BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS, EXPANSIONS CONTINUE IN 1993

Spring may have been cloudy and wet, but the first quarter of 1993 spread some economic sunshine in a seven-county Southeast Missouri region covered by the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission.

A total of 45 new businesses and eight expansions were reported during the first quarter, with 29 new-business starts and six expansions in Cape Girardeau County.

On the less optimistic side, eight business closings were reported in the region four in Cape County, said Ron Steele, regional economic development planner for the commission, headquartered at Perryville.

Steele added, however, that an estimated 400 new jobs were created in the region as a result of business starts. "Expansions resulted in another 48 new jobs," he said. "Although 29 jobs were eliminated as a result of business closings, the region experienced a net increase of 419 jobs, with almost 300 of the new jobs in Cape County."

The commission keeps tabs on new business 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."

Among the good news:

Lowes Home Centers announced it would open a 115,000-square-foot retail center in Cape Girardeau this year.

Sam's Wholesale announced it was looking to an early-1994 start for a 135,000-square-foot structure adjacent to the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Cape Girardeau.

Goodies Clothing Store will open a 25,000-square-foot facility during the third quarter of the year at a location to be announced.

The Cracker Barrel restaurant in Cape County resulted in the largest single increase in employment during the first quarter. The facility employs a staff of more than 160 full and part-time workers.

Ni-Med Inc., a company that packages medical kits for distribution to hospitals and physicians, opened two facilities in the region at Fredericktown and Viburnum. The facilities employ about 60 people, 30 at each.

The Family Fun Center will open this month in Videos & Creme in Town Plaza Shopping Center.

Hobby Lobby Creative Center opened along South Kingshighway and American Superstores opened in Cape Centre along Route K, providing a combined total of about 70 jobs.

Sanders Enterprise Inc. in the Nash Road Industrial Park will be included during the second quarter report, and will create up to 60 jobs at full production. The plastic recycling operation is in its phase-in operation now, with a start-up crew of about 30. SEI will produce RecyWall, an alternative to concrete or wooden sound barriers and overpass supports, said Dan Barber of the economic development department.

Business starts and expansions during the first quarter of 1993 were exceeded 1992 figures for the same quarter. During the first quarter of 1992 31 new businesses and 211 jobs were recorded.

Of the 45 new businesses reported during January, February, and March, 20 are retail operations, 23 are service businesses, and two are manufacturing.

New businesses and expansions during the first quarter of 1993 within the commission region of Bollinger, Cape, Iron, Madison, Perry, St. Francois and Ste. Geneveive counties include:

Bollinger None.

Cape (all are Cape Girardeau) Cracker Barrel Restaurant; Captain China Liu Restaurant; Cape Girardeau Produce and Repackers Inc., produce repackaging and sales; Health 'n Delicious Mobile Restaurant; First Tire & Wheel, wholesale tire sales; Mr. Bulky Treats and Gifts, candy and gifts; Babbage's, computer software; Sibley's Bargain Books, book sales; Reed's Restaurant; Superior Windows, window sales and installation; El Torero restaurant; Victorian Memories, candles, furniture, greeting cards; Tellco Cellular, cellular telephones; James W. Hahn II, legal services; Jim Moore law offices; Elite Travel Inc., travel planning and services; All-Pet Grooming; Write Service, specialty printing service; Helping Hands, computer services; Heartland Family Physician's Clinic; American Lending Group, home loan services; Rise and Shine, wakeup calls, call checks; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Dr. Daniel S. Duick Endocrinology Associates; SEMO Hardwood Floor Sanding Co., hardwood floor refinishing; Allen E. Moss law office; Jesse Bolen Plumbing and Heating; and Patsy's Hair Care.

Iron Fiddler's Corner, liquor sales; A&J Discount Center, discount sales; Ni-Med Inc., Viburnum; Dr. Andy Ninichuck, health care; and Donna Raymond, attorney.

Madison Sunkiss Fitness and Solid Rock Gym, body building, weight training.

Perry Shamrock Beauty Salon; Hornbeak Insurance and Tax.

St. Francois Darla Queen, the Hearing Aid Lady, hearing aid sales, Flat River; The Little House, fabric sales, Bismarck; Subway Restaurant, Flat River; Green's Florist and Gifts, Desloge; Creative Cabinetry and More, Farmington; Play N' Learn Pre-School, child care, Bonne Terre; Ni-Med Inc.; Flat River.

Ste. Genevieve None.

Expansions throughout the seven-county area include: Burger King, 2346 Broadway, Cape Girardeau; Ratliff Nursing Home in Cape Girardeau; New Harvest Inc., at Jackson, 2,500-square-foot expansion; and Bank of Ste. Genevieve, 500-square-foot addition.