Aug. 4--The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. today at the Commerce Center, 401 Kentucky Ave., for the Bethel University Master of Business Administration program.

Online video lectures and podcasts allow students to set their own schedule and pace for learning with the McKenzie, Tenn., school, said Catherine Foster, Bethel MBA recruiter.

"Students can complete the program in 14 to 19 months, depending on the pace they choose," she said. Bethel provides students laptops and iPods to use in business professions after completing the program.

Information: 1-877-423-8435.

USEC Inc. on Monday reported second-quarter net income of $17.3 million, or 11 cents per share, up from $10.8 million, or 8 cents per share, during the same period a year ago.

The Bethesda, Md., firm earned $15.2 million both for the six months ending June 30 and the same period last year, but earnings per share rose from 10 to 12 cents.

USEC, which operates Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, sold substantially more enriched uranium during the second quarter, said John Welch, president and CEO. Overall revenue rose to $514.3 million, compared with $249 million during the same period last year, as customers refueled nuclear power reactors on established schedules.

Last week, USEC decided to stop building a new enrichment plant at Piketon, Ohio, after being denied a Department of Energy loan guarantee. The move is expected to extend the Paducah plant beyond its 2012 anticipated closure.

Pilgrim's Pride has replaced about 12 jobs with contracted workers at its Mayfield plant and plans to idle two plants elsewhere amid bankruptcy reorganization.

The displaced workers were offered other positions at the complex, said Karla Harvill, spokeswoman for the Pittsburg, Texas, firm. She said the move was to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

The company said it will close a 640-employee chicken processing plant in Athens, Ala., and a 330-worker plant in Athens, Ga., within 60-75 days to be more cost-efficient. Pilgrim's Pride, which will merge those plants with other operations, said it hopes to place many of the workers at other plants.

Business Editor Joe Walker wrote this column.

Biz Buzz now appears on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Got a tip? Call Joe Walker at 575-8656, send a fax to 442-7859 or e-mail buzz@paducahsun.com.

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