Training available for dislocated workers

A new pre-employment training program will be offered this fall for dislocated workers in the Cape Girardeau area. The five-week, 200-hour program is free to qualified participants and is funded by the Missouri Division of Workforce Development through funds awarded to Mineral Area College. Those who complete the program will be guaranteed an interview with one or more local industries. A dislocated worker is someone who has been permanently laid off from their job due to a work force reduction, business closure or farm failure, according to the Division for Workforce Development. Two sessions will be offered, the first one begins Nov. 1 and a second session is planned in January. Courses will be at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center and the Carpenters' Joint Apprenticeship Training Center. For more information, call 335-1936.

* New training website: The Small Business Council and the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with area training providers and Element 74 have created the area's first webpage dedicated to providing a comprehensive listing of business training opportunities, http://www.capeareatraining.com/

The idea was generated by the committee members who participate in the Small Business Council and saw an opportunity for the chamber to provide additional value for member businesses by communicating via one website all of the training opportunities available in our area, said John Mehner, chamber president and CEO.

The chamber has almost a dozen members who provide high-quality and affordable training programs on a regular basis, he said.

The training categories include starting a business, business planning, business management and leadership, finance and accounting, marketing and advertising, health and wellness, and technology.

Training providers contributing to www.capeareatraining.com include Small Business and Technology Development Center (Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri Extension Office), Hendrickson Business Advisors, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University, Mineral Area College, Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, Extended and Continuing Education Center at Southeast Missouri State University, Small Business Administration, Big River Telephone.

* Commerce partners in loan program: State Treasurer Clint Zweifel has announced that Commerce Bank, the largest Missouri-based bank, has committed to a goal of lending $100 million in low-interest loans to small businesses through the Missouri Linked Deposit Program. The investment in the low-interest loan program managed by Zweifel is estimated to affect 2,800 Missouri jobs over the next 12 months. The $100 million commitment in small business loans will boost statewide low-interest lending by 41 percent. In the Southeast Missouri region -- Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Iron, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard and Wayne counties -- 306 loans totaling $81 million for farms and small businesses has been granted through this program since January 2009. This has affected more than 1,072 jobs and 154 farmers and saved $1.4 million in annual interest.

* Magnet seeks survey input: The Cape Girardeau Area Magnet is seeking input from area residents, business owners and local elected officials concerning priorities for the upcoming year. Magnet is the area's designated economic development group funded by the cities of Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City, the Cape Girardeau County Commission and the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce. The survey can be found at www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22B96QDXG33.

* Breast cancer event set: Southeast Missouri Hospital and Belladona Salon will host a Jane Iredale Rise Above with Love breast cancer awareness event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 14. The event will celebrate breast cancer patients and survivors will recognize the emotional and physical support network surrounding women who are living with, and through, breast cancer.

Southeast Missourian business reporter Melissa Miller may be contacted at 388-3646 or mmillersemissourian.com.