INDUSTRY IN ORAN UPDATES ITS FACILITIES

ORAN -- The Venture Products Inc. plant is undergoing renovations and improvements.

"We're renovating our building," said Eric Miller, the firm's controller. "We're making roof repairs, insulating the building, and adding air conditioning."

Venture Products, which operates as a cut-and-sew operation, producing tennis visors, baseball and golf caps for the specialty advertising market in its 22,000-square-foot building, employs about 90 people.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development has agreed to provide a $43,750 loan guaranty on behalf of the firm to assist the Oran industry with building improvements.

The state Community Development Block Grant program administered by the department provides grants, loans and loan guarantees to cities with populations under 50,000 and to counties under 200,000 to assist in the location of new industry and the expansion or retention of existing businesses.

Venture Products will receive a guarantee on a loan totaling $87,500. The loan is being made by 1st Midwest Bank of Chaffee.

"The state is pleased to help job-creating businesses like Venture Products to obtain financing," said Carl Koupal, department director.