Memo 3/12/07

High-speed Net via satellite now available

Network Communications of Cape Girardeau announced Friday it will begin offering WildBlue high-speed Internet via satellite service to Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois through WildBlue's new satellite, WildBlue-1, on March 23. WildBlue provides high-speed Internet access via satellite to homes and small businesses in rural areas not currently served, or underserved, by other high-speed providers. WildBlue-1 will allow WildBlue to more than triple its customer capacity, making high-speed Internet service available to more than 750,000 rural consumers throughout the continental United States.

Internet tool for entrepreneurs unveiled

The U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a new Internet tool for small-business owners last week.

Delivering Success is an online video-on-demand resource for entrepreneurs. Its video interviews, online at www.sba.gov/deliveringsuccess, chronicle the experiences of successful entrepreneurs from around the country, offering guidance and sharing insight on the road to success.

Missouri job growth at 80,000, Blunt says

Republican leaders last week claimed efforts to make the state more business-friendly have created nearly 80,000 jobs since January 2005.

Gov. Matt Blunt said Tuesday laws approved since he took office that add restrictions to workers compensation and civil lawsuits have prompted employers to bring new jobs to Missouri, although he acknowledged that the overall improved national economy has helped.

According to federal labor data, Missouri had an increase of 53,000 jobs from January 2005 through December 2006, the latest month for which figures were available Tuesday. That's a 2 percent growth rate that ranked Missouri 36th in the nation. In 2006 alone, Missouri's growth rate ranked 44th nationally.

Lawmakers in 2005 restricted who can be held liable in personal injury lawsuits and where those cases can be heard.But House Minority Leader Jeff Harris said Blunt's policies have promoted lower-paying jobs and pointed to the numbers that show Missouri has lagged behind other states.

Date for customer service class changed

The date of the upcoming customer service class in Malden, Mo., has been changed to April 5 instead of later this month. The class will be offered at 6 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce offices at 123 W. Main St. in Malden by the University of Missouri Extension Small Business Development Center. The class will focus on a retailer's or service provider's ability to increase the level of customer service and tie that increase to sales. Seminar attendees will learn how to evaluate a customer's satisfaction level, how to move it to a higher degree of satisfaction, check for satisfaction and how to deal with difficult customers. To make a reservation, call 243-3581. Seating is limited.

-- From staff, wire reports