REGION POSTS STRONG BUSINESS GAINS

Business development continued in Southeast Missouri during the fourth quarter of 1992.

Nineteen new businesses opened in Cape Girardeau County during the fourth quarter and 18 new businesses were reported in St. Francois County, said the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission in Perryville.

A total of 48 new businesses have been reported in the seven-county area served by the commission. In addition, several companies announced expansions.

"The business scene has been busy the last three quarters of the year, especially in Cape and St. Francois counties," said Ron Steele, regional economic development planner for the commission.

For the year a total of 182 new business starts were reported.

Of the 48 new businesses in the fourth quarter, 32 were retail operations and 16 service businesses.

"No new manufacturing operations were reported," said Steele. "However, some manufacturing expansions were announced."

One of the largest expansions was that announced by Lee-Rowan of Jackson, which is adding an 81,000-square-foot addition to its manufacturing complex at Jackson, resulting in another 200 jobs. Lee-Rowan manufacturers closet accessories.

Steel said an estimated 279 jobs were created in the region during the fourth quarter as a result of business starts. Announced expansion will result in creation of more than 425 jobs; however, 107 jobs were eliminated as a result of business closings.

"Overall the region experienced a net increase of 597 new jobs during the quarter," said Steele. "The opening of Toys R Us resulted in one of the larger gains, with about 50 new jobs."

The opening of new retail operations in early 1993 will result in more than 200 new jobs in Cape County. Hobby Lobby, an arts and crafts supplies store, will open in March, providing employment for about 40, and the Cracker Barrel restaurant opened Jan. 26, resulting in more than 160 jobs.

Other big announcements not included in the final quarter reports are Lowe's Home Center and Sam's. Lowe's, the second largest chain of home centers in the U.S., is looking at a site in the Cape West Business Park for a 115,000-square-foot facility, and Wal-Mart has announced that a Sam's retail store will open this year just south of the Wal-Mart Supercenter here.

Several closings were reported during the third quarter, resulting in the loss of 107 jobs. Included on that list was the closing of the Florsheim facility in the Nash Road area of Cape County resulting in losses of 65 jobs, and the closing of Golde's Women's Clothing store in St. Francois County, where 20 people had been employed.

New businesses within the seven-county commission region of Bollinger, Cape, Iron, Madison, Perry, St. Francois and Ste. Geneveive include:

Bollinger County: Rickett House Bed and Breakfast, Marble Hill.

Cape County (all are Cape Girardeau unless otherwise indicated): Heartland Crafts, arts and crafts; Toys R Us, retail toys; Rainsoft Water Treatment, water treatment equipment; Huck's Auto Sales, used auto sales; Unlimited Sports and Athletics (USA), sporting goods; The Cat House, cat supplies; Mario's Pizza and Subs III, Jackson, food sales; United Electric Supply Co., electrical supplies; Altenthal Sports Goods, sporting goods specialty store; Shades 'n More, lighting fixtures; Sunny Hill Pet center, pet sales and supplies; Unique Brides, bridal accessories; Cape Girardeau Large Animal Services, veterinary medicine; Eulinburg Stables, training for saddlebred horses; Kid's Kuts, children hair cuts; American Linens Supply Co., textile rentals; Farmers Insurance Group; Cutt'n on The River, hair care.

Iron County: The Depot Shop, Ironton, stained glass and gift items; Ross Minit Mart, gasoline and food sales, Annapolis; Charlotte's Craft and Gift Store, Ironton, crafts, gift items.

Madison County: Granny's Country Crafts, Marquand, crafts and supplies.

Perry County: Caribbean Tanning, Perryville, tanning service; Shear Images, Perryville, hair care and styling; Fallert Communications, Perryville, contracted communications.

St. Francois County: Mineral Area Monument Co., Farmington, granite, bronze, marble monument sales; Mel's Meat Market, Farmington, food sales; The Great American Bakery and Deli, Farmington, food sales; Rod's Pizza, Flat River; Doughnuts and More, food sales; K&K Sports, Farmington, clothing sales; Hilltop Tavern, Bismarck; Southwestern Hearing Aid. Co.; Interiors by Patti, Farmington, drapes and decorating accessories; Lamplight Inn Lounge, Bonne Terre; Sports Cards Plus, Farmington, comics, sports cards; Citgo Convenience Barn, gasoline and food items; Ken's C-Mart, Farmington, gas and food items; Big Burger, Farmington, food sales; Gierse's Cleaners, Flat River, cleaning service; Davis Barber Shop, Farmington; Maple Valley Car Wash, Farmington; SmithKline Beecham Clinical Labortary, Flat River, clinical lab testing.

Ste. Genevieve: Wayside restaurant, Bloomsdale; Luttrell Plumbing, Ste. Genevieve; Dr. Michael White, Ste. Genevieve, small-animal hospital.

Expansions throughout the seven-county area include:

Cape Girardeau County: Maurices, West Park Mall, expanded and added two new employees; Victorian Inn, added 32 rooms and atrium, five new employees; Brase Distributing and B&H Fleet and Industrial Supplies open new machine shop; Southeast Fabricating, constructing new building, expanding from 5,000 to 22,000 square feet, and adding eight employees; Lee-Rowan, Jackson, announced plans for 81,000 square foot addition, resulting in up to 200 new jobs; Florsheim Shoe, added 50 to 60 employees.

Madison County: Cap America, Fredericktown, cap manufacturer, expanding to new site.

St. Francois County: Mineral Area Office Supplies, Farmington, office supplies.

Business closings in the region:

Bollinger County: New Salem Books and Crafts.

Cape Girardeau County: Margraf Jewelry, Cape Girardeau; Florsheim Shoe Inc., Nash Road, Arthur's Women's Fashions and Pass Pets.

St. Francois County: Golde's Women's Clothing, Leadington; Emerson's Men and Women's Clothing, Farmington.

Ste. Geneveive County: Breezy Hill Antiques, Ste. Geneveive.