The Better Business Bureau is expanding operations to Cape Girardeau and will open an office in October in the Auburn Park Place office building at 3065 William St.

The bureau chose a location on the west side of the city because of heavier traffic flow and the need to be accessible to residents, said Michelle Corey, president and CEO of the St. Louis BBB.

The St. Louis office covers 92 counties in eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois, and choosing Cape Girardeau for another office wasn't as easy as throwing a dart at a map, Corey said.

The not-for-profit bureau recruited help from a class at St. Louis University that analyzed potential locations for the office's expansion.

Cape Girardeau was selected for many reasons, Corey said, including the city's general make up, location, media market, educational institutions such as Southeast Missouri State University, the fact that it is home to "dynamic business leaders" such as the Drurys, as well as the growth of the area and its progressive character.

"Now it's a matter of implementing our action plan to make it happen, and we continue to work toward that," she said.

Though the office will be small -- with about two employees -- it will allow the bureau an opportunity to work toward its mission "to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust," with a focus on Cape Girardeau and surrounding communities, including Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Carbondale, Illinois, Corey said.

Consumers will be able to visit the Cape Girardeau office to ask questions and find information on local businesses and charities, as well as voice business concerns or complaints. More information on qualifying for BBB accreditation also will be available at the office.

Cape Girardeau has 64 BBB-accredited businesses, 43 in Carbondale and 20 in Poplar Bluff, according to a release from the bureau.

The BBB plans to put its physical presence in Cape Girardeau to use and work with the local business community, established organizations, schools and news media for community outreach and education about business ethics, as well as business tips, warnings and scams.

The BBB now is forming an advisory board of community business leaders who will meet with the office on a regular basis to "provide direction and oversight," Corey said.

The new office is expected to be up and running in October.

For more information about the BBB, visit its Facebook page or bbb.org/stlouis.

ashedd@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent address:

3065 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.