Business Notebook: AT&T adding 40 jobs to Southeast Missouri

It was announced Wednesday that AT&T is hiring about 40 new employees in Southeast Missouri.

The company is hiring in Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Poplar Bluff, Farmington.

The reason for the increase in jobs is because of AT&T's ongoing 4G LTE rollout. The company has upgraded 17 mobile Internet cell sites in Ste. Genevieve, Perry and Cape Girardeau counties to expand AT&T 4G LTE coverage for residents and businesses. There are 10 cell sites along Interstate 55, expanding AT&T's 4G LTE availability for drivers between Cape Girardeau and St. Louis, a news release said.

There are 30 jobs available for call-center representatives in Cape Girardeau, where employees for U-verse Solutions Leveraged Service Representative will handle customer care for U-verse integrated digital TV, high-speed Internet and voices services.

Positions for 10 retail sales consultants are available in company-owned stores in Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Poplar Bluff and Farmington.

These jobs offer health care and 401(k) contribution matching. New employees will receive paid training and on-the-job support, a news release said.

AT&T launched its 4G LTE network in Cape Girardeau a year ago.

In the first four months this year, AT&T hired 95 workers in Southeast Missouri and 375 in Missouri, the release said.

Interested applicants can find more details on qualifications and apply online at att.jobs.

Missouri Chamber supports new law to protect small businesses

On Tuesday, Gov. Jay Nixon approved a law protecting companies from patent infringement scams.

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce advocated this measure, known as Senate Bill 706, which was sponsored by state Sen. Mike Cunningham, a Republican from Marshfield.

The legislation addresses a growing industry led by "patent trolls" who purchase rights to old patents and look for companies producing similar products they can sue for patent infringement. By doing this the sued companies often settle out of court for about $50,000 than engage in a costly court fight.

According to the news release, Missouri chamber president Dan Mehan said the "hardest hit are small startups and technology companies that do not have the means to withstand a lengthy, multimillion dollar court battle."

Mehan supported the governor and the General Assembly for implementing these protections to support employers.

This act creates a seven-factor test a court would consider when determining whether a person has made a bad-faith assertion of patent infringement, the release said.

If a person or business believes it has been a target of a bad-faith assertion of patent infringement upon receiving a demand letter, the person shall have a private right to a cause of action. Upon a finding by a court a person has made a bad-faith assertion of patent infringement, the court allows the target to recover certain damages.

The news release also said U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill is pushing legislation to address the problem of patent trolling on the federal level.

Southeast Hospital opens new neonatal ICU

Southeast Hospital moved five babies into its new neonatal intensive care unit Tuesday.

Replacing an older facility, the new unit consists of eight single-family suites. The well-baby nursery and family waiting room also were renovated.

The area is designed to keep noise levels to a minimum and includes subdued lighting. The unit has a "world-class neonatal monitoring system," according to a release from Southeast Hospital.

Another new feature is a NICVIEW camera system. Funded by the SoutheastHEALTH Auxiliary, it provides a secure video link for families to check on their infants around the clock.

Isle of Capri makes management changes

Isle of Capri Casinos announced the following changes to its management Thursday:

The position of executive chairman of the board of directors, held by Jim Perry, has been eliminated. Perry continues to serve as a member of the board of directors. Robert Goldstein, vice chairman of the board of directors, has been named chairman of the board of directors.

Additionally, the position of chief strategic officer, held by Eric Hausler, has been eliminated, and Hausler has been named Isle of Capri's chief financial officer. Hausler succeeds Dale Black, who served as CFO since 2007 and is leaving Isle of Capri to pursue other interests.

Kohl's gives scholarship

Kohl's Cares Scholarship Program recently awarded Cape Girardeau resident Karsyn Connell, 11, a $1,000 scholarship for having a positive effect through her volunteerism.

Kohl's awards nearly 200 youth volunteers with $1,000 scholarships through the Kohl's Cares program and by doing so qualifies them for $10,000 in total scholarships through the Kohl's program.

Connell operates her business, Karsyn's Domino Designs for Dogs, where she sells necklaces, magnets, key chains and Christmas ornaments made of dominoes, in her grandmother's Somewhere in Time Antiques store, which is in Cape Girardeau. She donates the money to the SEMO Animal Rescue Alliance in Lilbourn, Missouri.

She has raised about $3,000 for the animal shelter since 2013.

Connell was chosen from more than 37,000 nominees nationwide.

Winners are chosen based on initiative, leadership, generosity and project benefits and outcome, a Kohl's news release said. In total, Kohl's will recognize more than 2,300 young volunteers with nearly $400,000 in scholarships and prizes.

Business Roundup

* Merrill Lynch Wealth Management the Ozbun, Deimund, Beckham Group at 1371 N. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau had a ribbon-cutting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

* The Recovery Room at 1611 Independence St. changed ownership. It now is owned by June Trovillion, and reopened July 1.

* Stylist Jo Ann Mirly's recently was granted permission to sell retail products at Hair Port, which is at 310 Christine St. in Cape Girardeau.