Business notebook: Survey suggests slowdown in Midwest's economy

OMAHA, Neb. -- A new survey suggests the economy will slow in rural parts of 10 Western and Plains states in the months ahead, including Missouri and Illinois, the Associated Press reported.

Economist Ernie Goss of Creighton University in Omaha said weak crop and energy prices are hurting profits across the region.

The Rural Mainstreet Index dipped into negative territory at 49 in September from August's 50. Any score below 50 suggests that factor will decline.

Farmers are delaying big purchases, if they can, because of the environment. The farm-equipment sales index remained at 14.2 in September.

Bankers from Missouri, Illinois, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

In late August, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said low grain, milk and hog prices cut farm income, making for a less-profitable year. Net farm income is expected to decline 36 percent to $58.3 billion, down from last year's $91.1 billion, the lowest net farm income in nine years.

Marble Hill license office pact up for bid

The Missouri Department of Revenue has announced the Missouri Office of Administration is accepting management contract bids for the Marble Hill, Missouri, license office.

Individuals and groups that are interested must submit bids by Oct. 13. Bids will be evaluated on areas such as expertise of the personnel proposed, proposed methods of service and whether the individual or group is a not-for-profit organization, a political subdivision, a Missouri Certified Minority Business Enterprise, a Women Business Enterprise or a Missouri Service-Disabled Veteran Enterprise.

The Marble Hill license office handled more than 17,000 transactions in fiscal 2015, generating $58,120 in agent processing fees, according to a release from the Department of Revenue.

Catapult issues call for product

Catapult Creative House, 612 Broadway, is hosting a Call for Product from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 2.

Those who make a product or are avid crafters and pinners with items to sell are encouraged to bring samples to the store.

If the store managers like the product, it could be sold through Catapult Creative House. Do not bring food, because the store cannot buy it.

To sign up for a spot and get more information, email store manager Ashley Lokey at amlokey1s@semo.edu.

Saint Francis wins award

Saint Francis Medical Center has won the Mission: Lifeline Bronze Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality-improvement measures as outlined by the American Heart Association for patients suffering severe heart attacks.

The Mission: Lifeline program's goal is to reduce system barriers in heart-attack treatment, according to a news release from Saint Francis.

The medical center earned the award by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients by providing emergency procedures to establish blood flow in blocked arteries.

Kander visits Cape businesses

Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander visited Cape Girardeau and St. Louis on Friday as part of his statewide tour of businesses.

His stops in Cape Girardeau were Catapult Creative House and Botkin Lumber, according to a news release from Kander's office.

Catapult launched in May as a creative arts and industry incubator. Botkin Lumber Co. is a full-service, family-owned business that first started as a small hardwood sawmill in Farmington, Missouri, in 1951, according to the company's website.

Kander's previous tour stops included Springfield, St. Joseph and Hamilton, Missouri, the release said.

Ribbon cuttings

• Lintner Law Firm, 21 N. Walnut St., Perryville, Missouri, held a ribbon cutting Tuesday.
• Nicole Dirnberger Agency, State Farm, 2905 E. Jackson Blvd., Jackson, held a ribbon cutting Thursday.
• Aire Solutions, 2355 Rust Ave., Cape Girardeau, held a ribbon cutting Friday.

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3642