Overheard

Springfield Trust Co. has added “investment” to its name to better define the company’s offerings, officials say. The change to Springfield Trust & Investment Co. was announced in the company’s September newsletter, which also indicated the firm was opening an Osage Beach division office under the name Missouri Trust & Investment Co. Trenny Garrett was hired to manage the office, 5179 U.S. Highway 54. Garrett was in private law practice before working the past 10 years in investments for a Missouri bank.

No. 47 and Climbing

Springfield ranked No. 47 this year, up 30 spots from 2005, on Milken Institute’s Best Performing Cities index, released last month. The index measures job creation and retention, economic performance and high-tech output. Springfield earned its best score, No. 14, for its five-year concentration of high-tech output. Its five-year job growth earned a No. 40 ranking, and its five-year wages and salaries growth received a No. 44 ranking. Other Missouri cities to make the index were Kansas City, at No. 116, and St. Louis, at No. 125. The No. 1 metropolitan area on the index was Ocala, Fla.

Fast Freedom, Fast Sale

Joplin-based Empire District Electric Co. (NYSE: EDE) sold its Internet service provider, Fast Freedom Inc., to Granby, Mo.-based Stouffer Communications Inc. Fast Freedom also performs Web site hosting. The sale, for which officials would not disclose a price, is not expected to have a material effect on Empire’s earnings, cash flows or results of operations in the third quarter, according to a company news release.

Lights Out Savings

Retailers across Missouri, including two in Springfield, are partnering with their local utilities to offer rebates on energy-saving light bulbs. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Energy Center has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy’s 2007 Change a Light, Change the World Campaign.

Through Dec. 31, Missouri residents can receive a $2 instant rebate on Energy Star-qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs at participating retailers. In Springfield, City Utilities has partnered with Rathbone Ace Hardware, 508 E. Commercial St., and Westlake Ace, 2350 S. Campbell Ave., to sell the discounted bulbs that, with the rebate, sell for as little as 99 cents, according to a DNR news release.

The campaign is encouraging residents to replace the five most-used light bulbs in their homes with compact fluorescent bulbs. In an average home, the most frequently used light fixtures are the kitchen ceiling dome light, living room table lamp, living room floor lamp, bathroom vanity light and outdoor porch or post light. Replacing those bulbs can save a household at least $60 per year in energy costs, according to the release.

CU is one of eight Missouri utilities, and the two Springfield hardware stores are among 58 Missouri retailers, participating in the campaign. A list of all participating utilities and retailers is available at www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/changealight.htm.[[In-content Ad]]