Business Notebook: Employers add jobs; jobless rate increases

The Missouri Department of Economic Development recently released data showing Missouri employers added 1,300 jobs in February, though the state's unemployment rate rose to 6.4 percent.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.7 percent during the same month, according to a news release from the agency.

Harsh winter weather during the last three months likely affected labor markets, the release said.

February also showed a rebound in the construction industry from January, rising by 2,900 jobs, according to the release. Retail trade employment and the management of companies industry also gained over 1,000 jobs.

Missouri's labor force grew by more than 12,000 workers in the first two months of the year, the release said.

Health-insurance enrollment numbers continue to rise

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released health-insurance marketplace numbers for February, showing the number of enrollees continues to rise.

More than 4.2 million Americans have signed up for health-insurance plans through the online marketplace as part of the Affordable Care Act, according to a news release from the agency. About 943,000 of those enrollees enrolled during February.

About 63 percent of enrollees are choosing the silver plan, which is above bronze and below gold and platinum in terms of medical care costs covered, and 83 percent of those enrolled are eligible to receive financial assistance.

"Based on enrollment patterns in other health-care programs, it is expected that more people will sign up as we get closer to the March 31 deadline," the release said.

Three-day business course offered

Hendrickson Business Advisors, 1729 William St. in Cape Girardeau, in June will offer a unique Dale Carnegie business course open to the public.

Normally is spread between eight weeks, the three-day Dale Carnegie Immersion Course will teach participants how to "master the skills needed to excel in today's competitive workplace," according to a news release from Hendrickson Business Advisors.

Participants will develop skills to become persuasive communicators, creative problem-solvers, intelligent risk-takers and confident and enthusiastic leaders, the release said.

Rhett Hendrickson, an internationally endorsed Dale Carnegie trainer who has trained Fortune 500 Companies throughout the U.S., will facilitate the course.

It will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 24 through 26 at the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce office, 1267 N. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau.

To register or for more information, visit HendricksonBusinessAdvisors.com, call 335-1885 or email info@hendricksonbusinessadvisors.com.

Business roundup

* The owner of Stereo One, 345 S. Kingshighway 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.

"A long-term exit strategy is simply playing out," said owner John Selby in a news release. " My goal was to expand the business to several markets, sell off those remote locations, and spend my final active years in Cape Girardeau emphasizing quality vs. quantity. We've done all of the above, and it's time to spend 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.

* Firehouse Subs, 3047 William St. in Cape Girardeau, opens today. The "fast casual restaurant" will feature firefighter memorabilia from the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

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