BUSINESS; CHAMBER SETS AGENDA, PICKS OFFICERS

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce will pursue all available options to be recognized as an Urbanized Area or its equivalent in the final U.S. Census 2000.

Some changes in the definitions of urban areas by the U.S. Census Bureau could be positive for Cape Girardeau County, which could possibly fit into the "Macropolitan Area" definition, which will be available for communities with cores of 50,000 to 999,999 population.

A Macropolitan Area designation could offer some economic advantages. The area could qualify for a number of federal block grants and economic development programs available only to former Metropolitan and Urban areas, and would receive more looks from businesses and industries seeking locations, said John Mehner, president of the Cape chamber.

Many companies, including industry, chain retailers and restaurants look at MSA listings when deciding where to locate.

Currently there are six MSAs in Missouri: Columbia, Joplin, Kansas City, St. Joseph, St. Louis and Springfield.

The chamber board of directors discussed a number of items during its annual retreat Friday.

The Chamber will partner with the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association to secure at least one new major employer or major expansion, of 50 or more employees, and continue the to address existing business concerns.

Also among the priorities discussed Friday was availability and training of the area's workforce, and involvement in education.

The board spent much of the day listening to speakers from the city, Cape Gir-ardeau Public Schools and Southeast Missouri State University.

New chamber officers were also elected.

Steve Leus, manager of Lone Star Industries, was selected new chairman. Other officers are Bill Kiel, St. Francis Medical Center Foundation, chairman elect; Kathy Swan, JCS/Tel-Link, vice chairman; and Skip Smallwood, Ameren-UE Services, treasurer.

Bart Ozbun, vice president and financial counselor-in-charge of the local Merrill Lynch investment office, is retiring chairman after serving two years at the position.

A number of new board members were also announced at the meeting.

New members are: Larry Dillon, manager at Dana Corporation; Chris Hutson, manager at Hutson Furniture; Thomas M. Meyer, president of Thomas L. Meyer Realty company; Cathi Schlosser, director of human resources with Rhodes 101 Convenience Stores; Denise Steward, executive director of the Girls Scouts of Otahki Council; and Melvin Van De Ven, a CPA, with Schott and Van De Ven.