EARTH WORK BEGINS FOR STATE OFFICE BUILDING

Groundwork is under way on a section of Six Thirty Industrial Park near South Sprigg and Southern Expressway.

"This is in the area where a new state office building will be constructed," said Ernie Beussink, president of Six Thirty Corp., which owns property on either side of Southern Expressway. Southern Expressway, which is Highway 74, runs from South Kingshighway to South Sprigg.

"We have a number of prospects on the north side of Highway 74," said Beussink, "and we're looking to develop the south side of the expressway."

One of the latest businesses to locate on the south side of the highway is Mid South Steel Inc., which is adjacent to Dana Corp. on the south side of the expressway.

Potential prospects include D&K Wholesale Drug Inc., headquartered in St. Louis. D&K is expected to move its Cairo, Ill., operation to Cape Girardeau within a year.

Movement of earth from the northeast corner of the industrial park is in preparation for construction of a 19,000-square-foot building to house the Missouri Division of Family Services' Child Support Enforcement Division now housed at 130 S. Frederick.

Terry Wilson of Caruthersville won the bid for the state building. The state will lease the building for $166,250 annually. The building is expected to be completed by December.

Also planned in the park is a 10,000-square-foot office-warehouse to be constructed by its owners.