Funding to benefit 11 Southeast Missouri businesses

Eleven Southeast Missouri companies have been awarded funding to train employees from the Missouri Job Development Fund through the Missouri Customized Training Program.

The companies, which include businesses in Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Scotty City, Perryville and Sikeston will receive a combined $245,000 to train 851 new and current employees.

The program offers funding assistance to the state's employers for training and retraining their workers. Financial assistance is given to businesses to reduce training costs and improve productivity for the purposes of creating and maintaining jobs. Funding can be used for such training costs as curriculum development, training materials and instructional salaries.

Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, said the funds come at a critical time in the nation's current economic climate.

"This funding will allow these companies to pursue further opportunities and increase the productivity of their businesses," he said. "I applaud the initiative of these 11 companies and am pleased that this funding was available to promote further economic development in our area."

Crowell said each company does not receive the appropriated funds in advance. After a training session is complete, the respective company is reimbursed.

If a company has reduced its work force after the grant money was approved -- such as with Havco Wood Products at 3200 E. Outer Road in Cape Girardeau -- Crowell said the amount they receive could be reduced depending on the number of employees working at a facility. A recipient of $20,000 to train 75 workers, Havco announced Friday that it was laying off 60 full-time employees.

Susie Bohannon, spokeswoman for SEMO Milling Company in Cape Girardeau, said the educational opportunities that will benefit the employees of the corn milling company are priceless. The company, at 261 River Road, will use its $40,000 to train 38 employees.

"Anytime we can train our employees, it's an educational opportunity that will follow them the rest of their lives," Bohannon said. "It builds upon their capabilities, which benefits them in more ways than one."

Rex Livingston, general manager of Pavestone Co. LP, at 2720 E. Outer Road in Scott City, said his business will match the $10,000 it is receiving to train 29 workers. He said this joint effort will prove beneficial by improving his employee's manufacturing skills. The company produces concrete blocks for such major businesses as Home Depot and Wal-Mart

"It's a hard pill to swallow when you're talking about spending 20 grand," Livingston said. "But with the appropriation funds we're getting, we'll be able to use that money to better our employees.

"This funding can benefit so many smaller businesses statewide," he continued. "I hope the state continues to keep this fund around for many years to come."

Other businesses receiving the funding are:

• TG Missouri Co. in Perryville, which will receive $37,500 to train 67 workers.
• Tetra Pak Materials LP in Sikeston, which will receive $27,500 to train 49 workers.
• Sabreliner Co. in Perryville, which will receive $22,500 to train 80 workers.
• Newell Rubbermaid Home Products in Jackson, which will receive $20,000 to train 310 workers.
• American Railcar Industries in Jackson, which will receive $20,000 to train 110 workers.
• Signature Packing Paper LLC in Jackson, which will receive $20,000 to train 16 workers.
• Spartech Plastics in Cape Girardeau, which will receive $15,000 to train 40 workers.
• Buzzi Unicem USA in Cape Girardeau, which will receive $12,500 to train 37 workers.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

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Locations of businesses receiving grants

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