Community Blood Center of the Ozarks Executive Director Don Thomson says the organization is in talks with St. John's about finding a use for CBCO's former headquarters at 2230 S. Glenstone Ave. St. John's spokeswoman Cora Scott confirmed that the health system has "exciting plans for a new service" at the location but declined to comment further until a lease agreement is in place.
Four locals crack Inc. 5000
Four Ozarks companies are among the nation's fastest-growing companies on the latest Inc. 5000 list, which debuted Aug. 12, and one firm is in the top 500.
At No. 449 is Springfield-based Electronic Check Services, which posted a 579.6 percent three-year growth rate and $14.1 million in revenue last year. The company, owned by father-and-son team Dennis Winfrey and Derron Winfrey, offers electronic check recovery, check conversion and check-processing software and other services.
The owners told Springfield Business Journal earlier this year that they anticipate doubling revenue to about $30 million in 2009.
America's Incredible Pizza, also based in Springfield, came in at No. 792, with a 369.3 percent three-year growth rate and $7.1 million in reported revenue last year. Incredible Pizza also was named the fastest-growing company in southwest Missouri at SBJ's Dynamic Dozen awards in March.
Ozark-based HealthcareFirst, also a 2009 Dynamic Dozen honoree, ranked No. 2,597 on the Inc. 5000 with 114.3 percent growth over three years and $5.7 million in 2008 revenue.
Branco Enterprises in Neosho came in at No. 2,722 with 106.8 percent growth and $83.2 million in 2008 revenue.
Seventy Missouri companies made the Inc. 5000, which is ranked according to percentage growth from 2005-2008. To qualify, companies had to produce revenue of at least $200,000 in 2005 and at least $2 million in 2008.
Missouri unemployment flat in July
Missouri's unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.3 percent in July, the state Department of Economic Development said Aug. 18.
Approximately 278,000 people were unemployed during the month, according to a DED news release. The not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the month was 9.4 percent, down a tenth of a point from June.
About 3,800 jobs were gained in durable goods manufacturing, while health care and social assistance added 1,300 jobs. Local government shed 3,300 jobs, largely due to schools closing for the summer, and construction lost about 2,000 jobs.
Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 4,500 jobs in Kansas City and 3,400 jobs in St. Louis but held steady in other Missouri metropolitan areas.
Nationally, unemployment was at 9.4 percent, seasonally adjusted, in July, down from 9.5 percent.[[In-content Ad]]
