Memo 3/5/07

Mid-South Wire gets state bond package

The Missouri Department of Economic Development has approved $3 million in tax-exempt bonds to assist the Mid-South Wire Co. in establishing a major manufacturing presence in Southeast Missouri. Mid-South converts raw low-carbon steel to wire for a variety of uses, including appliance-making, material-handling and the automotive industry. The Nashville-based manufacturer will use the bond revenue to build a new facility in Scott City for the production of cold-drawn wire for delivery to customers in the region. Company officials intend to staff the new facility with 25 people from and around Scott City and project creating a total of 60 new positions within five years.

Class on writing business plan offered

A class being offered by the University of Missouri Extension called "The Basics of Writing a Business Plan" is being held at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce at 6 p.m. March 19. The class is sponsored by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce. The class will teach key parts of a business plan while providing guidelines for styles and appearance of the plan. The importance of a business plan will also be covered as well as who needs to write one. To register, call 243-3581. Seating is limited.

State Farm announces $21.8 million dividend

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. announced March 1 its auto insurance policyholders in Missouri will receive dividends totaling $21.8 million. Policyholders will receive 7.3 percent of their semiannual premium. The average dividend per vehicle in Missouri is $22. Dividend payments will begin in early April and will continue throughout the year.

Edward Jones ranked No. 6 for service

The financial services firm Edward Jones is the highest-ranking brokerage firm on BusinessWeek magazine's first-ever ranking of "Customer Service Champs," according to Juanita Penfield, a financial adviser in Cape Girardeau. The St. Louis-based firm ranked No. 6 among 25 national and international companies that, according to the magazine's March 5 edition, are the "best providers of customer service."

-- From staff reports