MOORE AND PERRYVILLE DON'T THINK `SMALL TOWN'

Jobs. For any community, it represents the golden ring on the merry-go-round of today's economy. As any city official will tell you, new jobs are tough to find.

But Perryville has had its share of good fortune in the jobs market in recent years. Much of the credit goes to Dianna Moore, who has served as executive director of the Perry County Industrial Development Authority the past eight years.

But come Aug. 15, Moore will be moving on. She has taken a position with the Missouri Department of Economic Development as the director of the state's Community Development Programs. Moore's expertise with economic development in a smaller community should benefit towns across the state.

In Perryville, the past eight years reflect impressive numbers.

Several major industries have situated in Perryville in that time, including an auto parts manufacturing company and a direct-mail printing company. Several existing businesses have undergone major expansions as well.

During her tenure, about 1,700 new jobs have been created. Unemployment has dropped from 14 percent to 5.7 percent.

Perryville has developed a reputation as one of Missouri's most successful small communities when it comes to economic development. Much of it is due to the community's aggressive and enthusiastic pursuit of new jobs.

All these improvements have come in a county of about 16,000 people, of which nearly 7,000 live in Perryville.

In addition to attracting new jobs, Perryville has worked hard to assist existing industries. Although that's where the real growth will come, too many towns forsake their home town businesses in search of bigger fish.

Perryville's job boom is a credit to the city and county. A number of city and chamber officials as well as volunteers deserve credit for the growth.

But Moore has certainly served as a catalyst for growth in Perry County as its first and only economic development director. During her tenure, two more industrial parks have opened, Perryville has designated an enterprise zone, and the Industrial Development Authority has grown to an annual budget of $74,000. Her successor will have much to build upon. Many larger towns would like to have duplicated Perryville's economic successes of recent years.

Moore and Perryville have proven that working in a small town doesn't mean you have to think small. We applaud Dianna Moore and the people of Perryville for their exemplary efforts. Businesses, restaurants, stores, and medical facilities throughout the region all benefit from this growth.