CHAMBER EXPECTS TO CONTINUE GROWTH

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce begins this new year with admirable standing. The local chamber enters 1998 with the top membership of all Missouri cities of 50,000 or less population.

Cape Girardeau also stacks up well when compared to all other chambers in the state: third in total membership behind Kansas City and Springfield. Since the chamber's May blitz, the local chamber's membership stands at an impressive 1,200.

This is a tribute to dedicated chamber members who work hard to improve the local business scene. It also speaks well for chamber president John Mehner and his staff.

Doug Grosbeck, manager of the Southeast Missouri district for Ameren -- formerly Union Electric -- takes over as the new chairman. He follows Jim Wente, administrator at Southeast Missouri Hospital, who lead the chamber in first-rate fashion during 1997.

A number of new faces also join the board this year, ready to take on the local and national challenges facing business and industry.

The chamber had much to celebrate in the way of business last year: a major Procter & Gamble expansion, new development at the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority and the opening of several new large retail businesses. Chamber members also supported the Cape Public School master plan and bond issue, which passed in April. And progress was made on a number of highway and road projects.

There are also a number of issues on the chamber's plate this year, including the possibility of renewed involvement in the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The new chamber board members and officers will be officially welcomed at the annual meeting and dinner dance Jan. 30 at the Show Me Center. Two prestigious awards will also be presented that night: Small Business of the Year Award and the Rush H. Limbaugh Award.

The Chamber of Commerce works to improve the local community in many ways. Members focus on transportation, education and countless business issues. It provides information on what's happening on the business scene and a collective voice to call for change or improvement.

A new year always brings hope for progress and achievement. The chamber's new leadership seems ready for the challenge of helping the city's business and industry to prosper in 1998.