Business Notebook: Low-cost marketing education offered for small businesses

Small businesses needing help figuring out how to get the most out of their advertising dollar can find an inexpensive option through a class planned for November in Perryville, Missouri.

The University of Missouri Extension Small Business Technology Development Center will hold a class called "Marketing? Think Before You Spend" at 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at the extension office. The class is part of the center's core classes program for small businesses and will cover how businesses can ensure their messages are getting to the right audiences through advertising, along with the basics of marketing research, competitive analysis, customer service, pricing and promotions, according to a news release from the extension office.

"It is important for small business owners to realize marketing is not an overnight fix," said Richard Proffer, the extension's business development specialist, in the release. "This class will help them use their time wisely in deciding what their message should be, how to communicate that message and then measure the results of that effort."

The cost of the class is $40 if registration is completed before Nov. 12, and $50 after. Registrations can be made by calling 243-3581.

Consumers warned about cleaning scam

The Better Business Bureau's St. Louis office is advising consumers to be aware of possible scams involving companies pushing air duct cleaning services in Missouri and Illinois.

Complaints are mounting that some companies are "offering low-cost cleaning deals and then billing consumers hundreds or thousands of dollars more for questionable or unnecessary work," a release from the BBB stated. Some consumers also are reporting receiving high-pressure sales calls from companies, even though they are on a Do Not Call list.

More information on the possible scams, including how to file a complaint report, is available online at bbb.org/stlouis.

Saint Francis to break ground in Dexter

A joint venture between Saint Francis Healthcare System and Lifepoint Development LLC will bring a new health-care facility to Dexter, Missouri.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the facility is set for 3 p.m. Wednesday at U.S. 60 Outer Road and Harris Drive in Dexter. The facility will offer cancer and heart specialists, imaging and lab services, primary and urgent care, outpatient rehabilitation and a Fitness Plus. The campus is scheduled to be complete in 2016. Later this fall, residents will have access to the services in a temporary location in Dexter while construction is underway, according to a news release from Saint Francis.

SEMO Health Network earns award

SEMO Health Network recently was honored by the Missouri Primary Care Association at an awards luncheon in Branson, Missouri. The network was awarded a bronze level award for reaching a standardized national goal percentage on clinical measures set by the association's medical director network. This year's measures, according to a news release from the network, included diabetes control, hypertension control, cervical cancer screening, weight assessment and counseling for children and adolescents, childhood immunizations, tobacco use assessment and tobacco cessation intervention.

Isle holding contest for not-for-profits

Not-for-profit organizations can compete for a share of a $50,000 prize in Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. Community Aces Challenge, a contest that asks for submissions of photos and essays that pitch projects to benefit communities where the casinos are.

Organizations can submit applications online until Dec. 15, and a two-phase voting process will be held on Facebook during February and March, according to a news release.

Two $15,000 and two $10,000 grants will be awarded.

More information is available online at communityaceschallenge.com.

Business roundup

• SafeSpot Self Storage, a climate-controlled storage unit facility, is operating at 867 N. Clark Ave. in Cape Girardeau. The facility is owned by Randy Sparkman. More information is available by calling 334-7768.
• Ciao, a new Italian restaurant, opens today at 1650 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant is open for private parties only on Sundays. More information is available by calling 332-0980.
• Cape Imaging at 3065 William St. in Cape Girardeau now is Auburn Park Imaging. The company changed names in September. Services offered include X-rays, ultrasounds and MRI and CT scans.

Business licenses

Family Dollar, 736 William St., Cape Girardeau, is under the management of David R. Styka, and lists an opening date of Nov. 6.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3632