Regional Planning Commission releases business report

suntimesnews.com

PERRYVILLE - Business expansion continued in the Southeast Missouri region during the third quarter of 2002, despite the continuing stagnation of the national economy.

The Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission has released its latest report of business development in the region.

A total of 79 new business starts were reported during July, August and September, while 10 business closings were reported, resulting in a net gain of 69 businesses. Ten businesses reported physical or personnel expansions.

There were three new businesses in Perry County and one closing. Four new businesses were reported in Ste. Genevieve County with two closing.

Twelve new jobs were gained in Perry County with the reopening of Galati's Restaurant at 124 North Main Street in Perryville on July 1.

Two other businesses opened in Perryville during the period. Mark Barber Drafting opened at 1046 Edgemont. Rachelle's House of Style opened at 306 North Kingshighway.

Five full-time jobs were lost in Perryville with the closing of Perryville Oliver Co. on Sept. 28.

Sixty-five jobs were created in Ste. Genevieve County with the opening of four new businesses during the period. Sabreliner Corp. opened a KC-135 overhaul plant in the old GrandPa's building on Aug. 4, creating 60 full-time jobs.

The Little Choice Café opened July 10 at 130 North Main St., Ste. Genevieve Pipe Co. opened Aug. 5 and Easy Money Pay Day Loans opened Aug. 15 at 718 Ste.Genevieve Drive.

Thirteen jobs were lost in Ste. Genevieve with the closing of Huck's Market on Aug. 14 and the Creole House Bed and Breakfast on Sept. 25.

Cape Girardeau County led the region with 38 new businesses reported, followed by St. Francois County, which reported 21 new businesses.

Retail and service industry growth continues to account for most new business development occurring in the region. Of the 79 new businesses reported in the third quarter, 32 were retail operations and 45 provided services of some kind.

Two new businesses, classified by the NAIC as manufacturers, opened in the region during the quarter.

Eagle Waterjet Inc., a company that manufactures waterjet cutting tool components, opened in Bonne Terre in St.

Francois County. The company currently has three employees.

A new facility of Sabreliner Corp. also opened in the former Grandpa's Store building in the Trautman Industrial Park in Ste. Genevieve. The company, which will employ 60 people, overhauls components of the U.S. Air Force KC-135 aircraft.

During the quarter, Thorngate Ltd., a company that manufactures men's business attire in Cape Girardeau, announced it would increase its output and employ an additional 50 workers. The company credited a resurgence in the sale of formal business wear for the workforce expansion.

On the down side, Allegiance Health, a company which packages surgical trays for medical facilities announced it was closing, resulting in the loss of 60 full-time and 70 part-time jobs. The company was located in the Farmington Industrial Park in St. Francois County.

Approximately 497 jobs were created in the region during the quarter as a result of new business starts. Business expansions resulted in the creation of 58 jobs, while approximately 162 jobs were lost as the result of business closings.