WHAT 100 JOBS MEAN TO A COMMUNITY

Most communities have to keep running just to stand still.

Take Cape Girardeau: Every year 100 to 150 new businesses open. But every year about the same number close.

A study of the Census of Business shows nationally only 57 percent of the businesses that were in business in 1982 were still in business in 1987. Consequently, 43 percent of the firms were out of business during that five-year period.

Happily, however, 48 percent more businesses were founded and there was a net increase nationally of 430,000 businesses during that five-year span. Back to the old formula: 24 percent of all firms went out of business from 1987 to 1989, while 26 percent more firms were established.

And, on and on.

"Attracting new businesses is of primary importance to the existence of any community," says Martin Lefkowitz, director of special projects for the National Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

"We all know that new businesses mean more businesses," he adds. "It's as simple as understanding that if we open a new auto plant, a new retail outlet, or any new business which will employ people, the workers will stop for coffee and doughnuts on the way to work, buy gas for their cars, clothing and food for their families.

"The economic spillover from one business flows to other businesses and the entire community, state and nation."

All this and more is among the findings of the latest "What 100 Jobs Mean to a Community," published by the U.S. Chamber.

Previous editions of the guide have been limited to looking at the impact of manufacturing jobs. The 1993 edition -- first update since 1985 -- examines the impact of non-manufacturing jobs in a number of fields.

There are some fascinating facts to be found in estimates by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce of what 100 new manufacturing jobs mean to a community:

Seven or eight new retail establishments.

Sixty-four non-manufacturing jobs.

A population increase of more than 220.

A school enrollment increase of 61.

An increase in retail sales of more than $1.5 million.

Of the new non-manufacturing jobs which will be created, 45 of them will probably be in wholesale, retail, entertainment and recreation.

Of the $1.4 million increase in retail sales, more than $1 million will be for non-durable goods.

The new publication also takes a look at what 100 tourists a day mean to a community -- mainly 135 new jobs, including 48 in retail establishments, 39 in hotel/motels and amusement, 33 in eating and dining facilities and 15 in transportation.

The publication is available from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1615, H St., NW, Washington, D.C. 10077-2565. The cost is $9.95 plus $2.95 for shipping and handling.

Meanwhile, back to Cape Girardeau, and its battle to keep even on the business scene.

Licenses were issued here for 139 new businesses in the first 10 months of the year. A total of 151 businesses closed. "We haven't run the totals through December yet," said a spokesperson with the city's license office. "But it will probably be about even. The numbers may be different from year to year, but they usually even out on openings and closings."

However, business starts were slow throughout the Southeast Missouri area during the third quarter, due in part to prolonged flooding along the Mississippi River.

A total of 32 new businesses and eight expansions were reported during the third quarter, with only 13 new business starts and seven expansions in Cape Girardeau County. During the same three months -- July, August and September - six closings were reported.

This was the finding of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, which keeps tabs on business activity throughout a seven-county Southeast Missouri region.

Ron Steele, regional economic development planner for the commission, headquartered at Perryville, said an estimated 120 new full- and part-time jobs were created in the region as a result of business starts. Expansions resulted in another 11 new jobs. Although 26 jobs were eliminated as a result of business closings, the region experienced a net increase of 105 jobs.

Of the new businesses reported, 20 are retail operations and 11 offer various types of services.

The SEMO Regional Planning Commission keeps tabs on new businesses each quarter. "It should be noted that all new businesses and closings may not all come to our attention," said Steele. "We welcome information about new or closing businesses."

Sisco's Barber and Hairstyling has moved off Broadway, to 211 N. Sprigg.

"The shop had been located in the 700 block of Broadway since my father opened it in 1938," said Billy Sisco, owner/operator of the appointment-only business.

The shop was founded by the late William D. Sisco when he moved to Cape Girardeau from East Prairie in 1938.

"This is the fifth location in the history of the shop, but the previous four were in the 700 block of Broadway," said Billy Sisco, who joined his father in the operation in 1961.

The barber shop was first located at 702 Broadway, then 716, 729 1/2, and to 729 in 1961.

"My father started the appointment-only format in 1948, and it has remained that way since," said Sisco.

BOAT NOTES:

METROPOLIS, Ill. Players International Inc., previously headquartered in California, has moved its corporate headquarters to Lake Charles, La.

"The move was approved at this year's stockholders' meeting," said Duke Rohlffs, vice president of corporate development for the firm, which operates riverboat casinos at Metropolis, Ill., and Lake Charles. "We have set up shop there temporarily until we decide on a permanent headquarters."

That decision may not come for a couple of years.

Players has divested itself of its Players Club, a discount travel club for gamblers, to devote its efforts to the gambling casino business.

"We're looking at a number of things," said Rohlffs. "The corporate headquarters decision could depend on some of those plans."

Players, which opened at Metropolis in March of 1993, opened its newest operation at Lake Charles earlier this month. The company is still looking at Evansville, Ind., and Maryland Heights in the St. Louis area.

ELSEWHERE:

UNIONTOWN Hagan Design Consultants has opened in Uniontown.

"This is an expansion of our antique store operation," Linda Hagan. "We will be doing interior decorating and design. We also strip, finish and repair furniture."

Roger and Linda Hagan have operated Rosemont Antiques here for 15 years.

"We have about 15 years experience in home decorating and designs," said Hagan.

Although based in Uniontown, the new operation has a Cape Girardeau number and answering service, 651-1555.

PERRYVILLE Seguin Moreau, USA, Inc., a new company with headquarters in Cognac, France, has opened a facility at Perryville.

The new company, located on U.S. Highway 61, north of Perryville in Perry County, finishes, dries, seasons and ages wine barrel staves manufactured by the Perryville Stave Co.

The barrels will be used to store wines manufactured by the Moreau company in France, Spain and California.

Although the firm employs only three persons now, it expects to employ 20 within a year.

POPLAR BLUFF A new Curtis Mathes dealership opened recently at 1908 N. Westwood Blvd. in Poplar Bluff.

Rick Plemonis is manager of the new store, which offers sales and service of Curtis Mathes products. The store also offers in-shop service of RCA, Zenith, GE and other electronic products.

POPLAR BLUFf The 8th annual Heartland Agriculture and National Resources Expo will be held Jan. 28-29 at Three Rivers Community College's Bess Activity Center in Poplar Bluff.

More than 80 exhibits will feature agriculture and farm supplies, forestry and forestry products, various natural resources and other displays.

The event will feature musical entertainment, tractor pedal contests for youngsters, tractor rides and a water-testing clinic.

CAIRO, Ill. Tip Of Illinois has expanded its hospice program to Alexander, Pulaski and Union counties.

The program, designed to permit terminally ill patients to receive care in their homes instead of a hospital or nursing home, provides services from physicians, registered nurses, social workers and pastors to provide for the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and his family.

The program operates out of the Cairo office, 1702 Washington.

Tip of Illinois already provides hospice services to six other counties and hopes to eventually provide the service to 18 Southern Illinois counties.

Additional information is available by calling (618) 734-4491.