Business briefs

ENTERPRISE HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

MALDEN, Mo. -- The Malden Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting June 25 for Enterprise Heating and Cooling, located in Enterprise Plaza at 2772 N. Douglass St.

EDWARD JONES BRANCH RANKS NO. 1

DEXTER, Mo. -- Ben Worley and Becky Edmonds of the Edward Jones financial services firm in Dexter received the firm's Client Service Excellence Award for being the No. 1 client service provider in their region. The honor was based on results of a survey in which random clients were asked to rank the service they received from teams at their local Edward Jones branch offices.

P.B. DMV CUTS RIBBON

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to open the Missouri Department of Motor Vehicles' new office at 2509 Three Rivers Blvd.

BOAT HOUSE HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Boat House Wine Co. held a ribbon cutting recently with the Dexter Chamber of Commerce. The Boat House, on Country Road 252 north of Bloomfield, is owned by David Duncan.

AIR EVAC ADDS FIXED-WING SERVICE

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Air Evac Lifeteam, the largest independently owned and operated air medical service in the U.S., opened a fixed-wing air ambulance base in Poplar Bluff, reported the Daily American Republic. The base is at Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport, along with the Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter air ambulance service already located there. The fixed-wing service will serve as an adjunct to the existing helicopter service by providing a faster means of transportation for longer transports; instrumental flight rules capabilities for flights in inclement weather; and as an additional asset when the helicopter is on another flight. Air Evac has contracted with EagleMed, a Part 135 operator, to operate the aircraft and provide pilots for the service, while Air Evac will provide the medical crew. A King Air E90 airplane will be used for the service.

ELITE TRAVEL EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Elite Travel Inc., Cape Girardeau, was recognized as one of the top travel agencies nationwide by Southwest Airlines Vacations. Elite Travel president Carolyn Kempf and travel consultant Jaime Stroder were among representatives of about 20 U.S. travel agencies recognized as top producers for 2010 by Southwest Vacations at retreat in Clearwater, Fla. This is the first time Elite has received the recognition, which is based on factors such as customer service and sales.

AMBULANCE DISTRICT HOLDS OPEN HOUSE

DEXTER, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Ambulance District Station No. 1 held an open house June 12 for its new facility at 501 W. Business Highway 60, across from West City Park in Dexter. The $2.2 million project, completed in late 2010, includes a conference room, training room and several ambulance bays.

KRCU RECOGNIZED FOR BROADCAST EXCELLENCE

KRCU at Southeast Missouri State University was recognized June 4 at the Missouri Broadcasters Association's annual convention and awards presentation at Lake Ozark, Mo. KRCU received first place in the documentary/public affairs category for the station's production of "The Ghosts of the Mississippi." KRCU producer Jacob McCleland and Southeast Missouri State University history professor Dr. Joel Rhodes shared the story.

PERRYVILLE CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting June 14 for Lithium's Yellow Rose Bed and Breakfast.

CHAUMETTE OPENS CORPORATE VILLA

STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- Chaumette Winery of Ste. Genevieve County opened a new Executive Boardroom Villa, according to the Park Hills Daily Journal. The Boardroom Villa, located at The Villages of Chaumette, has a boardroom-style meeting room, full kitchen, living area and two bathrooms on the ground level, and a master suite on the second level.

JEWELRY STORE OPENS IN CAPE

Silver Eclipse jewelry store opened at 703 Broadway, Cape Girardeau. It is owned by Iqbal Hussain of Cape Girardeau.

TWO SALONS TO OPEN IN CAPE

Tangles Hair Salon opened at 1928 Golden Eagle Court, Cape Girardeau. It is owned by Brandy Parsons of Jackson. Evolve Hair Studio will open in July at 3100 Pioneer Drive, No. 33, Cape Girardeau. It is owned by Race Bradley.

CAPE ADDS HOT DOG BUSINESS

The Hot Dog Express received a business license in Cape Girardeau. Owner Chris Sarakas of Cape Girardeau will prepare and serve hot dogs and bratwurst from a mobile cart.

MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT OPENS IN DEXTER

DEXTER, Mo. -- Dhafer's Mediterranean Steakhouse opened June 15 at 117 S. Locust St. The restaurant, owned by Dhafer and Melissa Al-Makater, offers a variety of steaks, pastas and other entrees. A ribbon cutting was held recently with the Dexter Chamber of Commerce.

CALLA LILY'S HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

DEXTER, Mo. -- Calla Lily's Clothing and Tanning, 11 S. Locust St., held a ribbon cutting June 10 with the Dexter Chamber of Commerce.

NARS TO ADD JOBS, PUBLIC DAYCARE

National Asset Recovery Services is adding at least 100 new positions to its Cape Girardeau staff, Chris Buehrle, founder and president of NARS, announced June 14. The customer care positions will bring the workforce to more than 600 people, he said. The announcement was made during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new playground at the business' day care facility, which is now open to the public. The playground expansion was funded with a $30,000 Missouri Child Care Facility Improvement grant and about $3,000 raised by NARS employees. About 50 children attend the day care currently, but Buehrle said it can now have up to 90 children, ages 6 weeks to 12 years.

AREA PROPERTIES RECOGNIZED BY RURAL DEVELOPMENT

DEXTER, Mo. -- Area Properties Real Estate received a certificate of appreciation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. The recognition was for outstanding service that the real estate agents provide in finding affordable homes and appropriate financing so that individuals and families can fulfill the American dream of homeownership, and for using USDA Rural Development's home loan programs.

NEW RESTAURANT IN CAPE

Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade opened in the former Gyro King location, 1929 Independence St., Cape Girardeau. Baba's is a Chicago-based franchise specializing in Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and fresh lemonade. Gyros are also still on the menu, said Omar Daraghma, Baba's manager.

RIVER HILLS RESTAURANT CLOSES

PARK HILLS, Mo. -- The board of East Missouri Action Agency voted June 20 to close its River Hills Restaurant, effective immediately, due to the economic situation, reported the Park Hills Daily Journal. The restaurant opened in March 2009 as a training ground and educational center to help economically disadvantaged men and women find fulfilling jobs. The facility includes a commercial kitchen where local entrepreneurs can start their culinary businesses. Keri McCrorey, EMAA community services director, said the kitchen will remain open for new businesses. She added that the restaurant was popular, but sales were not high enough to cover expenses. Through the program, more than 30 people were trained in the culinary field, she said.

BANK OF MISSOURI OPENS NEW FACILITY

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Bank of Missouri opened its new operations and data center at the intersection of U.S. 61 and the Highway 51 bypass in Perryville. The new building is 51,000 square feet and three stories tall. The center, with about 50 employees, provides support for all 13 Bank of Missouri branches.

SUN & TAN TEMPORARILY CLOSES

Sun & Tan, 421 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, has closed until Jan. 9. Owner Terrie Hellman, who has operated the business for 16 years, said she is semiretiring and will open the business seasonally from now on. She will continue to do spray tans by appointment.

UPDATES

TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES MERGE

Hi-Tech Communications Inc. acquired Q Audio & Video of Cape Girardeau and Microcomputer Services of Sikeston and Caruthersville, Mo. Jim Woods, president of Hi-Tech, said the combined workforce brings together 40 professionals in the areas of technical, design, sales, marketing and administration.

LIME MANUFACTURER TO EXPAND IN BONNE TERRE

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- Valley Minerals, company that manufactures lime for the U.S. steel industry, is expanding its operations in Bonne Terre and creating 55 new local jobs, Gov. Jay Nixon announced June 7. The jobs will be added over the next five years, he said. The Valley Minerals location in Bonne Terre has been a lime production site since 1927, including Missouri Lime, the previous business to use the site. When Missouri Lime went into foreclosure, it was purchased by FTL Capital in September 2010 and renamed Valley Minerals. The company currently employs about 20 workers in Bonne Terre. To help Valley Minerals move ahead with its plans, the state of Missouri authorized $163,000 in Missouri Quality Jobs Program tax credits. The company would receive the tax credits after creating a set number of jobs over the next five years.

P.B. LICENSE OFFICE MOVES

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Poplar Bluff License Bureau opened in its new office June 20 at 2509 Three Rivers Blvd. It was previously located in the former Pear Tree Inn.

SEMO NURSING PROGRAMS REACCREDITED

The baccalaureate and master's degree programs in nursing at Southeast Missouri State University received continuing accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The CCNE Board of Commissioners acted at its April meeting to grant accreditation for a 10-year period, extending to June 30, 2021.

CAPE TRAVEL AGENCIES MERGE

Shari Elfrink, president of 1st Class Travel Inc., and Cynthia Schutt, owner of All Around Travel LLC, have merged their companies as 1st Class Travel Inc. Schutt joined 1st Class at its current location on William Street in Cape Girardeau. The move brings together more than 35 years of expertise in vacation and business travel. Schutt is a Certified Sandals Specialist who specializes in destination weddings and honeymoon planning.

SIKESTON COMPANY TO MOVE TO MINER

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Delta Companies will move a concrete plant to Miner, Mo., the Standard Democrat reported on June 22. During its June 21 meeting, the Miner Board of Aldermen unanimously approved Delta's plan to establish the plant in the city. It will be built on 10 acres of fenced-in property located off Woods Lane, owned by Apex Paving Co., a company owned by Delta Companies Inc., that currently has an asphalt operation there. Delta's current facility is on the corner of Ables Road and Ingram in Sikeston.

MCDONALD'S CORPORATE OFFICES TO RELOCATE

The Teamsters building, 429 Broadview St., Cape Girardeau, will soon be home to the corporate offices of local McDonald's franchise Arch Nemesis LLC. The 15,000-square-foot building previously served as headquarters for Teamsters Local 574 for nearly 45 years. Shannon Davis, owner of Arch Nemesis, said the company's current corporate offices behind the McDonald's on Broadway will move to the Teamsters building once renovations are completed in August. Arch Nemesis operates 11 McDonald's restaurants in Southeast Missouri and has more than 600 employees.

RUNNING STORE CHANGES NAME, MANAGEMENT

Ghisallo Running, 1131 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, changed its name to Missouri Running Co. and is now managed by Bryan and Kim Kelpe, Cape Girardeau. Kim Kelpe is now at the store full time. Her husband, Bryan, teaches in the Cape Girardeau School District in addition to managing the store. Missouri Running Co. also has locations in University City and Chesterfield, Mo.

HEARING AID CENTER RELOCATES

KENNETT, Mo. -- Kennett Hearing Aid Center held an open house June 27-July 1 for its new location at 607A Billington Road. The center has operated in the Kennett area since 1978, and has another center in Malden, Mo.

DEVELOPMENT

COMPANY ADDING GRAIN BIN AT SEMO PORT

Midwest Grain and Barge Co. and First Missouri Terminals Corp. of Cape Girardeau is expanding its grain storage facility at SEMO Port. Construction is underway on a 120,000-bushel grain bin, which will more than double the current storage capacity, said Matt Zimmerman, general manager of Midwest Grain and Barge. Agri-Systems of Cape and Jackson Inc. and Bruce Martin Construction Inc. are contractors on the project. The storage bin is expected to be completed in time for the wheat harvest.

DEXTER POLICE DEPT. BEGINS EXPANSION

DEXTER, Mo. -- A renovation and expansion project is underway at the Dexter Police Department, reported the Dexter Daily Statesman. The contractor for the project is Walker Construction Co. of Dexter. Architectural plans for the expansion were drawn up by Dille and Traxel LLC Architects of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The project includes a 1,566-square-foot addition to the current building on Cooper Street. It will house administrative offices for the police chief, secretary and lieutenants; a new office for the judge and court clerk; and a new courtroom. The old part of the building will be renovated to include a communication room, computer room, booking room, additional storage and a lobby. The city received an $85,000 grant from USDA Rural Development to help pay for the project. The city also set aside $175,000 for the project and built another $100,000 into the 2010 budget to pay for the project.

OLD ORCHARD PHASE III TO BEGIN IN JULY

Jackson city officials said work will begin by late July on Phase III of the South Old Orchard Road Improvement Project, which will serve as a new north-south route along Interstate 55, with potential to draw in future commercial and industrial business. If built according to schedule, the new section of Old Orchard Road from Bainbridge Road to East Main Street will be completed before Oct. 31, said Rodney Bollinger, Jackson's public works director. Although named Phase III, the section of the new road is actually the fourth of five phases the project must go through. The fully completed Old Orchard Road extension will stretch along I-55 from East Main Street south to Old Cape Road. Bollinger said the final phase of the project should begin in 2012.

P.B. AIRPORT BREAKS GROUND

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce and Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport held a groundbreaking recently for two new hangar buildings, which will total about 8,400 square feet. They will be built just south of the current hangars.

SIKESTON P.D. HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING

SIKESTON, Mo. --The Sikeston Department of Public Safety held a groundbreaking June 27 for its new building at South Kingshighway and Trotter Street. The total cost of the project, to be built by Penzel Construction Co., Jackson, is $4,963,560, reported the Standard Democrat. It will include a finished basement and three-bay maintenance garage. The architectural firm heading the building process is Dille and Traxel, Poplar Bluff, Mo. The department has spent more than 40 years in its current facility, which was built in 1938.

ISLE ANNOUNCES CONTRACTORS FOR CAPE CASINO

A Mississippi company and St. Louis company are teaming up to coordinate construction of Isle of Capri's $125 million Cape Girardeau casino, reported the Southeast Missourian. Isle confirmed the selection of Roy Anderson Corporation, Gulfport, Miss., and S.M. Wilson & Co., St. Louis, as the general contractors on June 27. These companies will be responsible for all aspects of the casino project, including bidding, management and coordination of subcontractors and suppliers. Selection is subject to final documentation, but they will start managing the project immediately and have about 10 employees at the site by July. Isle also announced June 27 that it hired Nip Kelly Equipment, Cape Girardeau, as site preparation contractor. Nip Kelly will be responsible for grading, utilities, concrete work, paving and site lighting. The company has already been working at the site for months with Fronabarger Concreters, Oak Ridge, which was awarded the contract to realign North Main Street around the casino site. Other local contractors involved in the roadwork project are Apex Paving, Cotner Electric, Monroe Plumbing and Roadrunner Safety. To date, Isle has awarded more than $8 million in construction work to Cape Girardeau area contractors, said Dick Meister, Isle's vice president of design and construction. Work on the basin, which will hold the floating casino floor, is tentatively scheduled to begin by mid-July.