Overheard

Springfield Business Journal columnist Marlene Chism was interviewed June 27 on WomensRadio online. Chism talked to WomensRadio Editor In Chief Pat Lynch about her years working the factory line and how that inspired Chism to launch her own company, ICARE – Improving Communication and Relationships Everywhere, to assist companies in human resource matters. Her new initiative, called Stop the Drama, helps professionals avoid drama in the workplace. Clients include NASA, The Detroit Free Press and the Department of Justice, nationally, and Great Southern Bank, Cox Fitness Center and the Springfield chamber, locally.

Dallas Flights

Targeting business commuters and needs, Joplin Regional Airport will add daily roundtrip flights to Dallas by September through new carrier Mesa Air Group, airport and city officials said last week. Earlier this year, Mesa won the U.S. Department of Transportation’s approval to be the airport’s subsidized essential air service carrier. Mesa also will begin serving Joplin with daily roundtrip flights to Kansas City on Aug. 1.

The airport plans to conduct two one-hour meetings to update business interests on the new air service, a passenger terminal project and plans for an updated control tower. The sessions will be at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. July 12 in the basement conference room at City Hall, 602 S. Main St. Reservations are requested and may be made by calling Stockam at the airport at (417) 623-0262, ext. 10, or Lynn Onstot, (417) 624-0820, ext. 204.

10% Ethanol Standard

Gov. Matt Blunt was on a farm near Joplin on July 5 to sign the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard Act. The legislation, House Bill 1270, requires gasoline sold in Missouri to contain 10 percent ethanol by 2008. Supporters say the bill will lead to many economic and environmental benefits, and Blunt suggests it’s a step toward reducing the country’s dependency on foreign oil.

According to the Missouri Corn Growers Association, ethanol is a clean-burning, renewable fuel made from fermented agricultural products such as corn. Three plants in Missouri already produce ethanol, and a fourth is under construction.

A group in Barton County is developing plans for a $40 million to $50 million plant. Additionally, James “Jimmer” Pinjuv, the developer of the 2,064-acre Wildwood Ranch west of Joplin, said that he is awaiting the results of a feasibility study regarding his planned $50 million to $60 million ethanol plant that would produce at least 100 million gallons a year.

Slice of Nice

The Discovery Center of Springfield is partnering with the Salvation Army to collect donations to provide local children with the school supplies needed for the upcoming school year. The drive runs through Sept. 30. Supplies can be dropped off in a barrel inside the Discovery Center lobby, 438 E. St. Louis St. Discovery Members will receive a free guest pass per family for each packaged item brought in, and nonmembers will receive a buy-one-get-one-free admission pass per family for each packaged item. Donated supplies must be new and in original packaging.