Economy

A new incubator that will cultivate creative businesses and technologies may soon land on Broadway Street in Cape Girardeau. The project is spearheaded by Southeast Missouri State University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and now hinges on receiving $500,000 in federal Community Development Block Grants.

At a public hearing during Monday night’s city council meeting, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship executive director Dr. James Stapleton said the incubator would be for all sorts of creative endeavors, such art, design, programming and 3D modeling.

Southeast Missouri State University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is developing a new mobile platform for its Operation Jumpstart program to bring entrepreneurial training to more communities.

Operation Jumpstart has trained over 1,000 entrepreneurs who have started 350 businesses. With the web-based platform, Operation Jumpstart will reach individuals and communities that cannot attend face-to-face classes, and take advantage of digital technology to link budding business owners with mentors and coaches throughout the region.

The city of Cape Girardeau is saving about $64,000 per year with its new automated leaf pickup service. The city spent about $88,000 on average between 2009 and 2011 on leaf pickup. The city first used the new leaf pickup system in 2012, and spent approximately $24,500.

Public works director Tim Grambling said under the old system, the city used 24 employees and 15 pieces of equipment to pick up leaves in November and December. Now, they use one piece of equipment and one employee.