Development

Tanning salon changes ownership, adds gift shop

Bahama Tan has added a retail gift shop offering packaged gifts, candles, t-shirts, swimwear and Disciple's Crosses. Melanie Little took ownership of the tanning salon in early October.

The business, located at 117 E. Jefferson St., Suite A in Jackson, offers single-session and unlimited monthly tanning. Bahama Tan is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. The phone number is (573) 243-7511.

Big River acquires Internet service provider

Cape Girardeau-based Big River Telephone has acquired local Internet service provider ATPRS.net. The telephone company will obtain all of ATPRS.net Internet customers and become their primary service provider. ATPRS.net is a division of advanced technology products that provides Internet and web hosting solutions to customers in Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Marble Hill, Mo.

In addition to serving as the primary provider, Big River will assimilate the same products and services to its newly acquired customers to make sure that they receive the same quality support that they did from ATPRS.net. Big River will also handle billing and honor remaining contracts regarding ATPRS.net customers' existing services.

Park Hills police, MAC get Homeland Security grant

PARK HILLS, Mo. — The Park Hills Police Department and Mineral Area College Public Safety were among 28 first responder agencies in the state to receive new equipment through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program.

The police department will receive night vision equipment, and the college program will purchase computer hardware and software to enhance and clarify video surveillance data. The grants include free training on the use and implementation of the equipment.

Poplar Bluff Taco Bell expands

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Taco Bell Express will be replaced with a large Taco Bell restaurant at the northeast corner of Poplar Street and Westwood Boulevard in Poplar Bluff. Improvements will include seating for 51 people, a drive-through lane and 25 parking spaces. While Taco Bell Express had only 10 employees, the new Taco Bell will employ 30. The new structure will be 28 feet wide and 76 feet long, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 1. The old building was removed in early November after the city of Poplar Bluff issued a building permit for the $600,000 project.

Farmington bank begins expansion

FARMINGTON, Mo. — A ribbon cutting was held recently to celebrate the expansion of Belgrade State Bank in Farmington. They will add 4,500 square feet to the existing 2,800 square feet. New features will include a full-service financial planning office, additional loan officer offices, new account representative offices, board room, larger lobby, coffee shop and lounge with WiFi capabilities.

Expansion underway at Fireplace Center/River City Masonry

The Fireplace Center/River City Masonry at 1028 N. Kingshighway in Cape Girardeau is in the process of renovating the business and adding 1,000 feet to its showroom.

During the expansion, the businesses will remain open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. To reach the two businesses, call (573) 335-2225.

The Fireplace Center is owned by David and Noretta Blattner and is managed by daughter-in-law Danette Ketcher. The business carries a full line of wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, gas fireplaces, stoves and logs, pellet stoves, fireplace mantels, screens, glass doors, tool sets, grates and other accessories.

River City Masonry is managed by the Blattner's son, Mark Ketcher, and specializes in various types of custom brick, block and stone work.

The Blattners recently purchased the lot located between the Fireplace Center and Food Giant and added a new parking lot in order to have better accessibility to offices in the upper floor of their business.

Nutrition Center construction begins

MALDEN, Mo. — A groundbreaking ceremony was held Nov. 17 for the New Malden Nutrition Center, to be located at the corner of Decatur and Main Streets in Malden. Morris Westfall, Missouri state director for USDA Rural Development, along with USDA Rural Development staff, were on hand to celebrate the beginning of construction.

Funding has been provided by USDA Rural Development Community Facility Loan funds and Missouri Department of Economic Development Community Development Block Grant funds. The city of Malden will repay the loan funds through proceeds from the Capital Improvement sales tax approved by voters prior to construction of the city's new police department facility.

Riverside Regional Library to relocate in February

In February, Riverside Regional Public Library will move from its current location at 204 S. Union St. in Jackson to the former Fred's building at 1997 E. Jackson Blvd.

Riverside has been housed in its current 8,000-square-foot building since the 1950s. Once the library changes locations, it will have 17,000 square feet of space. Library director Nancy Howland hopes the library will only close briefly during the move.

New features will include a study area, a single entrance and a larger volume of books and audio visual materials. Riverside shares 160,000 volumes of books and 18,000 volumes of audio visual materials with its other branches in Perryville, Altenburg, Scott City, Benton and Oran.

Howland said the old Fred's building was chosen because of its location, ample parking and additional lighting. The lease is for five years.

Construction of new Social Security building underway

A new Social Security facility is being built on Cape Center Drive in Cape Girardeau. The 9,738 square-foot structure is expected to be finished by March. It is being built by Lincoln, Neb.-based VerMas Construction.

New Aire Serve location

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Aire Serve, a full service heating and cooling business, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony in conjunction with the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce at the site of their new office, which will open this spring on South Broadway. Those present included Meagan Tucker, owner Connie Funke, owner Tim Funke, and Brad Smith and David Kearbey of Mossy Oak Properties.

Kirkman gets certification

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Erick Kirkman of Kissinger and Kirkman Investment Centre in Poplar Bluff has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards to use the certification marks CFP & Certified Financial Planner in accordance with CFP Board certification and renewal requirements.

These marks identify those individuals who have met the rigorous experience and ethical requirements of the CFP Board, have successfully completed financial planning coursework and have passed the CFP Certification Examination. Certificants also agree to meet ongoing continuing education requirements and uphold the CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Financial Planning Practice Standards.

Kirkman is co-owner of Kissinger & Kirkman Investment Centre in Poplar Bluff. He has been registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority since 1998 and also has the Accredited Asset Management Specialist designation. He lives with his family in Poplar Bluff. His office phone number is (573) 785-4174.

Coldwell names October's best

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Paul Arnold with Coldwell Banker Realty announces that Judy Giambelluca has been chosen as Top Lister and Producer and Laura Yarbro as Top Lister for October.

Giambelluca has 23 years of experience in the Poplar Bluff real estate market. She is a consistent Top Producer and a member of the Three Rivers Board of Realtors, Missouri Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors. She serves the city of Poplar Bluff as a member of the Fair Housing Board.

Yarbro, a full-time real estate agent, was born and raised in Poplar Bluff. She is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield with a master's in business administration. She has been in real estate for more than three years and is a member of the Three Rivers Board of Realtors, Missouri Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors.

Orscheln proud of shoe program

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — Orscheln Farm & Home, LLC, collected an entire truckload of gently worn shoes from its customers in September and sent the footwear to Soles4Souls, the international charity dedicated to providing free footwear to people in need around the world. Customers who participated received 20 percent off their purchase and thousands of pairs of usable shoes were donated to the Nashville-based charity. Orscheln operates 151 retail locations spanning nine states.