CAPE, JACKSON ON LIST AS BEST CITIES

Their small-town character, supply of good jobs and freedom from stress earned both Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Mo., high marks in a report by an online newsletter.

The Demograhics Daily ranked Cape Girardeau and Jackson among 141 "dreamtowns" in the United States. Cape Girardeau ranked 37th. Jackson's ranking was unavailable.

The newsletter rated the quality of life in 632 small cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000.

Cape Girardeau officials thought its ranking should have been higher.

"I would have picked us as No. 1," said City Manager Michael Miller.

Mayor Al Spradling III said the ranking is a tribute to the people of Cape Girardeau.

Spradling said, "We have a lot of the amenities of bigger cities but are smaller and more livable."

The recognition is not something the city strives for but "it's something we are honored to have," said Steve Wilson, Jackson's city administrator.

Neither Cape Girardeau nor Jackson officials knew of the honor.

Wilson said the honor is nice because "the alternative is to be on a worst cities list."

The newsletter ranked cities in the categories of vitality, supply of good jobs, freedom from stress, connection to cultural mainstream, support for schools, access to health care, low cost of living and small-town character.

Cape Girardeau earned its highest marks in support for schools, low cost of living and access to health care.

Success often brings success, said Dr. Dan Steska, schools superintendent. As the community continues to support its schools, then messages get out and "there's a sense that the community truly values its schools."

Jackson has been "fortunate to have the support of the community and that is the key to all the criteria," Wilson said. Without people concerned for their community, Jackson wouldn't be able to provide the quality service it offers its residents.

The good status "will give the area a very good tool for trying to get both business and industry," Miller said.

Often companies look at quality of life and "this is a measurement of that" and this is important when they consider expanding or relocating staff, he added.

Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commernce chief executive officer John Mehner said the designation is "another piece of the puzzle." Companies don't always base their decisions on such matters, but "it's nice to be recognized."

Demographics Daily classified the cities that earned scores of 80 or higher on a 100-point scale as "dreamtowns."

"We found many types of dreamtowns around the country -- ranging from resorts and state capitals to college communities and good, old-fashioned small towns," said G. Scott Thomas, editor of Demographics Daily.

Life in larger metropolitan areas is more hectic and confusing, and people are looking for ways out of the city, he said.

"Our goal," Thomas said, "is to provide them a list of small cities that offer relief from metropolitan hassles."

Surrounding cities like Carbondale, Ill., and Murray, Ky., also made the "dreamtown" list.

For more information about the "dreamtowns" listings, check the newsletter's Web site at www.bizjournals.com/journals/demographics. Visitors to the site must register, which is free, to see the listing and city comparisons.