CHAMBER RETREAT SET TO HEAR CITY PROJECTIONS

Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Area Industrial Recruitment Association, will provide an update of 1996 business and industry to Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors members this month.

Election of officers, preparations of a new budget and discussions concerning the chamber of commerce's involvement in city, university and other matters will be held during the board's one-day retreat Nov. 22 at Lone Star Industries Natatorium.

Jim Wente, administrator at Southeast Missouri Hospital, will be installed as new board chairman, succeeding Dennis Marchi, whose one-year term as chairman expires.

"We'll discuss short- and long-term goals, set priorities and discuss a number of topics," said John Mehner, chamber president.

Six new members who have been elected to the board for three-year terms will attend the session. The new officers will start their terms in January, but all have been invited to attend the board's annual retreat.

Anyone wanting to discuss a specific topic should contact Mehner.

A number of speakers will attend the session, including Robinson; Dale Nitzschke, Southeast Missouri University president; Dan Tallent, superintendent of Cape Girardeau Public Schools; Al Spradling III, Cape Girardeau mayor; and other city officials.

"Economic development and recruitment are important," said Robinson on Monday. "Successful economic development takes the cooperation of most everyone in a community, and we've had that cooperation."

Robinson, who became director of the recruitment association when it was founded in May 1993, said the area was on the move, adding: "A lot of construction is going on in this area and the future outlook for our community is good."

The recruitment association has received a number of inquiries concerning its new "spec" building, located and ready for lease in Nash Road Industrial Park.

As many as 500 to 700 jobs have been created in the area within the past few months, said Robinson.

The jobs include more than 200 at the new Alliance Blue Cross Blue Shield processing office, which will open Dec. 15. D&K Wholesale Drugs is expected to open its new distribution center next month, and a number of retail operations have already opened their doors.

K's Merchandise, located near the intersection of Broadview and Bloomfield, is the largest new retail operation in Cape Girardeau, and employs about 100 full-time employees. The new store will add another 75 to 100 part-time workers through the holiday season.

Four other new retail outlets -- Shoe Carnival, Staples Inc., an office supply and equipment store, Factory Card Outlet, and the Dollar Tree -- located in Cape West Business Park, opened recently and employ more than 100 workers.