CHAMBERS DISCUSS POSSIBLE COOPERATION

Talks aimed at improving cooperation between the Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City chambers of commerce could lead to establishment of an areawide chamber.

But those involved say the informal discussion is in its initial stages and the outcome remains uncertain.

Representatives from the three chambers and the Regional Commerce and Growth Association discussed the issue at a private meeting Thursday in Cape Girardeau.

Following the luncheon meeting, chamber and RCGA officials stressed the preliminary nature of the talks. They said the RCGA was only assisting with the discussions. There is no plan to combine the RCGA with the three chambers.

The meeting was attended by Cape Girardeau chamber leaders Ollie Miller and Harry Rediger, Scott City chamber representatives Leo Casey and Vince Fernandez, Jackson Chamber of Commerce President Steve Elefson, and RCGA representatives Walt Wildman and Don Weiland. Wildman is executive director of the RCGA and Weiland is a Fredericktown businessman.

Following the meeting, Elefson said the three chambers have some common interests.

"I think every city is interested obviously in economic development, new jobs and increasing the tax base," he said.

But he added that it is too early to tell what will result from the discussions.

Rediger, past chairman of the Cape Girardeau chamber, said Thursday's meeting marked the second such gathering within the past couple of months.

"It isn't a committee. We don't have a chairman," he said following the meeting. "It's a luncheon group."

He said participants were "just kind of brainstorming" about possible ways that the three chambers could join forces.

"Nobody has agreed to do anything," said Rediger.

Talk of an areawide chamber is not new. Cape Girardeau chamber officials raised the idea of setting up a regional chamber with Jackson 10 years ago, Rediger said.

At this point, discussion is centered on identifying the roadblocks and benefits of a cooperative venture.

Wildman said the goal is to improve communication and cooperation between the three chambers.

He said the talks came at the urging of the Blueprint for Progress group, headed by Cape Girardeau businessman Earl Norman. The group consists of 50 to 60 business leaders in the area.

Fernandez said the goal is to help all three cities. But in any areawide chamber, it would be important for both Scott City and Jackson to have some voting power even though they are considerably smaller in size than the Cape Girardeau chamber, he said.

The Cape Girardeau chamber has about 1,100 members. Jackson has 180 business and individual memberships and Scott City has about 50.

"Right now, we are kind of trying to decide what the goals really are and what they should be in the long run," Fernandez said.