ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN GIVEN TO COUNTY FOR NEW PLANT

The Missouri Department of Economic Development has awarded a $179,000 Action Fund Loan to Cape Girardeau County in behalf of a new plastics-recycling industry which is in the start-up phase in Nash Road Industrial Park.

Sanders Enterprise Inc. (SEI) will use the low-interest loan for machinery and equipment.

SEI will create up to 60 jobs when it reaches full production, with a start-up crew of about 30.

"We're in the phase-in portion of the business now," said Harry Sanders, president of the firm. "Equipment has already been moved into the company's new 12,000-square-foot building, final testing is being completed, and production is expected to get under way soon," he said.

SEI will produce "RecyWall," an alternative to concrete or wooden sound barriers and overpass supports, said Dan Barber of economic development department.

"Harry Sanders is on a fast track with the company," said Barber. "The company will produce an interesting product."

The products utilize waste plastics along with compost materials and ground glass to create a display of greenery. The "RecyWall" also provides a sound barrier along highways and helps to absorb air pollutants from vehicles, pointed out Barber.

"I'm pleased the state of Missouri can assist this creative company," said department Director Joe Driskill. "Our department is working to create an environment that encourages this type of commercial innovation from new and small businesses."

The Action Fund Loan from the state is being made under the state Community Development Block Grant Program, which is administered by the department. The program awards low-interest loans to manufacturing, warehousing and distribution companies, and may be used for land, buildings, construction or renovation of facilities, machinery equipment and working capital.

Sanders' new company applied for the Community Development Block Grant late in 1992. The Cape Girardeau County Commission has formally approved the application.

Sanders said the company would run daytime shifts to start. "But we hope to eventually run 24 hours a day," he said.

Sanders, a native of Belgium and a graduate of the European Technical University of Ghent, previously worked at Mildenberger & Willing Packaging U.S. Inc. Sanders joined M&W in 1988 as an assistant to the owner. He opened the M&W plant north of Cape Girardeau.

Early in his career, Sanders was a service technician for Food Machine Corp., and was soon responsible for all turn-key FMC projects in eastern Europe. He went into the flexible packaging field and machine equipment prior to joining M&W.