On the Street

No sale … yet
Officials with John Q. Hammons Hotels Inc. and an investor group named JQH Acquisition LLC have extended their exclusive negotiating period through March 10. It was scheduled to expire Feb. 28. A deal had not been reached as of March 2. JQH Acquisitions’ last reported offer was $24 per share for Hammons Hotels’ Class A stock. According to David Sullivan, the chairman of a special committee established to review the proposal, the hang up is particular to “the various arrangements proposed between the investor group and Mr. Hammons.”

$47 mil for emergencies
The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency will receive a $46.9 million Department of Homeland Security grant to fund homeland security programs. U.S. Sens. Kit Bond and Jim Talent and U.S. Congressman Roy Blunt secured the grant for Missouri’s first responders to emergencies. The funds will be used to prevent, respond to and recover from terrorist-related chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive incidents, cyber attacks and natural disasters.

Faith-based business
The U.S. Small Business Administration has created a faith-based and community initiatives center to help nonprofit, grassroots organizations learn about accessing SBA-backed programs and loans. As part of the initiative, all current technical assistance grant recipients, including SCORE, Women’s Business Centers and Small Business Development Centers, have extended their programs to faith-based and other nonprofit organizations that focus a significant portion of their activities on aiding small businesses. The intent is to put these groups on equal footing for federal dollars. SBA field representatives are developing workshops, training seminars and open houses. More information can be found at www.sba.gov/fbci.

Slice of Nice
Everybody knows a hero. The American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter and KY3 have picked 10 local heroes to recognize at the fifth annual Everyday Heroes breakfast and awards ceremony March 15 at Oasis Inn and Convention Center. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. Honorees are Donna Willoughby, Kevin Huffman, Mike and Linda Cheek, John Bullard, David Eslick, Jim Lawrence, Kevin Collier and Matt Gravelin, of Springfield; David Hall, of Rogersville; and Bob Stewart, of Cotter, Ark.

Twice of Nice
The Southwest Missouri Office on Aging is seeking candidates from Greene County to serve on its board of directors. Interested county residents should file a declaration of intent with the organization before March 31. Declarations are available by calling (417) 862-0762 or by visiting www.swmoa.com. Board members serve three-year terms and are responsible for budgeting federal dollars and reviewing and adopting aging program policies. Elections will be held May 10.
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