Commerce officials make stop in Cape

The importance of regional economic development through the Delta Regional Authority, Southeast Missouri State University and the Career and Technology Center were spotlighted Thursday by top commerce officials.

DRA federal co-chairman Chris Masingill and U.S. assistant secretary of commerce for economic development Jay Williams toured the technology center and heard about the university's economic development efforts and entrepreneurial programs.

The DRA is a federal-state partnership that supports job creation by providing grants for projects in parts of eight states along the Mississippi River. Kenneth Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, said the university has worked with the DRA for many years, and Masingill noted his agency has funded projects at the center.

Meanwhile, Williams made his first trip to Cape Girardeau on Thursday. After viewing the career and technology center, he said people of all ages need relevant skills useful to employers now. He added the level of collaboration here with the university, school district and community colleges is a model for communities nationwide.

A former mayor of Youngstown, Ohio, Williams also noted the need for regional cooperation.

"Economies don't exist in neat regions, or state lines, or county lines," Williams said. "Economies span political subdivisions, as we have recognized, so to the extent that you have that level of collaboration ... that's what's needed. ... For the foreseeable future [we're] going to be an environment of scarce resources, whether it's federal investments, state investments or investments from the private sector."

"To the extent that you can collaborate, you figure out how to leverage those investments and make that money go as far as you absolutely can," Williams added. "I think what's also critical here is we're talking about innovative ecosystems and environments where it isn't just people are getting trained to go work for someone else. We're creating opportunities for people to create their own businesses."

Masingill praised the work of Dobbins and James Stapleton, executive director of the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast, and said the university is a treasure for the region.

" ... It's important that we continue to do collaborative projects together in the future," Masingill said. "And we're honored to have Secretary Williams in the Bootheel of Missouri. Our job at DRA is to help create jobs, building communities and [improving] lives and that partnership with EDA, and of course, Gov. [Jay] Nixon helps us accomplish that."

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

1080 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO