ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: THE KEYS TO SUCCESS; TIME AND COMMITMENT

Allan Maki is Executive Director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority

At the outset, I would state that I am very much encouraged by the potential organization of a coordinated metropolitan economic development office. With the serious competition that we face from neighboring states and international pressures, it is important that we band together to not shed economic blood locally.

The integration of what were separate and often disparate economic efforts of past years into a unified economic development office is a positive step. Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City each have many separate advantages and a few disadvantages. Collectively, they can provide a wider range of options and yet still call upon our best strengths: quality of life, quality work force, strong medical community, strong educational community and low costs.

The Mission

It will be important for the new economic office to establish a mission statement that can be applied to all situations. It is important that this effort succeed and not dissolve into provincial arguments that result in no one winning.

A unified and united front, backed by the financial committment and sincerity so far expressed is great news for our area. This project will have the ability to centralize marketing efforts, standardize information to prospects, dedicate action to niche markets and coordinate with other economic development agencies and missions.

If there is a note of caution it is this: we must give this concept a realistic amount of time in which to be successful. Three years of funding is a good start, but good wages and long-term employment takes time and effort. It will not be a success if everyone starts counting each job from job one and putting them into separate tally columns. Every job created whether in Cape or Jackson or Scott City benefits us all.

Progressive action

We are a community of communities, full of potential. Yet, it will take this type of unified effort to achieve the optimum benefit from our resources. I applaud this instance of leadership. This is an example of progressive action backed by funding. I am fully in support of this endeavor and look forward to assisting in the effort.