Business Notebook: Rhodes 101 offers new price rollback program

Rhodes 101 Stops Convenience Stores and Mercato di Rodi launched its new mobile payment program, based of its Advantages Pay Plus program that allows customers to see a posted price rollback on fuel, according to a news release from Pajco Inc.

The Advantages Pay Plus program allows customers to have purchases debited directly from their checking account.

Gas prices will always rollback to the Advantages Pay Plus price for customers who have signed up for the auto payment program, according to emailed question responses from Keith Boeller, president of PAJCO Inc. The savings will vary depending on competitors' prices.

The system will monitor competitive pricing factors in each town, and gas prices will continually be adjusted based on them, Boeller said.

The Advantages Pay Plus program can be used through the payment card or the Rhodes 101 to Go! mobile app that was launched in February. With the app, customers scan a QR code at the pump to begin fueling. Security features were incorporated in the program to keep customer information safe.

For more information or to fill out an online application, visit Advantages.Rhodes101.com, the Rhodes 101 Stops Facebook page or email questions to mobile@rhodes101.com.

Missouri wins award for attracting investment projects

Missouri was one of four states to receive a Golden Shovel award from Area Development magazine, recognizing it as a top state to attract high-value investment projects in 2013, Gov. Jay Nixon recently announced in a news release.

This is the first time Missouri has received the Golden Shovel award, having received a Silver Shovel award in 2007 and 2012.

"This award is proof positive that with a highly-skilled workforce and favorable tax climate, Missouri has become a national leader in attracting the high-growth high-tech industries of the future," Nixon said in the news release.

More than 125 companies announced expansions in Missouri last year, and nearly 44,000 jobs were added statewide. The magazine cited Missouri's "favorable tax structure" as a main reason for its increasing jobs numbers, according to the release.

The shovel awards are awarded annually, recognizing state economic development agencies that spur "significant job creation and capital investments," the release said. Area Development magazine selects winners based off state's ten largest economic development projects. Missouri received the Golden Shovel award in the 5 to 8 million population category.

USDA offers grants for low-income housing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for up to $3.9 million available in grants to preserve and repair housing for low-income families in rural areas.

The grants, available through the USDA Rural Development's Housing Preservation Grant program, may be used for items such as repairs to resolve health or safety issues or for energy-efficiency improvements to reduce utility costs, according to a news release from the USDA.

Funding is not provided directly to homeowners, and eligible applicants include town or county governments, public agencies and not-for-profit organizations.

"[The] USDA provides grants to qualified organizations so they can help rural homeowners and rental housing owners make repairs and improvements," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in the release. "These grants help families with limited incomes preserve their housing and improve their living conditions.

Applications are due July 28. For more information, visit the June 11 Federal Register online at gpo.gov.

Business roundup

* Esi.comm, 105 Lillian Drive in Sikeston, Missouri, is celebrating its 30-year anniversary. The company offers security, telecommunications and networking products and services.

* Independence Place, a bar and nightclub at 5 S. Henderson Ave. in Cape Girardeau, is under new ownership by True Color Investments LLC, according to a recently filed business license application at Cape Girardeau's city hall.

* Kitchen Gizmos and Gadgets and Model Train Gizmos and Gadgets, both to be at 110 Themis St. in Cape Girardeau, recently filed business license applications with the city of Cape Girardeau.

ashedd@semissourian.com

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