Business briefs

GRIZZLY JIG AWARDED SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- The Grizzly Jig Co. of Caruthersville won the Director's Small Business Award at the Missouri Department of Economic Development's Governor's Conference on Economic Development Sept. 16 in Kansas City, Mo. The award is presented to a small business with fewer than 25 employees, which has experienced significant growth and business development, and has shown innovative use of new and existing marketing methods.

COUNTY CLERKS HOLD CONFERENCE

MINER, Mo. -- The Missouri County Clerks Association and Election Authorities recently held their annual conference at the Miner Convention Center. As current president of the association, Scott County Clerk Rita Milam was the host for this year's event.

T.J. MAXX SETS GRAND OPENING

T.J. Maxx will hold a grand opening for its new Cape Girardeau store at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24, according to T.J. Maxx spokeswoman Thea Houghton. The discount retailer is moving into the former Goody's Family Clothing location at 308 Siemers Drive. T.J. Maxx has more than 800 stores nationwide and is known for offering name-brand clothing, accessories and home decor at discount prices. According to its website, T.J. Maxx will open nine new stores in seven states during October.

SMOOTHIE KING HOLDS GRAND OPENING

Smoothie King, 97 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, held a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Sept. 1.

P.B. CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held ribbon cuttings recently for Poplar Bluff Chemical & Janitorial Supply Co., 628 E. Pine St.; the new Maurices location, 1399 N. Westwood Blvd.; and Staffmark Staffing, 807 Pine St.

NEW SALON OPENS IN CAPE

Janet Kluesner, Oran, Mo., opened Images Salon at 97 N. Kingshighway, Suite 4, Cape Girardeau.

LAWN FURNITURE STORE OPENS IN CAPE

Douglas Raber, Bloomfield, Mo., opened Fairview Lawn Furniture at 621 S. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau. The furniture is handcrafted in Advance, Mo.

HEALTHCARE SUPPLY HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The Farmington Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Aug. 30 for Healthcare Equipment Supply Co., 918 Valley Creek Drive. The business provides home medical equipment, related care products and retail items.

DESLOGE CHAMBER HOLDS TWO RIBBON CUTTINGS

DESLOGE, Mo. -- The Desloge Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting July 16 for Roth Candles, 2A Embry. The business, owned by Missy and Lee Marschel, opened June 15. The chamber also held a July 16 ribbon cutting for Kiss of Couture, 1136 N. Desloge Drive. The business, owned by Krista Merseal, opened June 29 and sells upscale resale women's clothing.

CENTER FOR INNOVATION ADDS START-UP STUDIO

To encourage students to develop entrepreneurial skills and to offer resources and support for students interested in developing new enterprises, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University has opened a new resource center called the Start-Up Studio. The studio is located on the first floor of the Southeast Innovation Center, 920 Broadway, Cape Girardeau. It offers a "Bored Room," a conference area for meetings, student collaboration and presentations; the Chill Zone, a place to relax and connect; a Refueling Station with snacks and beverages; and an Idea Lab, a research center with computer workstations and a reference library. To help students explore the creative process of new venture creation, a number of activities will be hosted by the CIE in the Start-Up Studio, including interactive "Ideation Workshops," invited speakers, and the opportunity to meet with successful entrepreneurs, mentors, suppliers and business counselors from the CIE.

LILBOURN BIODIESEL PLANT REOPENS

LILBOURN, Mo. -- After sitting empty for almost three years, the biodiesel plant in Lilbourn is up and running under the name ME Bio Energy LLC. New owners Mike Ellis and Ruby Mladenobic signed contracts at the Bank of New Madrid on the $7 million plant in mid-May. The plant opened shortly after, working to produce its first batch of biodiesel. After producing the first batch, the plant shut down to send a sample to the Environmental Protection Agency for inspection before opening for full production. Production at ME Bio went into full swing in early July, said Jerry McDowell, plant manager. About half the space inside the plant is unused, and McDowell said the owners plan to purchase another processing line and double production within six months. McDowell said he's looking to hire more employees in the future. The company itself is also looking to expand. The Lilbourn plant is the only one owned at this time by ME Bio Energy, but McDowell said the owners are considering purchasing other plants.

TATTOO SHOP OPENS IN JACKSON

Infamous Art opened Sept. 13 at 1335 Old Cape Road, Jackson. The shop, owned by Johnny Hitt and Eddie Pinkerton, offers tattoos, body piercing and body jewelry.

SUB SANDWICH SHOP TO OPEN IN CAPE

Penn Station East Coast Subs will open in November at 127 Siemers Drive, Suite 102, Cape Girardeau. The sandwich shop will be operated by Pennso Inc. of Paducah, Ky. The Penn Station franchise has restaurants in 11 states across the country.

CAPE ADDS DOWNTOWN BANNERS

Cape Girardeau has brightened its downtown area with new light pole banners. The banners, placed along the riverfront area and along Broadway, were funded by a Preserve America Grant written by Old Town Cape for the City of Cape Girardeau, said Marla Mills, executive director of Old Town Cape. Also included in the grant was funding for other marketing and promotional pieces coordinated by the Convention and Visitors Bureau, including billboards and advertising, and a way-finding signage review that is nearing completion.

STATE ADDS BIDDING WEBSITE

Contractors, consultants, suppliers and disadvantaged business enterprises now have a centralized location to visit on the Missouri Department of Transportation's website to find bidding and contracting opportunities. The new site is www.modot.org/bidding. Before, this information was housed in various locations on the department's home page depending on the type of work offered. The department said pulling these locations into a consolidated page will simplify the bidding and contracting process for businesses wanting to do work for MoDOT.

FURNACE SHOP OPENS IN CAPE

Alternative Energy Solutions opened at 334 N. Frederick St., Cape Girardeau. Owner Joe Schlitt sells outdoor wood furnaces.

CAPE ADDS NEW LENDING BUSINESS

Empire Finance opened at 121 S. Broadview St., Suite 8, Cape Girardeau. The company offers small personal loans.

FARMINGTON CHAMBER STARTS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- The Farmington Chamber of Commerce formed a new organization to bring together young professionals. "Momentum: Farmington Young Professionals" is the first of its kind in St. Francois County in recent history. The goal is to form a networking group of business leaders age 35 and younger. Doug McDermott, chamber director, told the Park Hills Daily Journal that the idea could better equip the chamber leadership for the future. Luke Roussin and Amanda Farrell unveiled the new group during the September Farmington Chamber of Commerce investor luncheon. Initial team members are McDermott, Paul Grindstaff of First State Community Bank, Matt Burgess of Missouri Land Company, Chad Pipkin of iBridge Networks, Melissa Gilliam of YMCA of the Ozarks and Kama Chambers of Edward Jones. A formal kickoff event was held Oct. 14 at Sand Creek Vineyard and Winery.

JACKSON COMPANY RECEIVES STATE CHAMBER AWARD

Signature Packaging & Paper LLC of Jackson will receive The Missouri Chamber of Commerce Fast Track Award during the state chamber's annual meeting Nov. 18. Fast Track Awards recognize companies that have experienced the greatest rate of growth in the past four years. Awards are given seven revenue categories, ranging from businesses with $1 million to more than $1 billion in annual revenue. Winners are selected from nominations received from Missouri Chamber members and local chambers of commerce. Signature Packaging & Paper is owned by Dennis Vinson.

BLOCKBUSTER FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

Since the Blockbuster rental video chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September, many are wondering about the future of Cape Girardeau's Blockbuster store. "Currently, all 3,000 of the company's stores in the U.S. will remain open," said a Blockbuster spokeswoman. "Decisions will be made on a store-by-store basis over the next several months." Blockbuster has 25,500 employees nationwide, including 7,500 full-time workers.

VANMATRE BUICK EARNS AWARD

Van Matre Buick earns award

VanMatre Buick GMC Cadillac, Cape Girardeau, received the Mark of Excellence 2009 Dealer Recognition Award. The award, given to a select few Buick GMC dealerships, is based on exceptional sales performance and customer satisfaction. VanMatre will receive a trophy and plaque. VanMatre has been a Buick dealer since 1980 and a GMC dealer since 2007.

MEDASSETS BUYS TEXAS-BASED COMPANY

MedAssets has entered into an agreement to purchase The Broadlane Group, based in Dallas. Both MedAssets and Broadlane provide supply chain management for hospitals and other medical facilities. MedAssets has 14 offices across the United States, including one in Cape Girardeau that employs about 160 people. It is expected to take 60 to 90 days to complete the purchase of Broadlane. A team has been formed to work out the details of merging the two companies.

NEW HAMBURG TAVERN MAKES USA TODAY LIST

When USA Today asked foodies in every state to name their state's best burger joint, Schindler's Tavern in New Hamburg rose to the top of the list for Missouri. Their burgers feature handmade patties topped with a slice of fried bologna and smothered with grilled onions. Schindler's was nominated by Gary Figgins, editor of Show-Me Missouri magazine. The complete list can be found at www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-09-30-burger-joints_N.htm.

UPDATES

NEW CAREER CENTER PROVIDES INCREASED SERVICES

Leaders of the Southeast Workforce Investment Board and the Missouri Division of Workforce Development unveiled a new Career Center Oct. 4 in Cape Girardeau, replacing the current facility and offering an enhanced menu of career services. DWD is a division of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Center customers can now receive free skills assessments, career certificates and personal guidance from career counselors. The Cape Girardeau Career Center closed its facility at 216 N. Fountain St. on Oct. 1 and reopened Oct. 4 at 1737 N. Kingshighway.

LICENSE OFFICE OPENS IN NEW LOCATION

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Revenue license office opened Sept. 13 in its new location in the old Pear Tree Inn on Westwood Boulevard. The office is operated under contract by Three Rivers Community College.

YOUNG REALTY SWITCHES FROM GMAC TO REAL LIVING

DEXTER, Mo. -- A ribbon cutting was held Aug. 31 for the rebranding of Young Realty GMAC Real Estate to Real Living Young Realty. According to owner Missy Sites, Real Living is a national, award-winning company known for its innovation and customer service.

HEARTLAND OPENS NEW SHOWROOM

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Sept. 1 at Heartland Furniture Appliance, 103 W. Business 60, to celebrate the opening of the store's new showroom and expansion.

PURCELL TIRE BUYS BEST TIRE SITE

Purcell Tire & Rubber Co., headquartered in Potosi, Mo., purchased the former Best Tire & Wheel location near the I-55 interchange at 5308 Highway 61 in Fruitland. The property was listed with an asking price of $1.2 million, according to Tom Kelsey of Lorimont Place Ltd., broker on the sale. Purcell will open soon in the 27,600 square-foot facility, which sits on a 5.2-acre tract.

BOLD MARKETING RELOCATES

BOLD Marketing moved to 107A West Drive, Cape Girardeau. The new location affords more than twice the space of its previous location, with more than 3,000 square feet, said Dana Hukel, president of BOLD Marketing. The company offers market research, strategic planning, branding and traditional media, as well as interactive and social media options.

COMPUTER SHOP MOVES TO FROHNA

Dan's ComputerWorks relocated to 6089 Main St., Frohna, Mo., from its previous location on U.S. 61 in Jackson. Daniel Petzoldt, owner and chief technician, has been repairing computer systems since 1999 and returned to Southeast Missouri in 2004 from Southern California.

MARATHON BENEFITS MOVES

Marathon Benefits Group moved to 325 S. Kingshighway, Suite D, in Cape Girardeau's Kings Row retail center. Marathon, previously at 760 S. Kingshighway, offers insurance, retirement and investment opportunities and programs.

DEVELOPMENT

NORANDA TO SEE SMELTER EXPANSION

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon visited Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. Sept. 3 to announce the expansion of the company's aluminum smelter, a $38 million capital investment that will allow Noranda to increase production capacity. The announcement, which included additional economic incentives from the state of Missouri, is a relaunching of a capital project that was put on hold by global economic conditions and weather-related power outages in Southeast Missouri in January 2009. The governor also awarded a $1 million Energy Efficiency Pilot Grant to Noranda. Administered by the Department of Natural Resources and funded by federal Recovery Act money, the grant will allow Noranda to construct a system for producing aluminum more efficiently with less energy use. Previous state incentives awarded to Noranda include $3.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funds, $2.5 million in Development Tax Credits and $2 million in Job Retention Training Program funds.

SABRELINER TO ADD 400 JOBS

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- On Sept. 3, Gov. Jay Nixon helped break ground for a new hangar to be built by Sabreliner Corp. at its primary maintenance and repair facility at the municipal airport in Perryville. The project is a key part of the company's objective to invest $6.7 million into the local economy in the next year and create more than 400 new local jobs over the next five years. The state of Missouri awarded more than $5 million in potential economic incentives to support the project, which will allow the company to enlarge its paint and strip operations to service more and bigger aircraft. The governor was joined by company officials and community leaders in making the announcement.

DEXTER TO EXPAND POLICE DEPT.

DEXTER, Mo. -- The City of Dexter is moving forward with plans to renovate and expand the current Police Department Building at an estimated cost of $414,500. The city has been setting aside funds for the expansion and has obtained a grant from USDA Rural Development to help with the project cost. The architectural plans were drawn up by Dille and Traxel LLC Architects of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The project calls for constructing a new 1,566-square-foot wood-framed addition to the current building on Cooper Street. The expansion will add administrative offices for the police chief, secretary's office and the lieutenants' offices. Also part of the project is a new office for the judge and court clerk and a court room. The old part of the building will be renovated to include a communication room, a computer room, booking room, additional storage and a lobby.

SPARTECH TO EXPAND CAPE FACILITY

Spartech Plastics will expand its Cape Girardeau facility, adding equipment and jobs. The Cape Girardeau City Council approved the transfer of property Sept. 7 and a rezoning request to make the Spartech growth possible. The $4.6 million project will create a need for about a dozen more employees, said Gary Simmers, director of operations for Spartech. The expansion will increase Spartech's capacity to produce plastic sheeting used in the manufacturing of recreational vehicles, Simmers said. Spartech currently employs about 75 people.

TRCC, MAC GET COMPUTER GRANTS

TRCC, MAC get computer grants

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Three Rivers Community College is one of seven Missouri community colleges to receive federal funding to create or expand computer labs that provide broadband internet access to the public, the Missouri Department of Higher Education announced in mid-September. According to Dr. Wes Payne, vice president for learning, labs in Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Malden and Kennett, Mo., could be operational by January 2011. According to the grant proposal submitted by the Missouri Department for Higher Education, these Public Computer Centers will host basic computer classes and serve as technology hubs for small business development, education, social networking, job searches, research and personal enrichment. The U.S. Telecommunications and Information Administration will award a total of $4.9 million to the following colleges as part of its Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, or B-TOP: Metropolitan (Kansas City), St. Louis, Ozark Tech (Springfield), Jefferson (Hillsboro), Mineral Area (Park Hills), Moberly Area and Three Rivers. Three Rivers will receive $563,940 from the grant.

WHEATLEY LANDS $50,000 GRANT

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Wheatley Historic Preservation Association landed a $50,000 grant from Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation Preservation Fund to restore the exterior of the building. Wheatley was selected from more than 250 applicants as the only project in Missouri to be funded this year, due to the significance the landmark has had in Poplar Bluff over the past century, according to the award letter from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Lowe's not-for-profit partner in the pilot program. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 for its role within the African-American community, Wheatley Public School was constructed in the Colonial Rival style in 1928. The two-story building, located on Garfield Street across from Rattler's Grocery, is currently owned by the city and houses Butler County' s only collection focused on African-American heritage. The building also hosts an after-school literacy and mentoring program for at-risk K-4 students, in partnership with the Community Resource Council.

JACKSON INDUCTED TO DREAM INITIATIVE

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- On Sept. 27, The Missouri Department of Economic Development announced that five Missouri communities were selected to participate in the 2010 DREAM (Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri) Initiative. The initiative helps communities engage in downtown redevelopment and revitalization efforts. Cassville, Jackson, Monett, Ozark and Waynesville are the fifth round of communities inducted in the DREAM Initiative. They were selected from a total of 10 applicants. Selected communities become active members of the DREAM Initiative for three years and gain prioritized access to state-supported programs through cooperation among several agencies and funding sources. Programs include technical and financial assistance for infrastructure improvements, historic preservation, affordable housing, community services, business development and job creation.

BLOOMFIELD PURINA PLANT TO EXPAND

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- On Sept. 27, Stoddard County commissioners approved the closing of part of County Road 535 to pave the way for an expansion at the Nestle Purina Petcare Inc. facility near Bloomfield. The plant is planning a $15 million expansion, according to Julian Steiner, executive director of the Industrial Development Authority of Stoddard County. Commissioner Frank Sifford said Nestle Purina, which makes cat litter and other pet-related products, intends to make improvements to the road as part of its expansion. Steiner said the plant is in an enhanced enterprise zone, and the expansion is the beginning of further projects at the plant. He said the expansion would bring additional jobs to the county.

TRANSIT SERVICE BREAKS GROUND

DEXTER, Mo. -- A groundbreaking was held recently for a new Stoddard County Transit Service facility to be located just north of Outer Road North in Dexter. After receiving a $500,000 stimulus grant, plans were laid out to construct a 4,500-square-foot building that will include bays for the transit bus fleet and a conference room. The project is scheduled for completion by March 2011, said Allen Walker of Walker Construction.