Business Notebook: Real estate market shows another year of growth

Last year marked the third consecutive year for residential real estate market improvement in Cape Girardeau County.

The number of closed residential transactions rose 9.7 percent over 2012, and the average sale price of a Cape Girardeau County home increased 3.3 percent, according to a news release from Realty Executives.

During the last three years, the number of residential homes sold increased 22.4 percent, and the average sale price has risen 13.1 percent, the release said.

Foreclosures and short sales accounted for roughly 10 percent of residential home sold in 2013, less than the national average of 16.2 percent, according to RealtyTrac.

The 2014 market is predicted to continue to see a rise in home prices, but at a slower, steadier pace.

Writing course offered to area business leaders

The University of Missouri -- Cape Girardeau County Extension, Small Business Technology Development Center will offer a course designed to help businessmen and -women increase their impact in marketing communications by improving their writing skills.

The seminar will include general guidelines for presentations, business letters, proposals, grants, business plans and email, according to a news release from the extension office. Other topics that will be covered include how to write for web versus print, style needs for social media effectiveness, as well as how to write for search engines, customer correspondence and the media.

The guest presenter will be Elizabeth Shelton, owner of Write Results Marketing.

The class will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Extension Center, 684 W. Jackson Trail. If the Jackson School District cancels school that day, the course will be canceled and rescheduled.

To register, call 243-3581 or visit missouribusiness.net.

SoutheastHEALTH upgrades clinical labs

SoutheastHEALTH announced recent clinical laboratory upgrades that brought in 11 chemistry analyzers, with six installed in the hospital's main lab, two in the emergency department, one in the Cancer Center lab and two in the Southeast Health Center of Stoddard County in Dexter, Mo.

Chemistry analyzers are used to test blood and body fluid samples, according to a news release from the hospital.

The new technology eliminates the need for lab technicians to manually perform testing processes and decreases biohazard exposures to blood and body fluid, said SoutheastHEALTH laboratory services director Lauren Thomas in the release.

The analyzers also have the capacity to handle the growing volume of lab tests, she said.

"Overall, this equipment has streamlined our chemistry testing," Thomas said in the release.

Roche Diagnostics is the maker of the chemistry analyzers and designated SoutheastHEALTH as a "regional reference site."

Business Roundup

* For the fifth consecutive year, Commerce Bank appeared on Forbes' annual list of America's 10 Best Banks.

* Realty Executives of Cape Girardeau County celebrated its 10th consecutive year of increased sales.

* Cotton's Unlimited Transportation Company in Jackson celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting on Feb. 14.

ashedd@semissourian.com

388-3632