CHAMBER PRIORITIES DISCUSSED AT RETREAT

It has been a good year for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber is in a new building, its membership has remained steady at more than 1,100, and Cape Girardeau acquired more than 500 new jobs. "And Proposition A was defeated," said John Mehner, chamber president.

"The chamber felt that Proposition A, a proposal to raise Missouri's minimum wage to $6.25, would be devastating to the state's economy, and we led an effort to defeat the issue," said Mehner.

Mehner's remarks followed the annual chamber retreat Friday at the Lone Star Natatorium. Discussed at the daylong session were a number of topics, including industrial development, chamber memberships, schools and education.

James W. Wente, administrator at Southeast Missouri Hospital, is new chamber board chairman, succeeding Dennis Marchi, manager of Schnucks Food and Drugs. Marchi will remain an ex-officio on the board for one year.

Other new officers elected Friday were Doug Groesbeck, Union Electric, chairman-elect; Howard Meagle, KFVS Television, vice chairman; and Jay Knudtson, Boatmen's Bank, treasurer.

"We're looking forward to the new year," said Wente. "One of the priorities for 1997 is to work with the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Association to secure at least one new major employer, or a major expansion to create 50 new jobs."

One of the major priorities of the chamber, said Wente, is to continue the Community Based Economic Development Plan, designed to access and address any existing business and industry concerns.

"We're excited about the new bridge," Wente said in reference to the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, which will span the Mississippi River just south of the existing bridge. Work is under way on the bridge, which is expected to be completed in 2000.

"We'll continue to work with area legislators, Missouri Department of Transportation and all necessary parties to continue funding for the bridge," said Wente.

Other priorities for the new year:

-- Work with the public school system to start implementation of its new master plan.

-- Work to reach a consensus on local health-care issues.

-- Becoming a partner with the SEMO Regional Industrial Training Group to insure a skilled labor source.

-- Continue established partnerships to add additional affordable housing.

-- Research methods and make recommendations on improving membership recruitment and retention. The Cape Girardeau chamber is the third largest in the state, with membership ranging from 1,125 to 1,250.

Wente said he was impressed with the membership. He welcomed new board members at the retreat and thanked existing board members for their efforts.

Wente said the board would be seeking input and participation from all members. "We want to know what members like or dislike," he said. "We're looking at some good things in the future."

Speakers Friday included Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling; Dr. Dale Nitzschke, president of Southeast Missouri State University; Dr. Dan Tallent, Cape Girardeau public schools superintendent; and Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Area Industrial Recruitment Association.

New board members are Don Beckham, Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance; Kathy Brown, Procter and Gamble Paper Products Co. plant manager; Bart Ozbun, Merrill Lynch investments; Ron Dirnberger, Thorngate Ltd; and James Biundo, Southeast Missouri State University.