A quick look at the highs and lows of 2009

A few days have passed since we bid 2009 farewell. The year was filled with its share of ups and downs for businessmen and women and the consumer.

January started off with a bang, when Southeast Missouri Hospital broke ground on its cancer center. The $33 million facility, near Central High School off Mount Auburn Road, will play a part in the effort to battle one of the most deadly diseases in the nation. The center is one of two cancer facilities under construction in Cape Girardeau, as Saint Francis Medical Center is building a heart and cancer hospital on its campus.

Also dominating the headlines during January was a winter storm that knocked out power to thousands of people and closed businesses for a few days. If there were any positive aspects that came out of that storm, it was that some businesses such as laundries and hotels got a boost. Let's hope Mother Nature is a bit kinder in 2010.

In February, Perryville, Mo., auto parts supplier TG Missouri laid off 150 workers, citing a sudden drop in automobile sales as the main factor in its decision. The company produces parts for such companies as Toyota, Honda and General Motors.

The next month, a Comfort Suites hotel in Jackson that had been under construction since 2007 opened at 2904 Old Orchard Road. Nearby, the Lichtenegger, Weiss & Fetterhoff law firm broke ground on its new building at 2480 E. Main St. While one hotel opening and a law firm breaking ground may not seem like a big deal, both businesses are near an area of Jackson that many believe will see lots of growth.

In May, a handful of area Chrysler dealerships learned they were among the stores the company planned to close. Auffenberg Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Cape Girardeau, Lucas-Smith Automotive in Potosi, Mo., and Guetterman Motors of Cairo, Ill., were the area dealerships affected. However, Auffenberg and Guetterman have other lines that allowed them to stay open.

August brought two milestones. The first was the celebration of Procter & Gamble's 40th year of operation in Cape Girardeau County. Since the first box of Pampers rolled off the production line in 1969, the plant has undergone numerous expansions. The facility's 1,311 acres is the largest site of all of Procter & Gamble's 140 facilities.

Farther north, leaders gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of a port near of Ste. Genevieve, Mo. New Bourbon Port, situated on 72 acres, will include a harbor and berthing and maintenance area for a ferry that will travel from Modoc, Ill., to Ste. Genevieve. Officials in Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties believe the port will stimulate significant expansion of the local economy.

In September, Debbie Linnes assumed the role of Southeast Missouri Hospital's president and chief executive officer. An experienced leader of independent hospitals, Linnes is the 11th president and CEO of the hospital's 81-year history.

And in November, commercial air service returned to Cape Girardeau Regional Airport after the contract with Great Lakes Airlines expired Oct. 31. Despite a turbulent record of past carriers, officials at Cape Air said they'll do their best to build a successful business in Cape Girardeau. During the first month of operation officials at Cape Air said they transported 500 passengers, an average of 17 per day combined on its four nine-seat passenger planes.

* Rhodes 101 to replace Jaspers in Jackson: Demolition on the Jaspers at 3618 E. Jackson Blvd. is expected to begin today. The move makes room for a new Rhodes 101 at that location.

According to Keith Boeller, president of Pajco Inc., which owns Rhodes 101 stores throughout Southeast Missouri, the new store will feature a new Beer Cave concept that will begin with this store.

Completion in March or April is expected, Boeller said.

The planned Rhodes 101 on East Main Street is one of several new development sites that Boeller said the company will be starting in the next 12 to 24 months. Boeller expects the East Main Street store to break ground sometime this year.

* New convenience store opens this week: Since late July crews have worked on building a new convenience store on 865 N. Kingshighway. The project should be completed this week, according to Midwest Energy owner Laura Younghouse.

The 3,000-square-foot store will have a larger selection of coffee, more healthy food choices like fresh fruit and sandwiches and a drive-through window.

Midwest Energy has been in business since 1980. Younghouse purchased the company in 1993.

* Land title company relocating: Guardian Land Title plans a move to the Sunset Towers development at 1020 N. Kingshighway, Suite G, sometime this month. According to Tom Kelsey, a broker with Lorimont Place Ltd., which handled the deal, the company needs the 1,550-square-foot site for additional operations area and space for transaction closings with clients. The business will move from 1467 N. Kingshighway.

* A holiday surprise: A Whitewater woman received a welcomed holiday gift. Ward Hyundai sponsored a contest that offered one lucky person a chance to win $15,000 in cash or a new car. Tina Eddleman was the winner and chose the cash prize.

Gary Wright of Ward Hyundai said, "She recently lost her job, so that was a welcome surprise for her. It couldn't have happened to a better person."

Southeast Missourian business reporter Brian Blackwell may be contacted at 388-3628 or bblackwell@semissourian.com.<I>