Heard on the Street

TERMINAL. The Airport Board will hold an informational meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Greene County Courthouse (that's the historic place, not the newfangled judicial courts facility) to present its plan for a new midfield terminal. Airport officials project the increased use of the existing terminal will exceed capacity in eight to 10 years. Folks representing the Missouri Department of Transportation, Greene County and the city of Springfield will be in attendance to field questions about road access to the new terminal.

DEPOSITS. There are lots of whys, wherefores and context to numbers recently released by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, but by government numbers there's a new market-share king in Greene County banking. By the FDIC's count, Commerce Bank has 16.49 percent of deposits in the county. Commerce's $549.78 million in deposits as of June 30, 1999, move it up two spots to take the title. That deposit figure is up from the $515.1 million in deposits recorded by Commerce as of June 30, 1998. The federal agency annually issues its Market Share Report with breakdowns available by state, county and city. Mercantile Bank, which had led the market-share in Greene County in 1998's report, is now second with $480.18 million in deposits, or 14.41 percent of the county's total. On June 30, 1997, Boatmen's Bank led the Greene County market in deposits with 19.8 percent of the pie and $597.68 million in deposits. The 1999 FDIC figures peg NationsBank's (now Bank of America and back then Boatmen's) deposits at $462.82 million in Greene County, for 13.88 percent of the market. The FDIC's figures report total deposits in FDIC-insured accounts have grown in the county. There were $3.02 billion in Greene County deposits in 1997 compared to $3.33 billion in the latest 1999 report.

MILK. It seems of questionable news value, but here it is: dairy farmers favor price supports for milk and dairy products. John Wilson, a corporate vice president with Dairy Farmers of America, testified Feb. 8 before the Senate Agriculture Committee and expressed the cooperative's strong support for two federal programs. Wilson said the Federal Milk Marketing Order system, in place since 1937, stabilizes what would otherwise be a volatile market. "The market is further complicated by the fact that cows produce milk on a much different schedule than consumers use it." The Kansas City-based cooperative that used to make its home in Springfield likes the Federal Order system a lot, and not just for the next fiscal year. "DFA strongly advocates an indefinite continuation of dairy price supports," Wilson said. Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture revised the milk marketing system to reduce the number of orders. DFA favored that restructuring, but worked with Rep. Roy Blunt to revise the USDA's original decision to change the differential system. Wilson also testified in favor of the Dairy Export Incentive Program.

HOWDY, NEIGHBOR. Ozarks Farm & Neighbor, published by our old buddy Stan Coffman, was presented with the 1999 media award by the Show-Me Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society at the group's recent annual meeting in Osage Beach. The newspaper was recognized for its "leadership in journalism and dedication to farmers in southwest Missouri," according to Ken Bruene, the chapter's president. Coffman and his crowd started Ozarks Farm & Neighbor in September 1998.

LIFE. Yes, Feb. 14 is Valentine's Day. But that's not all. The day also falls in the midst of Life Insurance Week in Missouri, declared thus by Gov. Mel Carnahan for Feb. 13-19. "Whereas, the Missouri Association of Life Underwriters strives to inform consumers about life insurance by providing education, community service and public relations and by acting as a governmental liaison, I urge citizens of our state to recognize the importance of life insurance in our economy," Carnahan's proclamation read. The Missouri Association of Life Underwriters is a federation of local associations that represent 2,500 people in life and health insurance and its agency system. Would a dozen roses or a box of chocolates be out of the question for the life insurance person in your life?

SLICE OF NICE. The local Camp Fire Boys and Girls group is selling candy through the end of February. Proceeds benefit the club's programs for youth in Springfield and the surrounding area. The Ozarks Council of Camp Fire Boys and Girls serves more than 4,500 boys and girls in Springfield, southwest Missouri and northern Arkansas. For more information about candy sales or other programs, call 869-2844.

Got news about your business?

Send it to Heard on the Street, Springfield Business Journal, PO Box 1365. Springfield, Mo., 65801. Or fax it to 831-5478.