EVERYTHING ON "GO" FOR $20 MILLION, 500-JOB PROJECT AT FARMINGTON

Everything is "on go" for Huffy's move to Farmington, Mo.

Huffy Corp., a leading U.S. bicycle manufacturer, is looking for an October start in the St. Francois County facility.

Economic development officials at Farmington recently received a boost in plans to acquire the 200,000 square foot FMA Corp. building, which will be leased to Huffy. Congressman Bill Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, announced that a $985,000 Commerce Department Economic Development Administration grant had been approved for the city to accommodate the company.

"This is good news for Farmington, St. Francois County and the state of Missouri," said Emerson. "I have been working directly with the Commerce Department, and it was great to learn that the grant was approved just before the Fourth of July holiday."

Jim Dismuke, economic development coordinator for Farmington, said, "We've had some highs and lows. We want to commend Congressman Emerson for his persistence and his office for working so hard on our behalf."

Huffy Corp., based in Dayton, Ohio, announced in February that Missouri had been selected from four potential sites for the new factory. The company plans to renovate the former FMA building, adding 105,000 square feet for additional warehouse space.

The project, which will create 500 new jobs averaging about $6 to $7 an hour, will generate $13 million in private investment in the $20 million project. Missouri is working with Huffy on incentives, including a $5 million low-interest loan, a $500,000 industrial infrastructure grant, job training programs worth more than $1 million and $200,000 in neighborhood assistance tax credits.

Huffy, founded in 1928, has about 30 percent of the domestic bicycle market. The company also makes lawn and garden tools and the Gerry line of child care products.

Abbey Home Healthcare has opened its newest facility in Cape Girardeau.

Abbey, a provider of home health care products and services, opened its 230th branch at 2144 Town Plaza Shopping Center.

"We have played a significant role in home care within the St. Louis community for 15 years," said Mark Weimer, regional vice president. "We are excited about the opportunity to expand our services and extend our geographic reach. We are now able to offer this community a fully integrated home healthcare delivery system."

An open house will be held at the facility Thursday, following a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:30 p.m.

Abbey, a subsidiary of Abbey Healthcare Group, Inc., based in Costa Mesa, Calif., provides oxygen, respiratory therapy, home medical equipment, infusion services and other health services to patients in Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Perryville and surrounding communities.

The new branch -- one of eight in Missouri -- employs eight persons, including branch manager, sales representatives, respiratory therapist and patient care coordinators.

Abbey Healthcare Group operates in 49 states. Its majority-owned subsidiary, Abbey Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., provides pharmaceutical and therapy services to long-term care facilities in 24 states.

About $4 million in construction permits were issued in Cape Girardeau during June.

The total was boosted by two larger projects -- a $672,000 office building by Drury Southwest at 101 S. Farrar, and the $750,000 Walgreen Drug Store, to be constructed at the intersection of Kingshighway and Independence.

Other notable commercial projects obtaining permits in June include the 17,780-square-foot retail space expansion at 1809 N. Kingshighway, in the amount of $300,000, and a $180,000 building at 116 S. Broadview, which will be leased to the American Red Cross.

A dozen residential home permits were issued, totaling about $1.1 million, and one duplex permit was issued for $159,000.

More than $250,000 in permits were issued for a variety of projects, including decks, carports, residential remodeling and expansions, and swimming pools.

Construction permits for the first six months of 1994 total over $14 million.

Branson, an Ozarks tourist town, keeps booming.

Permits were issued in June for $29.9 million in construction, most of it commercial.

Approved construction includes three major retail centers -- the $19 million Tanger Mall, a $5.5 million Factory Merchants Mall expansion and $2.6 million for a new Kmart store.

The total value of construction in the first six months of 1994 reached $57.3 million, compared to $55 million in the first six months of 1993. Last year, construction permits totalled $136 million.

Roland Kitchen, building director at Branson, said fewer than 20 new homes have been built in the city this year.

ELSEWHERE:

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- Entertainer/businessman Merv Griffin and Players International chairman and CEO Ed Fishman joined local and state officials to dedicate the new Merv Griffin Theater at Metropolis last weekend.

The theater, located adjacent to the Players Riverboat Hotel Lobby on the banks of the Ohio River, opened in late June.

The Opryland production of "Hitmakers," a musical revue featuring song and dance favorites from down-home country to high energy rock, is currently playing at the new 300-seat theater.

The hotel, which opened in early March, and the theater are part of the Players International complex, which also includes Merv's Bar & Grill and the Players Riverboat Gambling Casino.

SIKESTON -- Newton Insurance has moved into new quarters at Sikeston.

The firm, founded in 1970, recently moved to 124 E. Center in downtown Sikeston.

The Newton agency offers a full line of personal and commercial insurance.

KENNETT -- The first cotton bloom of the season has been reported.

The bloom was found on the Shawn Nowlin farm in Dunklin County.

The cotton, type DES 119, was planted April 22, and bloom was discovered June 30.

CHARLESTON -- The world's largest display tractor will be shown Thursday at Medlin Equipment Co. in Charleston.

The monster display -- a cold-air balloon -- is a replica of the Case IH 7250 Magnum Replica. It is 45 feet long, 30 feet tall and 24 feet wide.

Medlin Equipment Co. is hosting a "customer appreciation day" Thursday.