Enterprise Zone Update.

During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Carthage Economic Development Director, Max McKnight brought Council Members updated on the progress of the Enterprise Zone.

Created in April 1993, the Enterprise Zone allows new or expanding businesses creating or maintaining two new jobs and $100,000 of new investments within the zone to qualify for certain tax advantages.

According to information through January 31, 1999 13 companies (nine existing and four new) have taken advantage of the tax credits available to qualifying businesses.

This has created 644 new jobs within Carthage, (479 by existing companies and 165 by new companies), and has provided the area with $75,898,893 in total new real property investment ($59,118,850 by existing companies and $16,780,043 by new companies.)

"This is a pretty impressive amount for little over five years for that type of investment," explained McKnight. "This says that for one thing, that we’ve got a good location, which helps for a lot.

And this is a testament to the community’s dedication to business, industry, and growth to the community."

McKnight said the Enterprise Zone benefits many businesses.

"It is put in place not only to bring in new businesses, but to let existing companies grow," he explained. "This is a really good tool that companies can look at, both new and existing, in order to expand."

Approximatly 75% of those taking advantage of the tax benefits have been exisisting buisnesses undergoing expansion projects.

Carthage’s Enterprise Zone can be compared to two cities of similar size.

In Marshell, MO, six companies have taken part of their zone with $24 million in new investments since begining in January 1992.

Mexico, MO’s Enterprise Zone has had nine compaines qualify, with approximatly $62 million in investments since October 1993.

Who is Rachel Stearns?

by Robin Putnam, artCentral

Things are really moving around here!! We have gotten soo much accomplished in the last week it's enough to make our head spin!!

As of last Saturday our art library was up and looking quite snappy!! A very big THANK YOU to Shellie for her time and energy unboxing and organizing all our precious books. She is quite a worker!! Once she had the books on the shelves we hauled a few pieces of Katherine's furniture down from the third floor and made the library really cozy. A loveseat, an overstuffed chair, a tapestry footstool and a couple of rugs make it a very inviting place to sit and read for a while!!

The great part about having Shellie help is she doesn't quit until everything is in it's place sooooo...that meant we didn't leave until the entire second floor had every room organized, swept and dusted!! Yeah!! Now we'll just hang Katherine's mirror collection on the hall walls and we're done with the office, library and both guest rooms!!

Speaking of guest rooms...we had Marc Smith from Chicago stay with us for three nights while he shared his 'slam poetry' with the High School students. We were glad to have him and look forward to his return.

Our two guest rooms are decorated with Katherine's furnishings and some of her paintings. The green room has Katherine's paintings in it so we'll call it Katherine's Room and the pink room has Rachel Stearn's paintings in it so that will be Rachel's Room. These guest rooms will be available to artists at no charge.

About Rachel Stearns....does anyone know who she is...or was? We found a number of her paintings in Katherine's belongings. She painted in the same style and used a palette very similar to Katherine's. Was she a student of Katherine's? A good friend who shared her love of bright colors and the beach? We really don't know. If anyone knows anything about her we would be very interested in hearing from you. Give us a call!!

Back to our renovations....a big THANK YOU to Susan for her help with pulling staples out of the hardwood floors and helping with the gunky job of cleaning the old finish off of the stairs!!

We will be vacating the Geranium House by Sunday. There's just one more load and we will have removed ourselves completely! We thank Lowell and Charlotte, again, for helping us get back on our feet. The G. House was a great place to start!! Best wishes to Heather Davis who plans to move into the Geranium House with her son James. It's a great place and deserves a nice family!!

Our first show is coming along nicely. The women have titled themselves and their new show 'Spring River Artists: A River Runs Through Us." Forming the group is Linda Simpson and Helen Kunze, Carthage, Randy Wright-Estes, Kim Kissel-Leffen, Nancy Kissel Clark and Tricia Courtney, Joplin and Kit Tuck, Lamar. We'll have more about them next time.

More........next week.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

It's gettin' ta be porch sittin' weather. Not too cool but not warm enough ta let the bugs get a foothold. The problem is sittin' on the porch ya always see those things ya didn't get done in the yard last summer. The temptation is ta get up and go do it.

Fightin' such temptations is a lot easier sittin' in front of the tv. Ya don't see that little spot ya missed paintin' up in the corner, or that one last piece a trim that ya never quite nailed down. Up ta now we're just talkin' 'bout things actually on the porch. Out in the yard there is always that stubborn elm that keeps tryin' to sprout up ever' spring. Somehow that one section a fence is startin' ta sag a little. Seems like most of my porch sittin' sessions end up with me tinkerin' with this or that. At least this time a year, the sun goes down soon enough ta keep those big projects on the back burner.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.

by

Oak Street health & herbs

Natural Nutrition.

by Mari An Willis

Good day! I'm so happy to see spring on the way. I have been out in my "spaces" looking at the early spring plant presentations. Doesn't quite smell like spring yet, but I know it is just around the corner. A few notes on herbs:

Goldenseal provides support to sensitive mucous membranes. With all the cold and flu going around now, sensitive membranes of the nose, bronchials, stomach may respond very well. This herb is traditionally used to fight infections much as an antibiotic.

Astragalus is considered an adaptogenic herb. Used to support the lungs and spleen and to assist the body in dealing with environmental influences.

Pau D'Arco is frequently used by those who suffer from chronic yeast infections. Some have found it beneficial in the treatment of sinus conditions. It is also popular in Europe for antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Plantain will be showing up in our yards before much longer. It is considered an important first aid herb. The leaves have been used to help stop bleeding and promote healing . It is consiedred an astringent herb. Don't put "broadleaf killer" on all of it, save some in case of bee sting or mosquito bites.

Mullein is already popping up. I tried for years to get one in my yard, now I have seen four baby plants scattered about. Mullein acts as an expectorant by bring up mucus. The oil of the flower relieves ear ache. When I was young, my Father discovered a small wart near my elbow and picked some mullein leif and rubbed it on my wart several times..no more wart.

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