Report lists new, expanding, closing businesses in region

Cape Girardeau County led in new businesses

Largest employment jump in Bonne Terre

suntimesnews.com

PERRYVILLE - Business expansion continued in the Southeast Missouri region into the second quarter of 2002, despite the sluggish national economy, according to the latest report from the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission.

A total of 62 new business starts were reported during April, May and June, while seven business closings were reported, resulting in a net gain of 55 businesses. Twenty-three businesses reported physical or personnel expansions.

Cape Girardeau County led the region with 23 new and 13 expanding businesses reported, followed closely by St. Francois County, which reported 21 new and no expanding businesses.

Perry County had seven new and six expanding businesses; Madison had four new and one expanding business; Iron had three new and one expanding business; and Ste. Genevieve and Bollinger counties each had two new and one expanding business.

Cape Girardeau had four closings, while St. Francois County had two and Ste. Genevieve County had one closing.

Retail and service industry growth continues to account for most new business development occurring in the region.

Of the 62 new businesses reported in the second quarter, 30 were retail operations and 31 provided services of some kind. One new business, classified by the NAIC as a manufacturer, opened in the region during the quarter. Design Ideas, a business which does screen printing and graphic design, opened in Doe Run in St. Francois County.

Approximately 776 jobs were created in the region during the quarter as a result of new business starts.

Business expansions resulted in the creation of 93 jobs, while approximately 41 jobs were lost as the result of business closings.

The largest single jump in employment occurred in Bonne Terre in St. Francois County where the opening of the Missouri Department of Correction's Eastern Missouri Diagnostic and Reception Center has already resulted in the employment of 438 people. The facility is expected to eventually employ approximately 800 people.

An expansion of the Sabreliner Corp. into the former Grandpa's building in Ste. Genevieve in Ste. Genevieve County during the quarter resulted in the creation of 60 additional jobs. The company will be overhauling components of the US Air Force KC-135 aircraft at the facility.

The new businesses in Perry County are Country Charm Emporium, 138 Church Street, Altenburg, offering charms and charm bracelets with one part-time worker, opened on April 27.

Creative Homesmart Realty, 107 West St. Joseph Street, Perryville, real estate services with five full-time and one part-time worker opened May 28.

Club Seven, 18 North Jackson Street, Perryville, teen youth club with two part-time employees opened on May 30.

Disc Funktion, 103B West St. Joseph Street, Perryville, offering new and used CD sales with one part-time worker, opened on June 1.

Moto Mart, 1302 South Perryville Blvd,, Perryville, offering gasoline and convenience items with 10 full-time and two part-time workers opened on June 2.

Galati's Pizza and Pasta,124 South Main Street, Perryville, offering food sales with two full-time and 15 part-time workers opened June 15.

Advance America Cash, 2015 Jefferson Street, Perryville, offering short term loans with three full-time employees, opened on June 15.

Perry County businesses expanding are Keller Motors, 1795 South Perryville Blvd., Perryville, offering automobile sales & service on April 18.

McDonald's Restaurant, 1302 South Perryville Blvd., Perryville, offering food sales with 10 part-time workers on May 15.

Perryville Tire Center, 423 Magnolia Street, Perryville, offering tire sales and service on May 23.

Laurie Womack, M.D. joining Perryville Family Care Clinic 212 Hospital Lane, Perryville, offering health care services on June 3.

Perry County Sheltered Workshop, Perry County Industrial Park, Perryville, offering contracted work for various manufacturers added three full-time employees on June 3.

Perry County Memorial Hospital, 434 North West Street, Perryville, offering medical services on June 30.

The new businesses in Ste. Genevieve County are Alco Store, Plaza Ste. Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve, offering general merchandise sales with 20 full-time and five part-time employees.

Global Communications, 807 Plaza Drive, Suite B, Plaza Ste. Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve, offering Dish network and cellular services with one full-time employee.

The one business expansion in Ste. Genevieve County was Sabreliner Corp., 1040 Rozier Drive, Ste. Genevieve, overhauling components of the United States Air Force KC-135 aircraft added 60 full-time workers on April 4.