Memo 7/16/07

Disaster assistance for businesses available

Small, nonfarm businesses that suffered economic losses as a result of the hard freeze in early April are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans, the Small Business Administration announced last week. The announcement makes small businesses in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Scott and Perry counties in Missouri as well as Alexander and Union counties in Illinois eligible for loans of up to $1.5 million to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that would have been met if the freezing weather had not occurred. The loans, at 4 percent for up to 30 years, are restricted to small businesses without the means to offset the adverse impact of the weather without hardship. The late, long-lasting harsh weather sent temperatures plummeting into the upper teens at night for several days following an exceptionally warm period in March. Farm losses in fruit crops and wheat were especially heavy, and farmers in the region are also eligible for emergency loans. For information and application forms, call (800) 659-2955 or visit the SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Wi-Fi expansion at Southeast Hospital

Southeast Missouri Hospital has expanded the availability of its wireless Internet services, spokeswoman Sally Owen announced last week. Service is now available throughout the hospital, as well as the Southeast Medical Plaza office building, the Regional Cancer Center and HealthPoint Plaza fitness center. The hospital began providing limited wireless access nearly a year ago in just a few areas of the hospital.

Trucking company opens new location

Britton Trucking Inc. of Mounds, Ill., will open a new facility at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the Pulaski County Development Association Business Park. The company, which employs 10 people, is owned by Brent and Kristi Britton and is planning to expand its work force after moving into the new facility. The new 4,800-square-foot facility will include a two-bay shop for truck repairs. Britton trucking specializes in long-haul movement of goods. The company had been operating out of the Brittons' home, but growth required a new location. The grand opening will take place at the business park at Exit 8 on Interstate 57.

MU scholarship named for former Cape resident

The Leucadia National Corporation honored former top executive Robert P. Brock by making a gift of $100,000 to the University of Missouri-Columbia. Brock, who died in March, was a 1949 graduate of MU who worked for Commercial Credit in Cape Girardeau before moving to Memphis, Tenn., where he rose to be CEO of City Finance Co. The Robert P. Brock Fund in Financial Excellence will provide scholarships to students studying finance.

-- From staff reports