Overheard

Midway through 2007, Missouri’s export sales are on pace to break a record-setting 2006. Statewide export sales through the end of June were $9.6 billion, a 14 percent gain over $6 billion reported during the same period last year. In 2006, export sales set a record of $12.8 billion.

Through June, 12 product categories each topped $100 million in export sales: transportation equipment ($2.6 billion); chemicals ($1.1 billion); machinery ($573 million); food and kindred products ($339 million); electrical equipment ($328 million); agricultural products ($268 million); computer and electronic products ($239 million); fabricated metal products ($216 million); minerals and ores ($187 million); primary metal manufacturing ($152 million); waste and scrap ($131 million); and plastics and rubber products ($117 million).

Ashcroft visiting Springfield

Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft will attend a Sept. 12 executive dinner with the Springfield business community and address the public on homeland security. Members of the business community are invited to attend the dinner at 5:30 p.m., at University Plaza Hotel.

The cost per plate is $50; call (417) 836-3069 to make reservations. Following the dinner, Ashcroft will head to Missouri State University’s Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts at 7 p.m. to discuss homeland security and its impact on the business environment.

Ashcroft’s speech is free and open to the public, but attendees are asked to call (417) 836-3069 or pick up tickets at any MSU TIX office. Ashcroft’s visit kicks off the Heartland Institute of Management Accountants’ Regional Council’s education conference that runs Sept. 13–14 at University Plaza.

One Salad at a Time

More than 50 McDonald’s of the Ozarks restaurants are partnering with Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks for the Eat Good Feel Good campaign. Through Sept. 23, area McDonald’s will donate 50 cents of every premium salad sold to BCFO. For more information about the campaign or BCFO’s services, contact Anne at (417) 862-3838 or anne@bcfo.org.

Slice of Nice

The 2007 Sertoma Chili Cook-Off raised $145,900 for projects at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. Sertoma members Kathy Staudt and Nick Burlison presented a check to Boys & Girls Club representatives before the Aug. 29 Springfield Cardinals game, dubbed “Sertoma Night” at Hammons Field.

About $100,000 will cover final expenses of the Henderson Unit gymnasium, to be completed in October in Grant Beach Park. Another $36,700 will provide dish-washing and game room equipment, a security system, phones and furnishings throughout the new Henderson unit.[[In-content Ad]]