JACKSON `SELLS ITSELF,' SAYS CHAMBER HAD

JACKSON -- While other Southeast Missouri communities were disappointed with the results of the 1990 U.S. Census, Jackson was a notable exception. The community continued to display a strong growth in population during the past decade.

Kevin Sawyer, outgoing president of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, said the growth was no accident. When it comes to marketing Jackson to the rest of the world, Sawyer said, "It's no secret; the city literally sells itself.

He said: "Basically, it's pride in the community that does it: the overall appearance of the town, the reputation of our school district, our publicly-owned municipal utilities, and the overall quality of life that you find in a town the size of Jackson."

Sawyer said it is no accident that many people who relocated to Southeast Missouri decided to live in Jackson. "Our research has shown that a large number of people who moved to Jackson did so based on the recommendation of people they knew who live here," he said. "The city, and what it has to offer, is the biggest selling point for the Chamber of Commerce."

The Jackson Chamber of Commerce traces its roots back to the early 1900s, when the Commercial Club was an organization of merchants active in the city. Today the chamber has nearly 200 members. Its office is at 125 East Main, the old Jackson Post Office Building.

Sawyer said the chamber plays a very active role in the business, civic, and recreational affairs of the community because that leads to community betterment and community betterment means a better quality of life. And quality of life, he said, is what attracts people to Jackson.

Last year the chamber assisted the Jackson Jaycees with its July 4th celebration. The event was termed an overwhelming success after it had been absent for many years.

The chamber also assisted in the city's 175th anniversary celebration and has cooperated with the Jackson garden clubs in the distribution of dogwood trees from 1989-91.

The chamber is currently working with Southeast Missouri State University on the Mississippi River Valley Scenic Drive, which will be April 27-28.

The chamber also has 4-H community service youth awards and the annual Jackson Christmas parade float award. It also co-sponsors the annual agribusiness tour with the Southeast Missouri Cattleman's Association and the Cape Girardeau County Pork Producers.

Each year the chamber presents the R.A. Fulenwider Award to a citizen in the community.

The chamber also operates the Missouri driver's license fee office.

Together with the Jackson Industrial Development Corporation, the chamber works closely with the Missouri Department of Economic Development and businesses and industry that are considering locating in Southeast Missouri.

"It all boils down to letting industry and people see for themselves what Jackson has to offer," he said.