Seven properties will be showcased during a downtown commercial open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 27.

The building tour is being coordinated by Old Town Cape and sponsored by Realty Executives and Banterra Bank. Each property will be open to tour and participants can start the tour at any of the properties. A representative will be present at each property to answer questions.

The tour was organized as a way to highlight downtown properties available for lease or purchase, said Stan Penn, chairman of the Old Town Cape Economic Restructuring committee.

"We want people to know that there are great opportunities in downtown," Penn said. "It is a way to reach some people who may not otherwise have the chance to see these buildings and talk about their potential. We want people to consider downtown for business and investment."

The properties are at 1227 Broadway, 1105 Broadway, 635 Broadway, 325 Broadway, 121 Broadway, 36 N. Main St. and 20 N. Main St.

The property at 20 N. Main St. will serve as the reception area where participants can get more information, talk about opportunities and resources and see the vision of downtown. Present at the reception area will be the executive director of Old Town Cape and representatives from the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, the city of Cape Girardeau and the sponsors. Other people who can answer questions about the rehabilitation of buildings and doing business downtown will also be on hand.

Refreshments will be available.

For more information, visit www.oldtowncape.org/events or call 334-8085.

* The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has awarded more than $1.3 million in Conservation Innovation Grants to entities across Missouri, including Southeast Missouri State University, for a total of six projects that test and prove innovative approaches to conserving America's private lands. The project submitted by Southeast Missouri State University is an evaluation of soils having a subsurface controlled drainage system to reduce nitrate effluent discharges. USDA funding for this project will be $18,000.

* The Scott County University of Missouri Extension will host its ninth annual Multi-County Women's Health Conference on Oct. 19 at the Tanner Street Church of God in Sikeston, Mo. There is no charge to attend, but people should register by Sept. 28. The conference begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. It will include a series of speakers, breakout sessions and booth displays. The objective of the conference is to raise public awareness of organizations and services involved in and concerned with women's health in Scott, Stoddard, Mississippi, New Madrid and surrounding counties. For more information, call 573-545-3516.

Southeast Missourian Business Editor Melissa Miller can be reached by email at mmiller@semissourian.com or by phone at 388-3646.