Herculaneum, Perryville and Jackson — and two stores in Illinois — Sparta and Jacksonville — will move into a 72,000-square-foot building in Greenville, Ill., most recently occupied by Value City department store.

eBay business opens in Cape

Emanuel and Nakisha Harris have opened up a new web-based business in Cape Girardeau. Through the business, called Harris Enterprise, they teach others how to buy and sell items online, including through eBay. They previously operated the business out of their home.

The business is open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Located at 129 Broadview St., Harris Enterprise can be reached at 573-651-0300, 877-651-0303 or harrisenterprise.com.

Cape to host Forest Industry Show

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The nation's wood products, timber harvesting and forest industry will turn its attention to the Show Me State June 26-27 as Cape Girardeau hosts the biannual Midwest Forest Industry Show. The event is sponsored by the Missouri Forest Products Association. Visitors will see the newest machinery, equipment, and techonology in the forest products industry, including sawmill, logging, biomass, pallet and related manufacturing equipment and services. Tours of the three area mills will be offered June 25.

For more information, call 573-634-3252, e-mail show@moforest.org or visit moforest.org.

333 Computer Services holds ribbon cutting

The Jackson Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Feb. 23 for 333 Computer Services, which moved to 117 E. Jefferson St., Suite D, on Feb. 9. The shop offers carry-in repairs, on-site business calls, in-home service, wireless installation and maintenance, computer application training, custom web-based business start-up assistance and more. Owner John Distefano had been operating out of his Sedgewickville, Mo., home since July 2008.

333 Computer Services is open noon-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and by appointment. The phone number is 573-204-0550.

Bobby's Kitchen opens in Cape

Bobby's Kitchen has opened in Cape Girardeau. The family restaurant is owned by Krissty and Bobby Steers, who also opened Fruitland Diner in August 2008. Bobby's Kitchen is located at the former Cape Branding Iron property at 1015 N. Kingshighway. It has the same menu as Fruitland Diner.

Ag groups seek Missouri Century Farms

Several state agricultural organizations are seeking family-owned farms that have been owned since Dec. 31, 1909 for recognition as Missouri Century Farms.

Missouri Farm Bureau, University of Missouri Extension and the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources are sponsoring the call for submissions for those who meet certain criteria. In order to qualify, the same family must have owned the farm for 100 consecutive years; the line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage or adoption; and the farm must be at least 40 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.

Early applications are accepted through May 1 for $40. Applications must be postmarked by May 15. For more information, call 800-292-0969 or visit extension.missouri.edu/centuryfarm.

Environmental group launches 'green' business program

The Southeast Missouri Climate Protection Initiative has launched a program to recognize local businesses that are "going green." So far, 36 businesses have agreed to participate in the "Local Businesses Go Green" program, says program leader Jill Wicks. Participants include those from the restaurant, manufacturing and grocery sectors.

To increase participation, the Climate Protection Initiative and the Southeast Missouri League of Women Voters have released a survey through the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's weekly newsletter. The survey can be accessed at cstl.semo.edu/SEMOCPI/Projects/Businesses_Go_Green_Recognition.htm.

Teko Pharmacy adds pill dispensing machine

KENNETT, Mo. — TEKO Pharmacy is now using the SP 200 Robotic Prescription Dispensing System from ScriptPro, which allows pharmacists to spend more time consulting with customers while the machine counts pills, fills vials and labels prescriptions. The machine, which works through barcode scanning, can fill up to 150 prescriptions in one hour and is 100 percent accurate.

Department of Labor announces boost in unemployment benefits

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis has announced a weekly increase in unemployment compensation, as provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, enacted on Feb. 17. The temporary Federal Additional Compensation program will provide a $25 weekly increase in unemployment compensation for eligible workers. These extra benefits are 100 percent federally-funded. The stimulus legislation also extended the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.

To qualify, unemployed workers must be determined eligible by a state workforce agency. Workers must have earned sufficient wages from prior employment and have been separated from employment for non-disqualifying reasons. They must also be able and available to work while receiving benefits. States began to make the extra payments as early as the week of March 1 for weeks of unemployment effective Feb. 22, 2009. For information, visit dol.gov.

Department of Labor announces grant for auto workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $2,199,132 grant to assist approximately 574 workers affected by layoffs from automotive industry suppliers across Missouri and in nearby Kansas. Awarded to the Missouri Division of Workforce Development, the grant will provide affected workers with full access to dislocated worker services. Those eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance will have use of services that are not available through the TAA program. Services include skills assessment, counseling, case management and job search assistance. For more information, visit doleta.gov/NEG.

Southeast's Innovation Center recognizes award winners

The Southeast Missouri State University Innovation Center recognized area businesses Feb. 25 for their entrepreneurial efforts. Cape Precision Machine in Cape Girardeau and Wee Care Preschool in Advance, Mo., are among the six businesses in Southeast Missouri to receive SPARK (Service, People, Area, Results, Keys to success) awards. The inaugural SPARK awards are given to businesses for their growth and economic contributions in the region.

The businesses were selected from 240 businesses in Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee that completed the Innovation Center's Operation Jump-Start and Bootstrap training programs. Other SPARK award winners are Mineral Area Pro Wash in Bonne Terre, Mo., Baetje Farms in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., Adorable Again in Dyersburg, Tenn., and Flower Ridge Farm in Harrisburg, Ill.

Ziggie's Cafe opens in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Ziggie's Cafe opened Feb. 26 in the old Pasta House location inside the Holiday Inn just one week after the Italian eatery closed ending four years there. The management at Ziggie's has hired the majority of the staff from Pasta House, along with taking on some people who became unemployed when Ruby Tuesday recently went out of business.

Mostly located in south central Missouri, with one restaurant in Kansas, the Poplar Bluff facility will be the 13th Ziggie's Cafe. The family-owned and operated restaurant is known for its generous helpings and all-day-long breakfasts. In addition to more than 20 different omelets and skillets, the cafe offers a full list of lunch and dinner items, all-you-can-eat daily entrees for $8.99 and a lunch express menu.

Tony Balazi of Springfield runs the Poplar Bluff outlet. Hours are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. everyday. For more information, visit www.ziggiescafe.com or call 573-712-9010.