Overheard

Onshore Technology Services Inc. in Lebanon is creating at least seven jobs and investing $350,000 in new capital under the state’s community development block grant program. The city of Lebanon received a $140,000 CDBG Action Fund Loan to help spur the company’s growth, the Missouri Department of Economic Development said. Under the program, the state provides loans to certain types of for-profit companies that need funds for startup or expansion, after they have exhausted other sources. Projects can only be in cities with less than 50,000 in population or counties with less than 200,000 in population. Onshore Technology Services offers global outsourcing, business consulting and Web design and hosting, according to www.onshoretechnology.com. The Lebanon Daily Record has reported that Onshore intends to create at least 25 high-tech jobs by late 2008. The company also operates a 35-employee facility in Macon.

Leadership Springfield Applications

Leadership Springfield, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing community leaders, is accepting applications through March 31 for its 24th class, which begins in fall 2008. Thirty-two participants will be selected for the nine-month program, which includes two retreats and monthly daylong sessions on leadership dynamics, civic awareness, criminal justice and public safety, communications and technology, arts and quality of life, health and medical services, education and lifelong learning.

Those targeted for the program are emerging leaders from the community, businesses and professions. Candidates can apply at www.leadershipspringfield.com or call Kim Everest at (417) 862-5567. Leadership Springfield is an affiliate of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.

OTC Acts in Waynesville

Ozarks Technical Community College’s Board of Trustees has approved a motion to lease a new location for its Waynesville Education Center. OTC will lease 10,300 square feet in the Townfield Plaza Center in Waynesville from Davis Properties for five years, with an option to renew for an additional five years. The new space will provide the room and flexibility needed for OTC’s growth, the school said. OTC’s Waynesville Education Center is currently housed at Waynesville High School, and OTC has been limited in when it can offer classes and training. “We have found that demand for classes in the Fort Leonard Wood/St. Robert/Waynesville area falls primarily during the day, while we are currently only able to offer evening classes,” President Hal Higdon said in a news release. “The move to a larger facility demonstrates our commitment to providing accessible, quality education to the region.”

Slice of Nice

A Christmas party by the Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise raised $3,700 for two area charities. The Rotary Club presented $1,120 to the Ozarks Literacy Council to assist in buying books and resource materials and $2,600 to Ozarks Food Harvest to help purchase a second truck and trailer for its mobile food pantry program.

Ozarks Literacy Council provides free tutoring and learning services to those unable to read, write or compute at necessary levels. Ozarks Food Harvest distributes more than 4 million pounds of food annually to 29 southwest Missouri counties.