Today's newspaper may seem heftier than normal. That's because it contains the annual Progress edition. This year's edition, "Business and Industry" numbers 66 pages.

It traces the business accomplishments of Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois during 1999 and includes nearly 60 stories and 90 photographs.

The Top 60 employers in Southeast Missouri employ some 33,000 people. Procter and Gamble, Noranda Aluminum and LeeRowan employ the greatest number of workers in the region. All top 60 are listed, along with their employment numbers.

In the city of Cape Girardeau, Mid-America Motel Corp. is the largest employer. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale is the top employer across the river.

The sections also profile some of the largest industries in the region, with a look at their strategies for success.

City business openings in Jackson and Cape Girardeau are outlined, along with business closings in Cape Girardeau.

A comprehensive "Year in Business Review" allows readers to look back at the major business happenings in 1999 in words and photographs. This covers big news and small, openings and closings.

The sections examine tried-and-true business practices along with companies that are testing the waters with new technologies such as e-commerce. There's also stories on businesses that appeal to recreational habits such as golfing and television.

Cape Girardeau's two hospitals cooperate and compete. A cover story examines how the relationship has changed in the past year. Another article looks at the fact more younger people are turning to cosmetic surgery.

It's not just the big plants that are featured. One story examines the shortage of fast-food workers and the fact businesses are turning to incentives to attract workers with staying power.

It also examines the fact businesses in the region benefit from its access to river, air, road and rail transportation.