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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
From the editor: People of vision
This year we decided to do something a little different with our annual Progress publication. Instead of highlighting the projects going on in Cape Girardeau -- and there are many of them -- we decided to spotlight some of the people who are shaping our communities...
Read more about this year's Progress edition
Featured businesses
Progress 2013: From the editor (02/22/13)
Dear reader, Within this year's Progress edition, you'll see undeniable evidence of the tremendous work and growth being seen in our region. Whether private investments or public projects, you won't be able to turn a page without seeing it. Shovels turning dirt...
SoutheastHEALTH (02/22/13)
SoutheastHEALTH, which operates Southeast Hospital, expanded its footprint in 2012, and also officially named its new leader. May 4 -- Trustees picked Wayne Smith to be president and CEO at SoutheastHEALTH, a position he had held on an interim basis since the summer before...
Chaffee sewer project (02/22/13)
CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Chaffee, Mo., voters went to the polls April 5, 2011 to decide several municipal questions. They increased the city sales tax rate by a quarter-cent, lending their support for the tax for fire department operations, but not for stormwater and park improvements. City officials said the tax could have brought in $90,000, allowing them to tackle some of Chaffee's drainage issues...
Ramsey Creek Bridge (02/22/13)
It was a development residents of Scott City had been waiting on for years. In December of 2012, it finally happened. A new outer road over Ramsey Creek was completed and will ease a traffic bottleneck in the city. The project began in October of 2010, when a groundbreaking ceremony was held in front of William Nobbe & Co., marking the start of construction to Route AB. ...
Cape Girardeau School District (02/22/13)
In 2010, Cape Girardeau voters approved a $40 million bond issue for improvements to the public school district. Those improvements included a new Franklin Elementary School, a new library at Central Junior High, an addition to Central High with 22 classrooms and a new performing arts center at Central High. Many of those projects came to fruition in 2012...
Southeast Missouri State University improvements (02/22/13)
The year 2012 was a big one for improvements made on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. The student population required the expansion resident halls. Work continued on Academic Hall, including replacing the copper of the dome and upgrading its interior. And plans have moved forward on an expansion of the River Campus...
Broadway streetscape project (02/22/13)
The $4.4 million Broadway corridor project was one of the more visible improvements in Cape Girardeau in 2012. It was paid for with voter-approved Transportation Trust Fund money and will be reimimbursed with revenue from the Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. It redesigned Broadway from Water Street to Pacific Street, providing a pedestrian promenade on the north side of the street, new sidewalks, curbing and gutters, storm sewer and pedestrian lighting...
Isle of Capri casino (02/22/13)
It was the biggest story of 2012 in terms of development in Cape Girardeau. The Isle of Capri Casino opened on Halloween eve of 2012, the culmination of years and years of behind-the-scenes plans, financial risks, legislative delays, a public vote, bureaucratic scrutiny, tax revenue arrangements and building construction. ...
Progress 2013: Cape Girardeau construction (02/22/13)
Number of construction units and total costs, last five years in Cape Girardeau Year Units Cost in $ 2008 331 $42,274,885 2009 329 $61,443,936 2010 307 $22,661,506 2011 330 $65,710,926 2012 289 $51,944,570 Source: City of Cape Girardeau
Progress 2013: Average unemployment rates (02/22/13)
Average Unemployment rates over the last five years Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics...
CVS and Plaza Tire (02/22/13)
A major retail announcement was made just after the New Year, when Plaza Tire Service announced it was moving to a new facility, and that CVS, a national pharmacy chain, was moving to the Plaza Tire location at William Street and Kingshighway. Jan. 3, 2013 -- Plans were announced for Plaza Tire Service to move to a new facility at Good Hope Street and South Kingshighway, across from Hobby Lobby, and for CVS Pharmacy to build a store at Plaza Tire's current location at William and South Kingshighway. ...
Kingshighway development (02/22/13)
The landscape near the Kingshighway and Lexington Street in Cape Girardeau has taken on a new look with the construction of a new development. The building, set to open on March 4, is 31,000 square feet, and will house Banterra Bank along with several other tenants. It will be called the Banterra Centre. Developer Scott Rhodes with The Rhodes Group, said about 30 construction employees have been working on the building over the last 15 months...
Mondi (Nordenia) (02/22/13)
Nordenia USA opened a new consumer packaging production facility in the Spring of 2012, the first tentant at a long-standing and long-empty industrial park owned by the city of Jackson. The $22 million-plus project added 50 jobs. In October, Nordenia was purchased by Mondi, a company based in Germany...
Saint Francis Medical Center (02/22/13)
Saint Francis Medical Center made a major financial commitment in 2012, announcing plans for a huge expansion that will provide single-bed rooms for the hospital as well as give a major face-lift to its entrance. It will be one of the largest capital investments in Cape Girardeau's history...
Menard's Development (02/22/13)
Menard's a major retailer opened shop in 2013, after completing construction of its store at Siemers Drive and Bloomfield Road. The $8 million project -- which included a 162,340-square-foot retail store, garden center and lumber warehouse -- was Cape Girardeau's first large retail development since 2006, when both Sears Grand and Kohls opened off Siemers Drive. It was Cape Girardeau's first large retail development since 2006, when both Sears Grand and Kohl's opened off Siemers Drive...
Progress 2013: Jackson sales tax revenue (02/22/13)
Jackson Sales tax revenue, last five years Sales Tax 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 $2,111,831 $2,052,623 $2,042,934 $1,998,624 $2,112,218 Transportation sales tax 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 $997,667 $963,685 $957,708 $931,111 $988,437 Total 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008...
Progress 2013: Jackson Chamber membership (02/22/13)
Jackson Chamber of Commerce membership, last five years 2009 -- 300 2010 -- 350 2011 -- 400 2012 -- 450 2013 -- 500 Source: Jackson Chamber of Commerce
Progress 2013: Perry County Sales Tax Revenue (02/22/13)
Perry County sales tax revenue, by category, last five years 1/2 cent General Revenue Fund Sales Tax 2009 $1,127,534.49 2010 $1,148,893.20 2011 $1,155,872.40 2012 $1,161,109.48 3/8 cent Road & Bridge Sales Tax 2009 $844,976.98 2010 $861,381.04 2011 $866,375.87...
Progress 2013: Jackson business licenses (02/22/13)
Number of business licenses issued in Jackson, last three years 2010 2011 2012 1193 1274 1319 Source: City of Jackson
Progress 2013: Scott City sales tax revenue (02/22/13)
Scott City sales tax revenue, last five years* 2007-08 $400,368.55 2008-09 $381.659.73 2009-10 $244,877.96 2010-11 $361,559.22 2011-12 $427,388.66 * Fiscal year beginning in July, through the following June Source: Scott City government
Progress 2013: Jackson construction (02/22/13)
Total declared construction costs in Jackson, last five years 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 $26,124,470.05 $ 24,902,592.67 $11,959,478.80 $18,836,379.00 $12,858,753.11 Source: city of Jackson
Progress 2013: Cape Girardeau Sales Tax (02/22/13)
Cape Girardeau sales tax revenue, last five years TOTAL 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 $4,259,309.54 $4,249,663.99 $4,375,737.35 $4,590,877.56 $4,775,086.67 Source: City of Cape Girardeau
Progress 2013: Cape Girardeau County sales tax revenue (02/22/13)
2010 2011 2012 2013 $6,238,401.42 $6,492,658.27 $6,630,258.43 $6,505,809.94
Progress 2013:Cape County Home sales (02/22/13)
Number of home sales, Cape Girardeau County, last five years Cape Jackson County 2008 427 286 763 2009 436 308 785 2010 391 273 715 2011 392 290 729 2012 396 341 798 Source: Multiple Listing Services
Progress 2013: Cape Girardeau new business licenses (02/22/13)
Number of new business licenses issued in Cape Girardeau, last five years 2008- 174 2009- 199 2010- 156 2011- 169 2012- 192 Source: City of Cape Girardeau
Progress 2013: Cape Girardeau Chamber membership (02/22/13)
Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce membership, last five years 2008—1131 2009—1192 2010—1194 2011—1194 2012—1252 Source: Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce
Progress 2013: Perryville Chamber membership (02/22/13)
Perryville Chamber of Commerce membership by year, last five years 2012—440 2011—425 2010—421 2009—418 2008—414 Source: Perryville Chamber of Commerce
Progress 2013: Total motor vehicle sales for Cape Girardeau County (02/22/13)
Motor vehicle sales for Cape Girardeau County for the last five years Source: Missouri Department of Revenue...
Progress: 2013 Scott County Sales Tax Revenue (02/22/13)
Scott County total sales tax revenue for the last five years 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 $1,655,929 $1,628,874 $1,682,751 $1,745,782 $1,784,530 Source: Scott County government

Southeast Missourian business headlines
100-Mile Yard Sale kicks off Thursday (05/22/13)
It's that time of year again, when the stretch of Highway 25 between Jackson and Kennett, Mo., becomes the site of the 100-Mile Yard Sale. The yard sale, now in its 15th year, begins Thursday and continues through Monday, Memorial Day. Browsers and bargain hunters alike will be able to find a variety of merchandise from vendors stationed along both sides of the highway...
Council talks renewal of hotel/motel, restaurant taxes (05/21/13) 5
The Cape Girardeau City Council on Monday discussed whether to renew hotel/motel and restaurant taxes, as well as the projects these taxes might fund. Council members discussed asking residents to renew the tax, but to be cognizant of how to present the proposal. Council members agreed a specific plan for the use of the money is necessary, especially with revenue coming from Isle Casino Cape Girardeau...
Cape council to hold hearings on community block grants (05/20/13) 1
The Cape Girardeau City Council will hold two public hearings today regarding new Community Development Block Grant applications. One project would help fund an innovative industry lab on Broadway; the other is intended to build public infrastructure to "assist a new company in locating to the city."...
Mo. infrastructure proposals fail at state Capitol (05/20/13) 1
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Numerous Missouri lawmakers wanted to seek voter approval to boost funding for Missouri's transportation system and pay for improvements at colleges and state facilities. Neither measure made it that far. State lawmakers wrapped up their annual session Friday without passing a proposed 1-cent sales tax for transportation or a state bonding package. Both would have required voter approval had they cleared the Legislature...
Obama urged to make economy bolder topic (05/20/13)
WASHINGTON -- Five months into President Barack Obama's second term, allies and former top aides worry his overarching goal of economic opportunity has been diminished, partly drowned out by controversies seized upon by Republicans in an effort to weaken him...
A year after IPO, Facebook down in stocks, up in revenue (05/20/13)
NEW YORK -- It was supposed to be our IPO, the people's public offering. Facebook, the brainchild of a young CEO who sauntered into Wall Street meetings in a hoodie, was going to be bigger than Amazon, McDonald's and Coca-Cola. And it was all made possible by our friendships, photos and family ties...
Bank of Missouri offers $1,000 to winner of business contest (05/20/13)
The Bank of Missouri announced its second annual "Jumpstart Your Business Contest," aimed at local people interested in starting a new business or expanding their existing business. The bank will give $1,000 to one winner in each of three regions: Cape Girardeau-Scott City, Jackson and Perryville-Marble Hill-Patton. ...
Talking Shop with Matt Huber of the John A. Huber Brewing Company (05/20/13) 1
The Huber family calls Hubrew Beer, "Beer the way it should be." They have a variety of beverages available in area stores and restaurants. Matt Huber, CEO and business manager of the John A. Huber Brewing Company, shared his thoughts about business and family...
Health-care prices vary (05/19/13) 20
The federal government released for the first time this month the prices hospitals charge for the 100 most common inpatient procedures and the amounts Medicare reimburses them. Charges listed for the same treatments vary widely, sometimes within the same market, but local hospital officials say the numbers don't accurately reflect what they are paid and are not useful for patients trying to price medical care. ...
Cape city council to consider sales tax holiday (05/19/13) 2
A back-to-school sales tax holiday returning to Cape Girardeau this August looks likely as Mayor Harry Rediger and several members of the city council vocally have supported its reinstatement. The city stopped participating in the annual sales tax holiday in 2009 when sales tax receipts declined and were projected to stay that way. ...
Mo. lawmakers give mixed results on business aid (05/17/13)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri lawmakers revamped four of the state's main business incentives on the final day of their legislative session, but failed Friday to pass a broader measure that would have scaled back costly tax credits for developers.
Plaza Galleria to be razed (05/16/13) 26
The building that held the area's first supermarket in 1969 and a popular ice skating rink and shopping center in the 1980s will soon become something else -- rubble. The former Plaza Galleria at 2001 Independence St. is scheduled to be razed in the next few weeks, according to Tom Kelsey, broker and president of Lorimont Place Ltd., who represents the property. ...
Mo. unemployment rate declines in April (05/15/13)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri officials say the state's unemployment rate edged one-tenth of a point lower to 6.6 percent in April while payrolls increased by roughly 12,000 jobs. The Department of Economic Development reported Tuesday the leisure and hospitality sector added 4,800 jobs in April. Other big gains were the ...
Missouri House endorses transportation sales tax (05/15/13) 8
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A penny sales tax that would be dedicated to state and local transportation projects cleared the Missouri House on Tuesday. The state sales tax, which officials estimate could generate nearly $8 billion over a decade, would require voter approval to take effect and would be resubmitted to the ballot every 10 years. Proceeds would fund state highways, local roads and other modes of transportation such as railroads, airports, mass transit and river ports...
Senate panel approves massive farm bill (05/15/13)
WASHINGTON -- The Senate Agriculture Committee has approved a massive five-year farm bill that would cut spending while also creating new subsidies for farmers. The legislation approved 15-5 on Tuesday by the panel includes concessions to Southern rice and peanut farmers, thanks to a new top Republican on the committee, Mississippi Sen. ...
Budget surpluses spur tension in some GOP states (05/14/13)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Turns out that cutting was the easy part. Now Republicans who control a majority of the state capitols in the United States face a far greater philosophical dilemma -- what to do with all the money in places where an improving economy has suddenly created a surplus in revenue?...
Lawmakers seek to reinstate local tax for vehicles (05/14/13) 2
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri lawmakers are hoping the third time will be the charm in their quest to reinstate local taxes on cars, trucks and boats purchased from out-of-state dealers or in private transactions. State and local officials have keyed on the tax issue for more than a year while raising fears about lost jobs, business hardships for Missouri vehicle dealers and declining revenue for cities and counties. ...
Mo. bill would require consent for fee collections (05/14/13)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A measure that would significantly change how unions representing Missouri's public employees can collect and spend members' fees was sent to the governor Monday. Under the bill approved by the House, members would need to provide annual consent before their fees can be deducted from their paychecks. It would also force unions to obtain similar annual consent in order to spend fees on political activities, including campaign contributions...
U.S. retail sales rise in April on cars, clothing, electronics (05/14/13)
WASHINGTON -- Lower-priced gasoline allowed Americans to step up their spending at retailers in April, from cars and clothes to electronics and appliances. The rebound from a weak March suggests consumers remain resilient in the face of higher taxes and could continue to drive economic growth this spring...
Leave Bangladesh? Not an easy choice for brands (05/13/13)
NEW YORK -- Bangladesh offers the global garment industry something unique: Millions of workers who quickly churn out huge amounts of well-made underwear, jeans and T-shirts for the lowest wages in the world. But since a building collapse April 24 killed at least 1,100 garment workers in Bangladesh in one of the deadliest industrial tragedies in history, the country has gone from one of the industry's greatest assets to one of its biggest liabilities...
Talking Shop with Gary Stroder of Gary & Company Hair Designers (05/13/13) 1
Gary Stroder celebrated his 50th year of hair design and styling in April. Stroder said he loves it as much as the day he started. Q: How did you become interested in hairstyling? A: Surprisingly, I wanted to be an architect. My parents wouldn't send me to school for it so I went [in Cape Girardeau] and you could be a teacher, accountant or get a fine arts degree. ...
Casino visitors, revenue down in April (05/12/13) 13
A decline in visitors dropped city revenue from operation of Isle Casino Cape Girardeau nearly 30 percent in April when compared to the previous month. City officials say they are not worried and are looking forward to being able to measure the casino's performance year to year, rather than month to month...
Nixon likely to veto Mo. income tax cut plan (05/12/13) 10
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon indicated Friday he is likely to veto legislation that would cut Missouri's income taxes for businesses and individuals, saying he has serious concerns it could jeopardize funding for essential government services...
Missouri lawmakers approve income tax cut (05/10/13) 5
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Battling back against tax cuts in neighboring Kansas, Missouri lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to an income tax cut for businesses and individuals that could reduce state revenues by about $700 million annually when fully phased in...
Thousands expected in Cape for Great Race (05/10/13) 1
More than 100 vintage cars participating in a precision driving contest from St. Paul, Minn., to Mobile, Ala., will stop in Cape Girardeau June 25. Local businesses along the route will host events for rally drivers and spectators, which are expected to number in the thousands...
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