INDUSTRIAL RECRUITMENT GROUP IS OFF TO A GOOD START

The executive director of the Cape Girardeau Industrial Recruitment Association believes the organization, formed last year by area entities to promote a coordinated, regional approach to economic development, is off to a good start toward meeting its expectations.

"I've been extremely pleased with the progress we've made, having started pretty close from square one," said Mitch Robinson, who assumed his position May 23. "We have developed a pretty good list of potential companies and are working with the Missouri Department of Economic Development and developers around the state to come up with some good leads. Hopefully, we'll see some real progress in 1994."

Robinson said he has been particularly pleased with the cooperation of city, county, and chamber officials in the area in helping him gather information for prospects who are looking at the area.

He said: "I think we've been able to do a lot of networking. This has not been a one-person or one-organization show. The chambers have their roles, the RCGA has their role, the port has a role, and we have ours.

"The main thing I have tried to do is continue communication and improve it between all of these groups and get everybody involved in our activities."

During his seven months on the job, Robinson said he has talked with well over 50 prospects and is actively involved in one way or another with 35-40 at this time.

"I can't be any more pleased than I am to see the progress we have made and the leads that we have," said Robinson. "I never expected to be where we are now seven months ago."

The Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association was first discussed in the late spring and early summer of 1992. After some meetings, action was taken in November 1992 to get the association under way.

The association is funded by the cities of Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City, the Cape Girardeau County Commission, and the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. Because of their higher contributions, the city of Cape Girardeau and the county have two members on the board of directors, while the other three entities have one.

The office is in the Cape Chamber of Commerce building.

Organizers and board members of the association have generally been pleased with the progress so far.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Gene Rhodes, who served as chairman of the board in 1993, believes formation of the association is one of the best things that has been done for the area.

"We have more contacts for industry prospects than we have ever had before," said Rhodes. "It is good for the entire area and shows that with the right people in there Cape, Jackson, Scott City, and the county commission can work together and work positive. It has been a good operation. I'm real proud of everybody because they have all really tried to work together, and they have done a great job.

"This is what I hoped it will be. With as many leads as we have right now, something will happen in the near future."

Jackson City Administrator Carl Talley, another organizer of the association and the board's secretary-treasurer, also had words of praise.

Said Talley: "I think it has been an excellent startup and it shows a cooperative effort between entities here to pull together and put a positive foot forward. All expectations, in my opinion, have been met, and we will strive to present the best side of this area for future economic development."

Talley said a key to a successful group was putting a strong organizational structure in place and then hire the right people. He believes that Robinson and his administrative assistant, Karen Kincy, have been big reasons for the initial success.

Rhodes said he had hoped the association would be in position to announce some new industries by now, but is optimistic that announcements are getting closer every day. "I would like to have had some industries signed on the dotted line, but there is enough in the mill now where we'll get some of them," the mayor said.

Robinson said that when the association has successes there will likely be plenty of credit to share because of the team effort involved in recruiting industry.

"We all have our parts to play, and it is important to have all the players involved," said Robinson.

Much of his work so far has been behind the scenes since industrial clients generally require confidentiality. But this year Robinson anticipates being more visible with an active marketing role, developing a recruitment video for the area, and working with the Missouri Economic Development Department and Missouri Industrial Development Council to promote the state and the area at trade shows.

Next month Robinson will be part of a group going to Los Angeles to visit with companies interested in relocating or expanding. He also has visits to Detroit and Chicago planned.

A big reason for Robinson's optimism is that the Cape Girardeau area has much to offer industries: a central location, good transportation networks, a high quality of life, and good opportunities for training of workers.

Most of the job growth now is in lower-paying service-oriented jobs. That makes this area's features even more important as Robinson seeks out industries that can provide high wage jobs.

Now that the association is off to a good start, many of the original organizers are leaving the board. Talley, Cape Girardeau City Councilman Melvin Gateley, and Joe Gambill, a representative of the county, are the only original board members.

Rhodes, Cape County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep, Cape Chamber President John Mehner, and Scott City Mayor Larry Forhan are all leaving the board. Rhodes is being replaced by City Councilman Mel Kasten, Huckstep by Associate Commissioner Larry Bock, Mehner by former chamber president Bob Hendrix, and Forhan by Scott City Councilman John Rogers.