STRICTLY BUSINESS: FIRST-EVER: STATE 'INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR' AWARDS PLANNED

Businesses and industries of the year awards abound throughout the state, from small communities to the larger metropolitan areas, where chambers of commerce and economic development groups select top businesses each year.

Ten industries have received the "Commitment of Excellence" award in Cape Girardeau over the past decade. The annual fall award is designed to honor the "Industry of the Year."

A "Small Business of the Year" award has been honored during the past eight years in Cape Girardeau.

For the first time, in 1999, a statewide "Missouri Industry of the Year" program is being planned, by the Associated Industries of Missouri.

Nominations for the new program are being accepted, said Chris Long, AIM president, and a member of the Missouri Industry of the Year Awards Committee.

"We want to celebrate the contribution that Missouri industry makes to the economic success of the State fo Missouri," said Long. "AIM has organized a program dedicated to showcasing the innovations, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and economic success of Missouri Industry in 1999" -- AIM's 80th year of existence.

John Mehner, president and CEO of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, is impressed with the AIM project.

"We'll certainly take a look at it," said Mehner. "We have some businesses and industries from our area that are eligible."

AIM's program will include awards in three categories:

-- Employers of 50 or fewer Missouri-based employees.

-- Employers of 51 to 250 Missouri-based employees.

-- Employees with 251 or more Missouri-based employees.

The awards will be announced April 12, during a banquet at Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, sponsored by AIM, the Mid-Missouri Business Journal and the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Awards will be presented by Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan, or a representative named by the governor, including Long; Joe Driskill, director of Missouri Department of Economic Development; and Tom Garner, editor of the Mid-Missouri Business Journal.

Nominations for the awards must be received at AIM offices, 411 Jefferson St., P.O. Box 1709, Jefferson City, by 4:30 p.m. March 12.

Criteria include business, resources and personal leadership skills in making a contribution to the area where the business is located; leadership role in former cooperative partnerships with local schools and involvement in legislative issues that impact Missouri businesses and industry, and dedication to the employer community via participation in organization that advance business and industry.

Additional information and nomination forms are available by contacting Long, John Jones or Annette Wallace at (573)-634 2246.

Some impressive names dot the two lists of businesses and industries honorees in Cape Girardeau over the past decade.

A quick preview:

"Industry of the Year:"

-- 1988: General Sign Co., largest custom sign maker in Missouri.

-- 1989: Lone Star Industries' Cape Girardeau cement plant produces about 1.1 million tons of cement annually.

-- 1990: Procter & Gamble Paper Products. P&G is involved in a $35 million construction and expansion program.

-- 1991: Biokyowa Inc., recently announced two major plant expansions (about $100 million) for increased production of new product

-- 1992: Concord Publishing House Inc., operates daily and weekly newspapers in seven states, including the Southeast Missourian.

-- 1993: Dana Corp. started production in Cape Girardeau in 1990 with 20 employees, now has more than 400.

-- 1994: Florsheim Shoe Co.'s employment is at 350 employees. Florsheim has recently experienced an increase in production, at more than 2,800 pairs of shoes a day.

-- 1995: Spartech Corp., has more than 35 plastic-producing facilities, including two at Cape Girardeau.

-- 1996: -- Thorngate, manufacturer of men's suits and sports coats, produces about 6,000 suits and coats a week.

-- 1997: M&W Packaging U.S.A, Inc., started production in the spring of 1990 with 49 employees and one customer, has more than 150 employees and 100 customers.

-- 1998: Lone Star Industries, first company to repeat as Industry of the Year," following numerous expansions and improvements over the past decade.

Small Business of the Year:

Bootheel Area Rapid Transportation (BART) is the eighth recipient of the Small Business of the Year Award this month.

Previous winners were:

-- 1991: Advance Business Systems.

-- 1993: Bluff City Beer.

-- 1994: KBSI-TV.

-- 1995: Ford Groves Motor Co.

-- 1996: Hutson's Fine Furniture

-- 1997: Horizon Promotional Products

-- 1998: Johnson Tel-Link.

-- 1999: BART.

B. Ray Owen is business editor of the Southeast Missourian.