Business briefs

__SCOTT CITY WELCOMES PLASTIC FIRM, 28 JOBS__

The Missouri Department of Economic Development announced Select Plastics LLC, a custom plastic sheet extrusion manufacturer of Fort Worth, Texas, is expanding to Scott City. The facility will be the company's first expansion outside the Fort Worth area and will create 28 jobs, according to a news release from the agency. Select Plastics' Missouri location will put it closer to its Midwest customer base, the release said.

__SOUTHEAST MISSOURIAN RECEIVES DISTRIBUTION AWARD__

Kohl's presented the Southeast Missourian with a Distribution Excellence Certificate of Achievement for providing an error-free preprint distribution in 2013.

__MEXICAN RESTAURANT OPENS IN POPLAR BLUFF__

Casa Grande, a Mexican restaurant, is now open at 2027 Westwood Blvd. in Poplar Bluff.

__GREGORY TRUCKING HONORED__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Gregory Logistics Inc., a trucking firm in Poplar Bluff with more than 100 employees, was awarded the 2013 Carrier of the Year Award by Evergreen Packaging, the Daily American Republic reported. The company was recognized for its rate of on-time pickups and deliveries, having no claims, and a performance grade of A+, among other things.

__AT&T ACTIVATES NEW CELL SITE IN DOWNTOWN CAPE__

AT&T announced that the new cell site in downtown Cape Girardeau has been activated, and capacity has been added to 14 cell sites in Cape Girardeau. The company has invested about $35 million in wireless and wired networks in Cape Girardeau and Jackson from 2010 through 2013 as part of a $2.55 billion investment in Missouri.

__NURSING PROGRAM EARNS TOP 20 RANKING__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Ingram's Magazine ranked the nursing program at Three Rivers College among the top nursing programs in Missouri and Kansas. The list includes 25 colleges and universities from across the two states, with Three Rivers ranking in the top 20 alongside Southeast Missouri State University, St. Louis University and the University of Missouri-Columbia. Among the top 20, Three Rivers is the only one listed with accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Three Rivers' nursing program also has the lowest in-state tuition among the top 20.

__ICE CREAM SHOP OPENS IN PERRY PLAZA__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- A ribbon cutting was held Feb. 28 for Get the Scoop Ice Cream & Cafe, now open in the Perry Plaza.

__PERRYVILLE CHAMBER ADDS MEMBERS__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce added the following new members: Bret Everett of Coldwell Banker, Frank Hurst of Pizza Hut, Allen Moss of Allen J. Moss Attorney at Law, Katherine L. Cissell of Cissell Transportation Co. LLC, Minnie Schafer of Get the Scoop Ice Cream & Cafe, Ken Baer, Jared Kutz of The Republic-Monitor and Kristi Nitsch with congressman Jason Smith.

__BLOOMSDALE BANK ANNOUNCES NEW NAME__

BLOOMSDALE, Mo. -- The Bank of Bloomsdale announced its new name as Bloomsdale Bank. The bank also has branches in Ste. Genevieve and Crystal City, Mo.

__RIBBON CUTTING HELD FOR WOMEN'S CENTER__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting March 12 for Recycling Grace Women's Center, 601 Apple St. in Poplar Bluff. It is the first recovery center for women in a six-county area.

__JACKSON CHAMBER CUTS RIBBON FOR SIMPLY SWIRLED__

The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Simply Swirled, a frozen yogurt shop at 2480 E. Main St., Suite D. in Jackson.

__DRURY HOTELS RECOGNIZED AS CUSTOMER CHAMPION__

Drury Hotels was one of 50 companies recognized as a J.D. Power 2014 Customer Champion. J.D. Power evaluated more than 600 brands, and 2014 champions were based on customer feedback, opinions and perceptions gathered primarily from syndicated research in 2013 by J.D. Power.

__ROBINSON CONSTRUCTION PROJECT RECOGNIZED BY MAGAZINE__

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Robinson Construction of Perryville contributed to a $1.7 billion project recognized by Engineering News-Record, a weekly magazine that provides news, analysis, data and opinion for the construction industry. The John W. Turk Jr. Power Plant near Fulton, Ark., earned the honor of the magazine's Texas and Louisiana's 2013 Best Project in the energy/industrial category, and the Best Project Excellence in Safety award.

__AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE OFFICE CUTS RIBBON__

A ribbon cutting was held March 14 to celebrate the new location of Kody Thompson's office for American Family Insurance, 1117 Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

__HAIR PORT RELOCATES__

The Hair Port relocated to 310 Christine St. in Cape Girardeau.

__LINDA'S WESTERN STORE CLOSING__

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Linda's Western Store is closing after 35 years of business, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. Linda West Palmer owns the business.

__SOUTHERN BUYS ARKANSAS BANK__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Southern Missouri Bancorp Inc. of Poplar Bluff, the parent company of Southern Bank, announced its acquisition of Citizens State Bankshares of Bald Knob Inc. and its subsidiary, Citizens State Bank. Citizens is headquartered in Bald Knob, Ark., and operates three branch offices in that state.

__SOUTHEAST INTERIOR DESIGN PROGRAM ACCREDITED__

Southeast Missouri State University's bachelor of science in human environmental studies/interior design option has been accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, according to a news release from the university. The accreditation is effective through September 2020.

__STEREO ONE TO CLOSE ENTERTAINMENT DIVISION__

John Selby, owner of Stereo One in Cape Girardeau, announced the closing of the home entertainment division of the business in April. The mobile electronics division and service center of the business will continue. Selby said in a news release that the move is part of a "long-term exit strategy" and he is moving toward spending more time with family. Stereo One also will close Custom Electronics Integration, which includes security, surveillance, lighting control, networking and home automation. The division is interwoven with the home entertainment division, the release said.

__OLD TOWN CAPE PRESENTS AWARDS__

During its annual dinner Feb. 27, Old Town Cape honored those instrumental in the rehabilitation and restoration of downtown Cape Girardeau. Drs. Bert and Mary Ann Kellerman took home two of the six awards Old Town Cape presented at the event, the first being the Judith Ann Crow Residential Historic Rehabilitation Award for the couple's work rehabilitating the Oliver-Leming House, home of the Missouri state flag, at 740 North St. The couple also received the Charles L. Hutson Visionary Award. The Preservation of Heritage Award was given to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents for its work on its $25 million renovation of Academic Hall. Jayson Jewelers and Ervin's Metalsmiths Inc. won the Business Excellence Award. The John Boardman Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation Award went to Clemco Development LLC for its dedication in rehabilitating the A.C. Vasterling building at 407 Broadway. Old Town Cape executive director Marla Mills presented the Volunteer of the Year Award to six people who make up the Cape Riverfront Market executive committee: Ross Peterson and Emily Scifers, Jaime Mayfield, Jim and Barbara Morgan and Levi Olson.

__BOLLINGER COUNTY CHAMBER ADDS NEW MEMBERS__

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The Bollinger County Chamber of Commerce added the following new members in February: Dowd Contracting LLC, owned by Dustin Dowd; Tri-State Recyclers of Sturdivant LLC; Allen Moss Attorney at Law; and Michael E. Gardner. In March, the chamber added the Bollinger County Fall Festival/Fair and Owens' Detailing Services, owned by Greg Owens.

__CHRISMAN TIRE UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP__

DEXTER, Mo. -- Chrisman Tire is now owned by Matt Christian as of Feb. 28, the Dexter Daily Statesman reported. It was previously owned by Lynn Hassell and, before that, her late husband, Terry Hassell. The Christian family has been in the car business for more than 50 years in Dexter as owners of Allen Christian Buick GMC.

__TASTY DRINKS OPENS ON WILLIAM STREET__

Tasty Drinks, 2136 William St., Suite 140 in Cape Girardeau, now is open.

__CARUTHERSVILLE CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS__

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- The Caruthersville Chamber of Commerce presented awards at its annual banquet Feb. 20, The Democrat Argus reported. Awards went to Hill Electric LLC, Small Business of the Year; Trinity Marine, Large Business of the Year; Sally Anne Boutique, New Business of the Year; American Legion, Civic Organization of the Year; Eddie Brooks, Leadership Award; Holly Jayroe, Educator of the Year; Tony Smith, Public Safety Award; and Rogers Van Ausdall, Farmer of the Year. Chamber Awards went to The Store, Hayden Pharmacy and Dr. David Boyd. Past President Awards went to Robert Culler, Nick Cartee and Lauren Brands. The family of Diane Sayre received the Diane Sayre Memorial Leadership Award.

__RIGGS BUILDING SUPPLIES CLOSES__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Riggs Building Supplies and Home Center closed its doors Feb. 28 after nearly 51 years of business in Poplar Bluff, the Daily American Republic reported.

__AREA BUSINESSES WIN TOP AWARDS FROM MARKETING GROUP__

Three local businesses took home Best of Show awards from the Tri-State Advertising and Marketing Professionals annual American Advertising Awards Show Feb. 21 at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. More than 120 print, interactive, broadcast and multimedia advertising projects created, published or aired throughout 2013 in Cape Girardeau, Paducah, Ky., and Harrisburg, Ill., were considered in the competition, according to a news release from the organization. Thirteen gold ADDY awards, 23 silver ADDY awards and 20 bronze ADDY awards were presented to professional organizations, and 19 student ADDY awards were presented to Southeast Missouri State University students, the release said. The Wright Group of Cape Girardeau took home a Best of Show ADDY award in the print division for its Lucent brochure produced for Lucent Window and Door. Red Letter Communications of Cape Girardeau was given a Best of Show ADDY award in the multimedia/broadcast division for its The BOSS Campaign for NewWave Communications. Red Letter Communications also took home the Judges' Choice award for The Strong Case for NorthPark Sales Kit completed for NorthPark. The project also received a gold ADDY award. Saint Francis Medical Center and The Roberts Group of Cape Girardeau were awarded a Best of Show ADDY award in the digital/interactive division for the website redesign for Saint Francis Medical Center. More than 30 Southeast students submitted entries, and student Caitlin Brinker was given the student Best in Show award for her Hangover Hall project completed for a Southeast graphics course. Gold ADDY award winners are eligible to compete in the second level of the three-tiered American Advertising Awards Competition, where judging will take place in March. The Silver Medal Award, which honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the advertising and marketing professions and his or her community, was presented to Johnathan Wright, president and founder of The Wright Group.

__BONNE TERRE CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS__

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- The Bonne Terre Chamber of Commerce held ribbon cuttings for Get It While It's Here Liquidators, 39 W. School St., owned by Ken and Germaine Dolmage; and Domino's Pizza, 48 Berry Road, owned by Steve Wampler and John Gayler.

__KATY O'FERRELL'S BAR NOW OPEN__

Katy O'Ferrell's Publick House, an Irish restaurant at 300 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, has opened its bar.

__CAPE ULTIMATE SKIN CARE CUTS RIBBON__

A ribbon cutting was held March 18 to celebrate the opening of Cape Ultimate Skin Care, 819 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. The business offers a full line of medical skin care and laser services.

__RE-BATH HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING__

A ribbon cutting was held March 19 to celebrate the opening of Re-Bath, 1267 N. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau. The locally owned and operated store is part of a national brand that has remodeled millions of bathrooms worldwide since 1979.

__COTTONS UNLIMITED HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING__

A ribbon cutting was held March 21 to celebrate the opening of Cottons Unlimited Transportation Co., 1267 N. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau. The business serves weddings, home goings, hotels and the general public.

__OLD TOWN CAPE RECEIVES ACCREDITATION__

For the 10th year, Old Town Cape has received accreditation from the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Center and the Missouri Main Street Connection, according to a news release from Old Town Cape. One of six Missouri revitalization programs to be recognized, Old Town Cape met the 10 performance standards and criteria required to be named an accredited Main Street program, the release said. Accreditation assessments were provided by the Missouri Main Street coordinating program, a partner with the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

__NEW ERA BANK ACQUIRES COMMERCE BANK BRANCHES__

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. -- Stephen R. Green, chairman and CEO of New Era Bank, announced an agreement under which New Era Bank will acquire three Commerce Bank branches, the Park Hills Daily Journal reported. The three branches are at 2 E. School St. in Bonne Terre, Mo., 1101 N. Desloge Blvd. in Desloge, Mo., and 1040 E. Karsh Blvd. in Farmington, Mo. New Era Bank anticipates the transaction to be completed by the end of July. New Era Bank, founded in 1934, is a locally owned community bank headquartered in Fredericktown with $273 million in assets. New Era Bank currently has five locations in Fredericktown, Farmington and Park Hills, Mo.

__FIREHOUSE SUBS OPENS IN CAPE__

Firehouse Subs, 3047 William St. in Cape Girardeau, opened March 24. The "fast casual restaurant" displays firefighter memorabilia from the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

__DO IT BEST OPENS RETAIL CENTER IN SIKESTON__

SIKESTON, Mo. -- On March 20, Do it Best Corp. celebrated the opening of a retail service center location at 2600 Rose Parkway in Sikeston.

__ESSENTIAL TRAINED CARE JOINS CHAMBER__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Essential Trained Care, 1111 W. Pine St. in Poplar Bluff, joined the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber held a ribbon cutting with the business on March 26.

__SALVATION ARMY STORE UPGRADES, HOLDS GRAND OPENING__

The Salvation Army Family Store in Jackson held a grand opening in April for its updated store. Salvation Army Capt. Ronnie Amick said the finished product features a new store layout, a fresh coat of interior paint, new management and pricing scale and more products, among a few other updates. The remodel began about three or four months ago to keep the establishment clean and more organized, easier to navigate and more customer friendly, Amick said. The store did not close during remodeling.

__NEW MADRID CHAMBER PRESENTS AWARDS__

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- The New Madrid Chamber of Commerce presented awards at its annual banquet in April. Awards went to Juan Guzman, assistant manager at El Bracero Mexican Restaurant, Business of the Year; Martha Mainord, Educator of the Year; Higgerson School Historic Site, Tourism Award; and Dr. and Mrs. T. Pattaropong, Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, Volunteer Service Awards were presented to Melanie Smith and Marcia Stafford.

__CAPE GIRARDEAU PIZZA HUT TO MOVE__

Pizza Hut will move from its location on South Kingshighway up the street to 1015 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau, next to VFW Post 3838. Its future home is being renovated, and the new location will have a drive-through window for pizza pickup, according to a news release from the restaurant. The move also will allow Pizza Hut to employ more workers.

__LONG SHOTS MOVES TO TOWN PLAZA__

Long Shots moved from 470 S. Kingshighway to a new location in Cape Girardeau. The bar and billiards center is now at 2106 William St., the former location of Pink Galleon.

__HOBBY LOBBY TO OPEN BY END OF MAY__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Hobby Lobby executives hope to open a Poplar Bluff store by the end of May, the Daily American Republic reported. Construction and renovations have begun on the 49,000-square-foot building formerly occupied by Montgomery Ward in the Valley Plaza Shopping Center on North Westwood Boulevard. This is Hobby Lobby's 17th location in Missouri. The store will bring 35 to 50 jobs to the community.

__BOOTHEEL HARLEY-DAVIDSON CHANGES NAME__

Bootheel Harley-Davidson in Scott City changed its name to Lawless Harley-Davidson.

__WINCHESTER HONORED AT CONFERENCE__

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Matt Winchester, Scott County Farm Bureau insurance agent, achieved membership in the Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance Companies' Brokerage P&C Pyramid Club. He is one of the company's top agents qualifying for the award this year. The award was presented during the company's All Star Sales Conference March 6 to 8 in Branson, Mo.

__P.B. CHAMBER HOLDS RIBBON CUTTINGS__

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Essential Trained Care Private Paid Services. The business, owned by Sandy Tolliver, offers nonmedical services, personal care, cleaning, transportation and other services. The chamber also held a ribbon cutting for the Poplar Bluff Regional Giving Circle, which has joined the chamber. The organization is made up of locals who give monetary grants to not-for-profit organizations in the area.