Southeast Missourian

The Southeast Missouri State University Foundation beat out a Chicago firm to retain the contract to operate Cape Girardeau's motor vehicle license office.

The foundation, which has operated the license office at 112 S. Spanish St. since 1993, won the first competitive bidding process for the contract. Applus+ Technologies Inc., a company that specializes in operating emissions testing stations and car registration systems, is seeking several other Missouri license offices along with its bid for the Cape Girardeau office.

In its bid, the foundation promised to return to the state 2 percent of its first-year revenue. License offices are often called fee offices because private operators make money on fees on each transaction. Bidding has closed on the Jackson license office, but no contract award has been made.