Business Notebook: Missouri comes out on top in gross job gains last year

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released business employment dynamics for the state, showing that from March to June last year, gross job gains exceeded gross job losses by more than 12,500 in private sector establishments. Gross job gains totaled 131,513 and gross job losses were 119,004.

"Gross job gains are the sum of increases in employment from expansions at existing establishments and the addition of new jobs at opening establishments," the release said. "Gross job losses are the result of contractions in employment at existing establishments and the loss of jobs at closing establishments."

The difference between the number of gross job gains and gross job losses is the net change in employment, according to the release.

Expanding establishments in Missouri during the three months accounted for more than 111,400 of gross job gains, the release highlighted, but the state's shrinking establishments resulted in more than 99,700 gross job losses.

Establishments that opened in Missouri between March and June 2013 put more than 20,000 toward gross job gains, and establishments that closed brought more than 19,200 gross job losses, the release said.

Business roundup

* The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce has changed the location of its monthly First Friday Coffee networking event to Isle Casino Cape Girardeau's Event Center, 777 N. Main St.

* Pizza Hut will be moving 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 the opportunity to employ more workers.

* Long Shots is moving from 470 S. Kingshighway to a new location in Cape Girardeau. The bar and billiards center on Monday will open at 2106 William St., the former location of Pink Galleon.

* A business license application was filed for 573-Headliners, 111 Independence St. in Cape Girardeau, as a barbershop.

* A business license application was filed for Ronin Academy of Martial Arts, 1029 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, for martial, physical and health instruction.

* A business license application was filed for Bradley Andrews Photography, 2711 Thomas Drive in Cape Girardeau.

Two area ag organizations awarded grants

Farrar Hawthorne 4-H Club in Altenburg, Mo., and Tilsit 4-H Club in Cape Girardeau were awarded grants from the Missouri Department of Agriculture's Building Our American Communities grant program.

Nine chapters of the National FFA Organization and 10 Missouri 4-H clubs in the state were granted funding for community service projects, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Each awardee will receive $500 for its projects for this year, which may include upgrades or additions to existing facilities, grounds or buildings, such as fairgrounds, parks or community centers used by local organizations, the release said.

The Building Our American Communities program has supported 4-H projects since the 1970s. The grants are funded through Missouri's Agriculture Development Fund under an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture.

ashedd@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent addresses:

1015 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO

2106 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO

111 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO

1029 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO

2711 Thomas Dr., Cape Girardeau, MO

777 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO