730: A PARK ON THE GROW

More than 100 trucks a day will make the swing off Interstate 55 and into 730 Industrial Park when Pavestone Company opens early next year.

Pavestone, headquartered at Dallas, Tex., is a leader in the nation's landscape product industry and is the nation's largest producer of interlocking concrete paving stones and retaining walls.

The company has a new facility under construction in a part of 730 Industrial Park, across Interstate 55 from Nash Road Industrial Park.

"During our busiest season, January through July, we'll be shipping as many 125 tractor-trailer truck loads a day out of here," said Ed Boudreaux, plant manager of the new facility.

Pavestone is the latest of more than 30 businesses located in 730 Industrial Park, said Cape Girardeau businessman Gene Rhodes, who is owner of the more than 500-acre industrial park.

"I added another 65 acres to the park during the past year," said Rhodes of the land located along the east side of Interstate 55. "Pavestone is the latest industry in the park, but we have people looking at some other sites there."

A total of 34 businesses are located in more than 250 acres of the park.

"We still have about 250 acres for lease," said Rhodes.

The property has water and sewer services.

The new Pavestone Company will employ about 40 people when it opens.

Paul Kelly, from Pennsylvania, will be general manager of the Pavestone operation.

Pavestone Company, founded in 1980, has a presence in 33 states, with sales in excess of $100 million annually. The company is looking at six new operations over the next two or three years, including Cape Girardeau, Boston, Sacramento and Hagerstown, Md.

Also in 730 Industrial Park is Havco, a manufacturer of hardwood established in 1978.

When the company was founded, it primarily manufactured laminated hardwood truck and trailer flooring. Since then, the company has evolved into a full-service hardwood lumber seller.

The 730 Industrial Park is one of three in that immediate area. Nash Road Industrial Park is located on the west side of Interstate 55, and the SEMO Port Authority is located east of 730 Park, along the Mississippi River.

All three of parks have easy access to river (port authority), air (Cape Girardeau Regional Airport) and highway transportation (Interstate 55).

The industrial park was started in the 1970s, when a few businesses and industries decided to build on what had been corn and soybean fields along the east side of the interstate.

The park has become home to some 30 to 35 wholesale and retail businesses that employ more than 500 people.

The park is situated on a 543-acre tract East of Interstate 55 and south of East Nash Road, across from the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport.