STRICTLY BUSINESS: TOP EMPLOYERS TO HAVE `NEW CATEGORY' IN '97

The Southeast Missourian's "Top 60" industries, based on the number of employees, started as a "Top 25," four years ago, but due to growth, expansions and new industry, the list went to "Top 40 in 1995 and to "Top 60" last year.

We're in the process of looking to the 1997 list, which will appear in February of next year, and a couple of new names will be appearing on the list.

This year, we'll be presenting two lists -- a "Top 50" on manufacturing, industry and product-related companies, and "Top 25" other employers by employment, including medical, education and others.

Companies that thinks they will be eligible for one of the two lists are urged to submit company names and total employment.

Meanwhile, a "Top 10" list was recently unveiled for Southern Illinois, compiled during the summer by Dun & Bradstreet, a financial information service company.

The Southern Illinois list, which includes the region's largest employers at a single site from Mount Vernon south, is headed by an educational facility -- Southern Illinois University, at 5,600.

One of Southern Illinois' largest employers is also mentioned on the Southeast Missourian's "Top 60." Gilster-Mary Lee Corp., headquartered at Chester, is third on the current Southern Illinois list with 1,500 employees in Illinois. The company also has two manufacturing facilities in Missouri, at Perryville and McBride, where it manufactures and packages cake mixes, stuffing mixes, hot cocoa drink mix and popcorn.

Other big employers

Meanwhile, second on the Southern Illinois list is General Tire Co. of Mount Vernon, with 1,900 employees. Rounding out the top five are Menard Correctional Center at Chester and Southern Illinois Hospital Service of Carbondale, each with 1,100 employees.

The second five are: SSM Health Care System, Mount Vernon, 850; Maytag Corp., Herrin, 820; Southern Illinois Riverboat Cruises (Players International), Metropolis, 800; Choate Mental Health Center, Anna, 640; and Kerr-McGee Corp., Galatia, 610.

The average unemployment rate in the same Southern Illinois area is 8 percent, ranging from 15 percent in Hardin and Franklin counties to 4.1 percent in Richland County and 5.5 percent in Massac and Jackson counties.

Two immediate area counties, Alexander and Pulaski, recorded two-figure unemployment percentages, at 10.8 and 11.3 percent respectively. A third nearby county, Union, was at 7.8 percent.

"The July to August unemployment picture was what one would expect, given the nature of the regional economy and the time of year," said Charles M. "Mike" Vessell, labor market economist for the Illinois Department of Employment Security at Marion.

The unemployment rate was up in 11 of the 20 downstate counties, due to some temporary layoffs in the manufacturing sector and some ups and downs in construction. Meanwhile, an expanding retail trade sector helped some counties.

The primary negative, said Vessell, was the closing of the Amax Delta strip mine on the Saline/Williamson county line.

Wolohan building sold?

The Wolohan Lumber & Home Improvement Center building, 120 N. Kingshighway, in Cape Girardeau may be sold.

An agreement to sell the large complex has been enacted by Wolohan and a purchaser who wants to remain anonymous until all details have been completed, probably in mid-November.

Wolohan's, a hardware and building materials firm, opened its local facility in 1990 and announced it was closing last month.

More later.

Elsewhere: BBB complaints

A flurry of complaints have been filed against home improvement contractors and businesses in Missouri.

The complaints have prompted the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to use caution when selecting a remodeler.

The BBB has received complaints about contractors who have received deposits without starting work and/or leaving customers with unfinished work.

Other contractors, said BBB spokesman James C. Schmitt, have refused to remedy shoddy workmanship, or threatened customers with lawsuits when payments for allegedly incomplete work were not made.

Most of the complaints have been registered against metropolitan area companies, but at least one Southeast Missouri contractor has been accused of taking "up-front" money and never returning to start a job.

Before hiring a contractor, the BBB suggests the following:

-- Ask friends, relatives and business associates for recommendations.

-- Obtain written estimates from at least three contractors, based on the same specifications, quality materials, labor and time needed to complete the project.

-- Ask for a list of previous clients and call them to inquire about quality of work.

-- Verify that contractors have proper licenses and bonding.

-- Read and understand your contract before signing. Any verbal promises should be included in the contract. Also, add a release-of-lien clause to the contract.

-- Don't pay for the entire job up front. Down payment should be no more than a third of the total contract price.

-- Determine how long the company has been in business.

-- Call the BBB (314-645-3300) to determine the company's customer experience record.

The St. Louis office of the Better Business Bureau services Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Missouri casino results

More is better for Harrah's Casino in North Kansas City.

Harrah's established another state record in August for gambling revenue, winning $15.9 million from its customers.

Harrah's operates from two gambling boats at its location. The $15.9 million is up almost 25 percent from August a year ago, when Harrah's had only one casino at the site.

Missouri gambling revenue for all seven operations in August totaled $51 million.

Station Casino St. Charles, also with two facilities, was second statewide and led the St. Louis gambling market with $13.1 million. The total win for the St. Louis market was $35.6 million, with Casino St. Charles grabbing the market share from three other boats. The Admiral, in downtown St. Louis, won $5.6 million; the Casino Queen, at East St. Louis, Ill., won $10.5 million; and the Alton Belle, at Alton, Ill., won $6.4 million.

Other Missouri casinos and win totals were Argosy's Casino at Riverside, $7.1 million; Boyd Gaming's Sam's Town in Kansas City, $6 million; Casino Aztar at Caruthersville, $2 million; and St. Jo Frontier at St. Joseph, $1.6 million.

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