Cape Girardeau's Plaza Conference Center closes

The economy has claimed another business in Southeast Missouri.

Plaza Conference Center ceased day-to-day operations and closed earlier this month.

John Echimovich, director of operations of the hotel division at Midamerica Hotels Corporation based in Cape Girardeau, said the closure was based on a combination of factors.

"The closure is a result of the economy, current business climate and high operational costs," Echimovich said. "Demand for a facility of this size and scope has decreased over the last five years."

Midamerica will continue to host meetings and events at the adjacent Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites and the Victorian Inn & Suites. Echimovich said the corporation will focus its efforts on smaller groups of five to 40 people that require meeting space along with sleeping rooms.

Look for more on this story later in the day at semissourian.com and in Wednesday's edition of the Southeast Missourian.