STRICTLY BUSINESS: POSITIVE ECONOMIC NEWS HAS DOWNSIDE

A record 279 new businesses opened in the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning & Economic Development Commission's seven-county area last year.

The new retail and manufacturing facilities created more than 1,000 new jobs.

That's the upside of economic news in the area of Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Iron, Madison, Perry, St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve counties.

The downside is that as many as 156 business closed, including three manufacturing facilities, resulting in the loss of more than 300 jobs, and a number of retail operations that accounted for another 300 jobs.

Another downside is that many of the new jobs created were part-time or minimum-wage positions.

"There was good business growth and job development throughout the region," said Ron Steele, regional economic development planner for the commission, headquartered at Perryville. "Forty-four business in the area reported expansions, and we realized a net total of 123 new businesses for the 12-month period."

New and expanding manufacturers in the region accounted for 102 new jobs, but these were offset by closings, the largest being Tri-Con Corp. at Cape Girardeau, taking its operation to Mexico. Tri-Con, which manufactured seat covers, closed and eliminated 200 good-paying jobs.

Also closing were Angelica Uniforms in Marquand and C. & R. Products in Farmington, which resulted in the loss of 114 jobs.

Two big 1996 closings

Two more big closings were announced this month, which will result in the loss of more than 200 jobs in the near future.

Shop 'n Save Grocery is shutting down its operation in Cape Girardeau, eliminated 70 jobs. Employees are being given a choice of transferring, but the closest Shop 'n Save operations are in the St. Louis metropolitan area in Missouri and Illinois. It's not likely there will be many takers to move.

The Missouri Rapid Response Team was activated to help workers displaced by Shop 'n Save.

The response team, composed of representatives from the Missouri Department of Economic Development's Division of Job Development and Training (JDT) and the Labor and Industrial Relation's Division of Employment Security and local job service providers, responds to the needs of workers who have lost their jobs.

The response team met with employees at the store late last week to provide on-site services to workers needing assistance. The workshops provide stress and financial management information, skill assessments and testing, career counseling and assistance in preparing resumes for job search.

In addition, the Southeast Missouri Private Industry Council will provide laid-off workers with job-search classes, classroom and on-the-job training and help in job placement.

The response team may also be looking at the Thorngate Ltd. plant at Chaffee, where workers will have more time to prepare.

Hartmarx Inc., headquartered in Chicago, announced last week it was phasing out the Chaffee operation, eliminating 150 jobs.

Laid-off workers interested in the program, can call 1-800-877-8698, or locally, (573)-334-0990-.

Outback Steakhouse opening

Outback Steakhouse will open to the public in Cape Girardeau Tuesday, but a special opening celebration to benefit the American Cancer Society will be held tonight.

The new steakhouse, at 101 Cape West Parkway (across Interstate 55 between Drury Suites and Hampton Inn, a 6,000-square-foot facility will seat about 200, and will feature streaks, prime rib, chops, ribs, chicken, seafood and pasta.

Tickets will be available at the door for tonight's three-hour -- 6 to 9 p.m. -- celebration benefit. The cost is $10 a person.

Russell Beam is managing partner for the restaurant.

Starting Tuesday, the restaurant will open at 4 p.m. weekdays and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Outback Steakhouse Inc. of in Tampa, Fla. was founded in 1988, and now operates more than 230 restaurants.

New credit union headquarters

Construction is under way on new quarters for the Cape Girardeau Regional Credit Union.

The new, 2,500-square-foot building at 2427 Cape Center Drive, between South Kingshighway and South Broadview, is expected to be ready by late April or May, said Jerry Morris, president of the company.

Cape Girardeau Regional Credit Union opened in November 1993 at 1602 N. Kingshighway.

The credit union was previously Cape P&G Credit Union and was at the Procter & Gamble Paper Products.

The local credit union is a member of the Missouri Credit Union System and of the Southeast Missouri Chapter.

Save-A-Lot plans for Jackson

Save-A-Lot will open its newest store soon in Jackson.

"We've been working hard preparing for the opening of the new store," said Tim Maevers, a supervisor with the company.

The new, 14,000-square-foot store, will be at 1905 E. Jackson Boulevard.

Broadview plans still on go

Plans are still on go for two new projects along Broadview, south of Route K -- Gold's Gym and a new bank.

Future plans call for a two-story building between the 200 and 300 blocks of South Broadview to house Gold's Gym, a physical fitness facility.

The property was bought in June 1993 by Dr. Jerry McLane of Poplar Bluff, who also announced plans for a future bank at the site.

Merrill Lynch opens here

A grand opening will be held in April by Merrill Lynch, an investment office that opened recently at 1371 N. Mount Auburn Road.

Bart Ozbun, who has more than 10 years of investment experience, is resident vice president, manager and a financial consultant of the local office.

Ozbun holds several securities licenses and is a National Association of Securities Dealers Registered Principal. He is a graduate of Arkansas State University, with a bachelor's degree in finance.

John Murphy and Greg Deimund are financial consultants at the new offices and Jacquelyn Majoros is administrative assistant and financial consultant.