CAPE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONSIDERS EXPANSION

"A lot of positive things are happening," said Harry Rediger, the new chairman of the board for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. "We're one of the larger chambers in the state. We have maintained a membership in excess of 1,500 and have good committees, and we're looking forward to 1993."

Election of officers, discussions concerning the board's involvement in city, county, state, highway, port, university and other matters were held during a two-day board retreat which ended Saturday at the Lone Star Industries Natatorium.

One of the actions of the board during the retreat was to appoint a task force to look into upgrading the chamber facilities.

"We need new facilities," said Rediger, who is in his third term on the board. "We have run out of space; we have run out of parking."

The chamber office is located at 601 N. Kingshighway.

"The facility at its present location has served us well," said Rediger, "but we're running of space, and we're looking toward an increase in membership."

Rediger is manager of JCPenney in Cape Girardeau.

Other new officers elected Saturday were Ollie Miller, chairman-elect; Ken Hayden, a new board member, vice chairman; and Jim Erlacker, treasurer. As outgoing chairman, John Mehner will serve on the executive committee. The new board takes office Jan. 1.

Also in attendance at the retreat were new board members, Hayden, senior vice president, Boatmen's Bank; Robin Tolbert, project engineer, K&K Electric; James A. Rust, president R&M Fabrics, Eagle One, C.D.I., and vice president of River Eagle Distributing; Roger Mainor, president and CEO of Magnetic Collectables, Inc.; Dennis "Doc" Cain, president of Doc Cain, Inc., d/b/a Port Cape Girardeau and Port Cape Girardeau West; and Ray Duffey, president, Bootheel Area Rapid Transportation (BART).

Speakers from a number of groups were on hand to discuss various topics during the retreat, including Freeman McCullah, Missouri Highway and Transportation Department District 10 engineer; Gene Huckstep, Cape Girardeau County Presiding commissioner; Neyland Clark, Cape Girardeau schools superintendent; Kala Stroup, Southeast Missouri State University president; J. Ronald Fischer, Cape Girardeau city manager; Alan Macke, of the Port Authority; Lyn Muzzy, director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau; and others.

Industrial recruitment is important, noted Rediger.

"We feel that one of the `key' needs for 1993 is the hiring of an executive director for the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association," said Rediger, "The chamber has a financial involvement in this and we support the total package," said Rediger, adding that the chamber has high hopes for the group and its goal of bringing new industry to this part of the state.

"We were pleased with the progress reports on streets and sewers in the city," said Rediger. "We support all of that, and will be in support of two key street projects which have yet to be funded Perryville and Hopper Road improvements." Rediger added that the board was also impressed with the proposal for the new soccer and softball fields. "We support that fully," he said.

It was the board's feeling that there is a need for new educational facilities, noted Rediger.

"Dr. Clark discussed improved academics for the city's public schools and plans for the new $22 million plus facilities which be placed before the voters in April," said Rediger.

"Dr. Stroup gave an update on the proposed new business building at Southeast Missouri State University. The board supports the new business building. We will help in any way we can to get this building going," said Rediger. "We'll also stay involved in state legislation.

"Lyn Muzzy showed us some impressive numbers concerning conventions and bus tours," added Rediger. "It's encouraging that these figures continue to increase, bringing people into our area. We support keeping the CVB alive and well."

McCullah updated the board on highway projects, including highways 25, 32, 74 and 60, along with the Mississippi River bridge project.

"He told us that first contracts on the dirt work for the bridge project will be that from Interstate 55 to the bridge," said Rediger. "Actual bridge construction could get under way within four to five years. We could have a bridge by the turn of the century," said Rediger.

Macke told the directors that much of the rail and road infrastructure was in place. "The chamber supports the port, and will be helping in conducting various foreign trade and other seminars and workshops," said Rediger.

"The board will also look into applying for an appointment of a chamber board member to the committee which will help in making the transitions to the ward voting system, which was approved recently by Cape Girardeau voters.

"Overall, we had a very productive two-day retreat," Rediger said.