Talent Attraction and Retention are Key Pieces to Economic Development

Availability of skilled workers trailed only highway accessibility and labor costs as the most important factors in locating a new business facility, according to Area Development Magazine. This is a major issue throughout the United States, and the Cape Girardeau area is no different. Talent attraction and retention are key pieces to any successful economic development effort.

The Chamber understands this and is doing several things to affect our labor pool. Capable is a new community initiative focused on bolstering essential skills in our young people. The goal is to make them more employable after high school by teaching these life skills. connectCape is another program that puts students in local businesses for job shadowing. Intended outcomes are creating a greater awareness of local employment options, resulting in more graduates staying in the area. In addition, the Chamber has always been, and continues to be, a major supporter of Codefi and its entrepreneurial efforts.

Externally, the Cape Chamber is marketing the benefits of our region through a new website, www.capeishome.com. You are invited to check this out and see what people who have relocated to the area are saying about us. This is a powerful tool using real people, real businesses, real conversations and real results.

To learn more about how the Cape Chamber is making a difference in our local economy, visit www.capechamber.com.