Business briefs

SEMO EXPRESS GETS SILVER AWARD

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Semo Express LLC received a Silver Award from Great West Casualty Co. as part of the 2011 National Safety Awards Program. The program recognizes carriers with awards based on their year-end preventable accident results.

HIGGERSON VISITOR CENTER OPENS

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- The New Madrid Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the Higgerson School Historic Site's new visitor center on Main Street. The 3,200-square-foot building sits across from the school and features the Higgerson Landing Gift Shop and a museum.

CHRISTIAN STORE OPENS IN JACKSON

Philanthropy opens in Cape Girardeau.

Simply Lovely Artistry & His Blessings Books opened at 3184 High St., at Hubble Creek Antiques in Jackson. The shop features crafts, collectibles, girls clothing and accessories, home decor and Christian books. Sara Bohnert of Altenburg, Mo., owns the store. A ribbon cutting was held May 30.

UNITED RENTALS ACQUIRES RSC HOLDINGS

United Rentals Inc. completed its acquisition of RSC Holdings Inc., which has a location at 2050 Southern Expressway in Cape Girardeau. The Cape location has eight employees who will remain in their current positions.

BOLD TAKES HOME HEALTH MARKETING AWARD

BOLD Marketing of Cape Girardeau received a Bronze Award in the 29th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards competition. Nearly 4,000 entries were received in the competition, making it the largest health care advertising awards competition. A national panel of judges reviewed entries based on creativity, quality, message effectiveness, consumer appeal, graphic design and overall impact. BOLD earned the bronze recognition for the Landmark Hospital brochure project, within the specialty hospitals category.

SADI TO EXPAND IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence will open a new service center this fall in a former car dealership, the Southeast Missourian reported. The former Cape GMC Pontiac dealership building on Kingshighway, near Highway 74 in Cape Girardeau, will be transformed into a place where those with disabilities can receive assistance with everything from finding a job to modifying their vehicle. SADI will use its existing Cape Girardeau site to house administrative personnel, while moving its independent living and transportation services to its new facility, said executive director Maryann "Miki" Gudermuth. Work on the new facility is expected to begin in July and be completed around Thanksgiving, Gudermuth said. The six-acre site includes two buildings, and one will be used strictly for transportation services. New offices and meeting rooms will be part of the layout, and SADI's nursing home transition services will move to the new site. Several employees will be added once the new facility is open, Gudermuth said. In-home services, deaf and hard-of-hearing services, accounting and payroll will remain in SADI's existing Cape Girardeau location.

BAKERY TO OPEN IN TOWN PLAZA

After becoming a hit at the Saturday morning farmers market in Cape Girardeau, Sugar Buzz Bakery will open a permanent location in Town Plaza, the Southeast Missourian reported. Owner Nicole Huff, a Cape Girardeau native, started Sugar Buzz Bakery in Clarksville, Tenn., two years ago. She is now relocating and bringing her business with her. The Clarksville bakery will remain open under the management of Huff's business partner. In mid-August Sugar Buzz Bakery will open at 47 Plaza Way offering cupcakes, cream horns, cookies, European macaroons, truffles, cake balls and cake pops for sale daily. Custom cakes and cupcakes are Sugar Buzz's specialty.

GROOMING BUSINESS CUTS RIBBON

DESLOGE, Mo. -- V.I. Pups Grooming, 2 A Embry Drive, held a ribbon cutting June 5 with the Desloge Chamber of Commerce. Owner Tanya Naumann has 25 years of dog grooming experience.

SECURITY FINANCE OPENS NEW OFFICE

LEADINGTON, Mo. -- Security Finance held a ribbon cutting for its new site at 109 St. Francis Plaza in Leadington.

KENNETT GROCERY STORE REOPENS

KENNETT, Mo. -- A ribbon cutting was held June 13 for Country Mart, which reopened June 11 at 1618 St. Francis St. in Kennett, the Daily Dunklin Democrat reported. Earlier this year, Sargent Construction Co. of Fredericktown, Mo., started construction on the approximately 30,000-square-foot building that would become the home of Country Mart, the new incarnation of the former Town and Country supermarket.

Century 21 Premier Realty in Sikeston received a certificate of appreciation from USDA Rural Development.

C21 HONORED BY USDA

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Century 21 Premier Realty in Sikeston received a certificate of appreciation from USDA Rural Development. The recognition is for outstanding service that the real estate agents provide in helping clients find affordable homes and appropriate financing, and for using USDA Rural Development's Home Loan Programs.

BANK OF MISSOURI EXPANDS TO BRANSON

The Bank of Missouri, headquartered in Perryville, Mo., opened a loan and deposit production office in Branson, Mo. This location marks the bank's sixth location in the southwest market. The office opened under the leadership of David Cook, along with Sandy Bruns, vice president and senior commercial lender; Tammy Panter, vice president and commercial lender; and Sandy Mincks, branch operations officer.

ROSS FURNITURE RELOCATES

Ross Furniture moved from its longtime location at 116 S. High St. in Jackson to 310 E. Jackson Blvd., a one-level building with 5,000 more square feet of showroom space. Eddie Ross, owner of Ross Furniture, said the move allowed them to add enough new inventory to add a warehouse position to the staff. Ross Furniture had operated in Uptown Jackson since 1979.

PHILANTHROPY OPENS IN CAPE

Bridgette Kielhofner opened Philanthrophy, a store that pledges 10 percent of its sales to charity, at 407 Broadway in Cape Girardeau. The store opened June 18 and is the first franchised store based on the flagship location in Franklin, Tenn. Through the sale of apparel, jewelry, home decor and gift items, Philanthropy has donated more than $247,000 to charities since Christina Martin founded the company in 2007. In addition to supporting 32 different charities, Philanthropy owns 160 acres in Biong, South Sudan, where proceeds from the store help with community development including constructing wells, schools and churches.

FOOD PANTRY HAS NEW NAME

SIKESTON, Mo. -- The Sikeston Food Pantry changed its name to Good Neighbor Pantry, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. According to Missy Rice, agency relations and program director for the Southeast Missouri Food Bank, the pantry is now set up like a grocery store where clients can choose the items they need. The pantry has also added personal care items and a special time slot for caregivers.

COMMUNITY COUNSELING APARTMENTS NEARLY COMPLETE

Construction crews are nearly finished with a Cape Girardeau apartment complex designed to help those struggling with mental illness. The vision for the Boehme-Hinni Apartments at 549 N. Silver Springs Road came from watching Community Counseling Center clients fail to find adequate housing, said John Hudak, executive director of the Cape Girardeau not-for-profit group. The $1.4 million project -- 10 one-bedroom units in two buildings -- is scheduled for completion in late July or early August. It's funded through a Section 811 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The building is Energy Star-certified and incorporates energy-efficient LED lighting, insulation and appliances to help lower utility bills, said Larry Ream, director of facilities for the Community Counseling Center. Hudak said the location helps residents because it is near health care services, shopping and bus transportation.

BANK OF MISSOURI SEEKS PURCHASE OF SB&T

Increasing costs associated with new banking regulations have prompted Security Bank and Trust, headquartered in Scott City, to agree to a merger with The Bank of Missouri. Reliable Community Bancshares Inc., parent company of The Bank of Missouri, headquartered in Perryville, Mo., has entered into an agreement for the merger and acquisition of The First Southeast Missouri Bancorporation Inc., the holding company for Security Bank and Trust. Security Bank and Trust, an independent bank with $80 million in assets, has two locations in Scott City, as well as branches in Cape Girardeau, Marble Hill and Patton, Mo. The proposed merger is subject to the approval of the shareholders of The First Southeast Missouri Bancorporation Inc. and regulatory authorities. The Bank of Missouri anticipates the merger will occur in the fourth quarter of this year. David Crader, CEO of The Bank of Missouri, said all five branches acquired will remain open with no staffing changes planned.

HEFNER'S COMPLETES EXPANSION

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the expansion of Hefner's Fine Furniture.

NEW HANGAR OPENS IN P.B.

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Members of the Poplar Bluff Airport Board hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the airport's new hangar building, which houses jets belonging to local businesses.

HAMPTON INN COMING TO CAPE GIRARDEAU

Mid-America Hotels Corp. will build a Hampton Inn in Cape Girardeau next year. The 80-room hotel will be on the south side of the company's Park West Hospitality Center at the corner of Interstate 55 and William Street. The complex already includes the Holiday Inn Express and Auburn Place Hotel, both operated by Mid-America Hotels Corp. The new hotel, which brings Mid-America's total number of hotel rooms from 235 to 315, is scheduled to open in 2014, said John Echimovich, director of operations for the hotel division of Mid-America. The new hotel will bring the number of hotel rooms in Cape Girardeau to 986.

STARBUCKS, SUBWAY COMING TO SOUTHEAST CAMPUS

A planned expansion of dining services in fall 2012 at Southeast Missouri State University will include the addition of two well-known national chains and more seating in the University Center. The Beanery Cafe now in the University Center will be replaced by a full-service Starbucks during the fall semester. A Subway restaurant will be added in space at the Scully Building that formerly housed the university's Center for Child Studies. Southeast's board of regents approved an agreement with Chartwells, the contract company that provides dining services to campus, during a meeting June 20. The agreement includes $4.1 million in improvements and expansions to dining facilities in several areas on campus during 2012 and 2013, according to a project cost model university officials presented to the board. Chartwells agreed to fund $3.2 million for projects and the university will cover the remainder. Renovations to the dining room on the third floor of the University Center will include a newly constructed seating area for 120 to 150 people, said Kathy Mangels, Southeast's vice president of finance and administration. Plans call for the Subway location and dining room renovations to be completed during the fall semester. Towers cafeteria will also receive $1 million in renovations in 2013. Plans call for seating expansion and more food options.

WELLS FARGO CUTS RIBBON

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage held a ribbon cutting June 15 for its office at 1812 Carondalet Drive in Cape Girardeau.

SEARCH FOR MAGNET DIRECTOR POSTPONED

The search for a new executive director for the area's economic development agency, Cape Girardeau Area Magnet, has been postponed. After an extensive search, the Magnet board of directors and the search committee it appointed determined that neither of the two finalist candidates meet the qualifications for the position. Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO John Mehner will continue to serve as interim director. Former Magnet executive director Mitch Robinson left in April to become executive director of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Economic Development Council in Hopkinsville, Ky. The Magnet board voted at its December meeting not to renew Robinson's annual contract.

FROZEN YOGURT SHOP TO OPEN IN CAPE

Simply Swirled, a self-serve frozen yogurt shop, will open at 236 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, directly below McAlister's Deli in the Lorimont Place complex. Customers will choose their frozen yogurt flavors and then choose from dozens of toppings. Simply Swirled will include indoor and outdoor seating as well as a gathering room for large groups. The business, owned by Angela Schlitt, Lori Laramore and Allyson Leckie, is set to open by the end of August.

PIZZERIA OPENS IN BONNE TERRE

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- Bada Bang Pizzeria is now open at 522 Benham, Suite B in Bonne Terre.

VOLVO RENTS COMING TO CAPE GIRARDEAU

The former Delta Express Trucking building on the Interstate 55 East Outer Road will be the new location of Volvo Rents. The national equipment rental company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Volvo Group. Each of its rental centers offers equipment for the construction, commercial and industrial markets, as well as an extensive line of Volvo compact excavators, compactors, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, compaction equipment and skid steer loaders. The new Cape Girardeau operation at 2520 E. Outer Road will have 10,700 square feet of space to house a showroom, operation office, parts and service shop area. The company will have nearly 7 acres of yard area to display and store equipment. Gerald Wachter will serve as branch manager.

EAST PERRY LUMBER GETS LOGGER AWARD

FROHNA, Mo. -- Employees of East Perry Lumber Co. in Frohna were named Missouri Logger of the Year by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The award recognizes professionalism and quality work done by top-notch tree harvesting operations.

SUBWAY OPENS NEW LOCATION

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Subway's new location at 1341 N. Westwood Blvd.

BAGGER DAVE'S HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING

Bagger Dave's, a new restaurant at 2106 William St. in Cape Girardeau, held a ribbon cutting June 26.

EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT CUTS RIBBON

Express Employment Professionals, 97 N. Kingshighway, Suite 7 in Cape Girardeau, held a ribbon cutting June 25.