On the bright side ...

Recent months have produced a steady stream of news about businesses closing and employees out of jobs. Southeast Missouri has seen its share of these reports.

But all the news hasn't been gloomy. There have been several bright spots:

• Both Saint Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau have announced major new facilities that, together, will involve construction spending of more than $100 million.
• Orgill Inc., which distributes home-improvement products, announced last year it will build a new distribution center in Sikeston, Mo., adding 350 jobs to the area.
• Buchheit Trucking announced it is expanding its warehousing and logistics operations from its base in Scott City to an empty industrial complex in Morehouse, Mo.
• Schaefer Electrical Enclosures Inc. of Advance, Mo., announced it is expanding its operations and relocating to a building it has purchased on Nash Road near the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, nearly doubling its space and allowing employees to commute instead of losing their jobs.

In these uncertain times, the bad business news seems to hit harder, and the good business news is brighter. Obviously, many businesses are managing to do well in spite of the economic downturn that has gripped the nation. We wish them all success.