Chamber of Commerce to operate Cape Area Magnet

The Cape Girardeau Area Magnet board has contracted with the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce to operate the regional economic development organization.

The Magnet board includes representatives from Cape Girardeau County, the city of Cape Girardeau, the city of Jackson and the city of Scott City.

Former Cape Girardeau Area Magnet executive director Mitch Robinson left in March, after his contract was not renewed by the board. In June, Magnet announced it was postponing its search to replace Robinson. After going through a personal interview process, the search committee and the Magnet board of directors determined the finalist candidates did not meet desired qualifications for the position.

Since then, the Magnet board looked at the structures used by various economic development groups across the country and found that many successful entities contract with chambers to provide these services.

The chamber will use a "team approach" and work with area partners and board members to accomplish Magnet's mission, according to a news release.