A BOOM YEAR

With just five months gone, Cape Girardeau is having a boom year in commercial construction. The city already has issued building permits for $14.3 million of new commercial project, surpassing the $13.1 million in 1994.

The building activity is yet another gauge of the city's importance as a regional commercial center that serves much of Southeast Missouri and big chunks of Southern Illinois and western Kentucky and Tennessee.

As commercial development grows, there are plenty of spinoff effects: Existing retailers see an increased customer base, city and county government see additional sales-tax revenue, real estate agents see more people interested in moving here and buying or building homes and the reputation of Cape Girardeau as the place to go for shopping, health services and higher education grows that much stronger.

Drive around town and take a look. There are signs of growth and development everywhere. In addition to all the commercial activity, there are new homes, major projects on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University and highway construction.

It all adds up to a good year.