Gov. Parson touts infrastructure, economy at State of the Community Luncheon

Missouri Governor Mike Parson served as the keynote speaker for the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Community Luncheon on Thursday, Aug. 22.

The luncheon, a first-of-its-kind event, also featured presentations from Cape Girardeau Mayor Stacy Kinder and Southeast Missouri State University president Carlos Vargas. All three speakers told the audience of several hundred about various projects they have implemented for improving their communities.

Governor’s perspective

Parson has served as Missouri’s governor since 2018. He said his priorities when entering office were to focus on improving Missouri’s workforce and infrastructure. To this end, he said the state investing in roads, bridges, rail lines and other forms of transportation, as well as ways to attract new businesses and retain existing ones.

“In the next six or seven years, you are going to see continuous work being done in the state of Missouri. That money is already there, it’s accounted for, and that work will happen in the near future. We’ll be able to do that,” Parson said.

Parson said his administration had repaired and replaced some 140 bridges and 3,400 miles of road in Southeast Missouri alone.

Over the next five years, plans are in place to provide adequate internet access to every home in the state, Parson said. He also touted his having cut income tax rates five times.

“I’ve been smart about them. I’ve been figuring out how you do that and how you put money in peoples’ pockets. And do you know what happens when you let people spend their own money? They do exactly that. … That's what drives the economy,” Parson said.

Parson called Missouri the top state for job growth, second in the nation for job training and cost of doing business, third for apprenticeships and fourth for affordability and new business expansion.

“The things I’ve set in place as governor are things you can build on — small communities, mayors, commissioners, presidents of universities and everybody in the private sector,” Parson said. “What I’m doing is not rocket science. I’m just telling you to use a little common sense, be who you are and try to treat people right and get people to come.”

Mayor’s perspective

Kinder called Cape Girardeau a city of hospitality and said that was one of the city’s strengths.

“I’ve consistently heard from visitors that Cape is unique in its welcoming nature, in the natural warmth and helpful attitude of our residents,” Kinder said.

She focused her presentation on public health, public safety and infrastructure improvements.

Kinder said sales tax collection fuels 76% of the city’s general fund, and 69% of general fund expenditures go toward municipal employee salaries and benefits. The city’s debt load stands at more than $87.7 million, more than half of which comes from 2012 to 2013 revenue bonds used to pay for the city’s wastewater facility.

The city does not intend to take on more debt without good reason, the mayor added.

“For this reason, the city will continue to take a very conservative approach in budgeting in both receipts and expenses, especially as we approach the challenges in dealing with the city’s debt load and various enterprise funds,” Kinder said.

Enterprise funds include trash and recycling, sewer systems and sports complexes. These are generally supported by user charges.

Another enterprise fund is the Cape Girardeau water system. Kinder discussed how voters would head to the polls in November to decide whether to raise water rates and better fund the system.

She said existing water rates are too low to qualify for future state or federal funding and the city has no capacity to take on additional debt to cover structural costs for the water treatment system.

Kinder also focused on a concerning shift of young males using guns to commit more crimes in the city. In response, officials have added new police dogs to Cape Girardeau Police Department and created a gun violence task force.

“Citizens and business owners alike are concerned about their safety, property and ability to live, work and go to school without fear of inhibition. For these reasons, the city and the Cape Girardeau Police Department are engaging in some new activities,” she said.

The police department co-responder unit, which deals with mental health crises, will be funded entirely within the city’s annual budget after three years of federal grant funding.

In total, 61.5% of the city’s expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year will be used for public safety. Kinder called it the highest priority of the city’s operational budget.

“The intent of all this is to continue to be a welcoming city that provides hospitality and opportunity for all while serving and protecting its citizens,” she said.

President’s perspective

Vargas said the university has committed to enhancing the economy and quality of life in the Southeast Missouri region.

“SEMO is a smart investment for Missouri, not only for the students that earn their degrees here but also for taxpayers,” he told the audience.

He said the university provides an economic impact of nearly $1 billion for the state between alumni’s economic contributions, the daily expenditures of the university and the $14 million annually spent by students in the local economy.

Vargas discussed the various accredited programs SEMO has added recently, including aviation management, cybersecurity and drone programs. He announced the university is exploring the development of an airframe and powerplant program to continue the aviation theme.

He said SEMO aims to become an engine of economic development as well as academics, with workforce training and professional development partnerships in place with numerous local businesses.

“We are greatly appreciative of not only what the business community provides for our students, but also how you cooperate with us and charge us to identify solutions for the needs of our region. We value the partnerships we have with you and we want to develop even more,” Vargas said.

These relationships with businesses, as well as with municipalities and school districts, provide students with hands-on learning experience. The university identifies programs relevant to the region by monitoring marketplaces, learning from industries and listening to faculty experts.

“We are a high-quality institution that strives to be as innovative as possible,” Vargas said.

The event was held at the Drury Plaza Cape Girardeau Conference Center, 3351 Percy Drive.