Wieser Honda awarded Honda's highest honor

Wieser Honda of Cape Girardeau has earned the Honda President's Award for outstanding performance in 2005. The award is presented to the Honda dealership that exhibits excellence in all areas of operation. Of the more than 1,000 Honda auto dealerships in the United States, 176 qualified for the award. This is the eighth time Wieser Honda has received the President's Award.

Business finance workshop Tuesday

A free, small-business workshop and luncheon will be held from noon until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Southeast Innovation Center, 920 Broadway, in Cape Girardeau. The seminar is designed for small business owners, local bankers, CPAs, lawyers, real-estate brokers, civic officials and those involved in fostering economic development. The event is presented by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center and U.S. Small Business Administration in cooperation with the EDC Small Business Finance.

The focus will be on the 504 fixed asset loan program, which can help eligible business owners expand their existing facilities, buy new equipment and pay for land and construction costs for new facilities. Minimum total project size is $125,000 with up to 90 percent financing available at a 10- or 20-year fixed interest rate.

Admission is free to the seminar, but seating is limited to 30 attendees and pre-registration is required. For more information, call Amy Gordon of EDC Small Business Finance toll-free at (877) 441-6880, extension 222.

Business counseling sessions available

The Small Business Development Center of Southeast Missouri State University will conduct counseling sessions for area small-business people and those planning new business ventures. The counselor, Gil Degenhardt, will be available from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, 1267 N. Mount Auburn Road. Call 335-3312 for an appointment. The hourlong sessions are free. Sessions will be available on from 10 a.m until 3 p.m. Thursday at the Southeast Regional Planning Commission, 1 W. St. Joseph St., in Perryville, Mo. Call (573) 547-8357 for an appointment.

-- From staff reports