Developer optimistic about downtown Cape Girardeau co-op

Weaver Dickerson, the developer of a new dental and vision cooperative, is on probation for writing bad checks but says he's confident his past won't keep the development from receiving state funds.

Dickerson met Monday morning with Mayor Harry Rediger, city manager Scott Meyer, Chamber of Commerce CEO John Mehner and Magnet executive director Mitch Robinson. The Missouri Department of Economic Development's David Meyer, vice president of economic development, and Terry Maglich, manager of business development, attended via conference call.

Dickerson had a meeting scheduled for today with the state attorney general's office, but Robinson said Dickerson canceled that meeting later Monday on advice from his lawyer.

The issue was discussed briefly at the Cape Girardeau City Council meeting Monday night.

"We were wanting to make sure the whole thing is legal," Meyer told the council. "We're not going to move forward on anything that is not legal. We didn't solve anything today. But it was all laid on the table at the meeting."

Rediger called the meeting productive and said he's still hopeful the project will move forward.

"I still think it has a chance," Rediger said. "Whether it will happen or not, I don't know."

In documents filed by Dickerson with the Missouri Department of Economic Development, he attested that no one who had an ownership interest in the company had committed a felony, was under indictment for a felony or was on probation or parole. However, Dickerson is listed in the same application as an owner.

John Fougere, spokesman for the Missouri Department of Economic Development, said the department's due diligence on the application is ongoing.

"The company has got to provide some additional clarification on the structure of the business and how they will meet the guidelines set forth by the state," Robinson said.

City officials support the department's ongoing review of the application, he added.

"As with any business receiving state economic incentives, no incentives for this project have been, or will be, released until this business can show that it is in full compliance with all state laws and regulations," Fougere said. "Each application for state incentives receives careful scrutiny."

Dickerson said he stands behind his application.

"Everything in that application was done 100 percent legal," Dickerson said. "It was combed over by us. It was combed over by lawyers. Everything we did has been by the law."

Dickerson said losing state incentives won't stop the project.

The Watch Me Smile dental and vision co-op will move on with or without state assistance.

"They are helpful," Dickerson said about the $750,000 community development block grant program's action fund loan and $1.2 million in Missouri Quality Jobs tax credits. "The project can go on without them. It would be tougher for the project to get moving as quickly as it could, but the project will go on."

After talking with Department of Economic Development officials Monday, Dickerson said he is confident they won't find any problems.

Dickerson doesn't believe his past problems will hurt his new business venture.

"You live and you learn. I was trying to run businesses, and mistakes were made," he said.

In 2007, Dickerson pleaded guilty to charges of writing five bad checks totaling $91,921. He said Monday he did not know there were insufficient funds to cover them at the time he wrote them.

The experience made him a better person, he said.

"It wisened me up. How much it changed me as a person is invaluable," he said. "It was one of those things that was good life experience and without it, I wouldn't be here."

He said he was motivated by his failure.

"I think failure is the first stepping point toward success, and without having done it I don't think you can really realize success," Dickerson said.

He and his staff continue to add employees as they move forward with the project. His company has already hired more than 20 people and promises a total of 135 new jobs.

Before the end of the year, Dickerson said, he will announce the medical professionals who will serve patients at the co-op's clinic.

They are finalizing architectural drawings in order to start early next year on the renovation of 90,000 square feet that make up the H&H building, the Marquette Center and the First Federal Building.

Staff writer Scott Moyers contributed to this report.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

325 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO