Loans for small businesses

JEFFERSON CITY | Two Northwest Missouri businesses received state small business loans last week.

Ribeye and Ropers Ranch, a small cattle operation near King City, will receive a $25,000 low-interest loan. The business will use the funds to boost operating capital, purchase equipment and renovate a barn in an operation that has 24 head of cattle, one bull and seven steers.

The other area loan recipient was Remmers Design of Bethany. The sign company will receive a $25,000 loan.

Heating bills expected to be lower this winter

Natural gas rates will increase for St. Joseph customers starting today, but overall heating bills will be lower compared to last winter, the Missouri Public Service Commission said.

Missouri Gas Energy is increasing the wholesale cost of natural gas for its customers, including those in St. Joseph, from 54 cents per hundred cubic feet, or CCF, to 70 cents. That’s a 29 percent increase from the summer rate to the winter rate, but it’s still lower than the overall rate in the winter of 2008-09.

The PSC, which regulates MGE and other investor-owned utilities, said the average MGE customer is expected to pay $555 for natural gas heating from November to March. Last year, the average customer paid $709.

The wholesale cost of natural gas, which MGE passes straight to customers, makes up 65 percent to 75 percent of the typical monthly bill.

Tom Imhoff, supervisor of the PSC staff’s energy department, said natural gas costs will be lower this winter because of several factors, including a calm hurricane season in the Gulf Coast and lower overall energy costs throughout the summer.

He said the cost of heating your home could change this winter due to two reasons: MGE can pursue another wholesale rate adjustment in January, and a proposal for a general rate increase is pending with the PSC.

Speaking of gas rates ...

JEFFERSON CITY | The Missouri Public Service Commission’s Cold Weather Rule, designed to help customers with heat-related utility bills, begins today. The rule will remain in effect through March 31, 2010.

The Cold Weather Rule applies to natural gas and electric utilities under PSC jurisdiction, including Missouri Gas Energy in St. Joseph.

The Cold Weather Rule:

Prohibits the disconnection of heat-related service when the temperature is predicted to drop below 32 degrees during the following 24-hour period.

Provides more lenient terms permitting reconnection of service for natural gas customers.

Prohibits the disconnection of registered elderly and disabled customers who meet certain income guidelines who make a minimum payment.

Requires that customers be notified by mail 10 days before the date the utility intends to shut off service.

Atchison firm involved in acquisition

ATCHISON | Leading hardlines distributors Blish-Mize Co. of Atchison, Kan., and House Hasson Hardware of Knoxville, Tenn., have acquired Hardware House Products Co. to form Hardware House LLC.

Hardware House, initially launched in 1999, provides retailers with a diverse product offering and an alternative to brand-name products, offering better margins to the retailer.

“Hardware House now has the stability and strength to move forward because of this acquisition,” said John H. Mize, president and CEO of Blish-Mize Co. “We are now able to offer retailers one of the broadest private label lines in the marketplace.”

Jonathan Mize has been appointed president and chief operating officer of Hardware House.

The Hardware House product assortment includes builder’s hardware, cabinet hardware, lighting, ceiling fans, bath hardware, plumbing, hand tools, power tool accessories, locks, paint tools and vinyl flooring among other offerings.

Blish-Mize was founded in 1871, and House Hasson started in 1906.

— From staff and wire reports