LABOR SUPPLY CHAMBER'S TOP WORRY

As employment projections for industry and business continue to increase, the lack of an available workforce is high on a list of priorities for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce as it begins 1996.

"The labor issue is one of our concerns," said John Mehner during an address to chamber members at the monthly "First Friday Coffee" session, held at the Holiday Inn Friday.

Mehner, president and CEO of the local chamber, discussed a recent survey and a number of other topics before a full house.

Business retention, the new Mississippi River bridge and transportation issues, industrial recruitment, health issues, the local school system and growth of the city were among topics emerging from the survey, which was conducted among members recently.

"We're still in the process of establishing the order of priorities in the survey," said Mehner. "We hope to have everything tabulated soon."

A year ago, the same survey rated the overall performance of the chamber as 88 percent excellent or good and 12 percent fair, with top ratings in business services, newsletter and communications.

One thing that was not on the 1995 survey list was the search for a new facility. It may not appear on the 1996 list either, but by mid-summer the chamber should be in its new headquarters in the 1300 block of Mt. Auburn Road.

In his "What's Up" talk Friday, Mehner discussed some of the functions of the local chamber.

"We're doing a lot of things outlined by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives well," said Mehner. "Some areas need improving, and we'll be working on those this year."

The ACCE urges chambers to take leadership positions on government and community issues, something the local chamber is doing. Over the past couple of years, the chamber has expressed its positions on a number of issues, especially concerning education and transportation.

"We've listened to our membership," said Mehner. "We have committees and task force groups to provide input on these issues." The local chamber is also making strides to know its membership, added Mehner.

The local chamber was instrumental in helping to establish the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association.

"Representatives from Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Scott City came together to help found the recruitment association to recruit industry to the entire area," said Mehner.

The chamber also keeps tabs on federal, state and local legislation.

"We meet every week to look at legislation to determine whether it is good for business," said Mehner. "The chamber has become very involved in economic development. We keep focused on the future and future trends, determining what is good and what may not be so good."

The chamber is working on some things that can't be discussed at this time, noted Mehner. These include industrial prospects, some transportation and housing needs issues.

The chamber will host its next First Friday Coffee Feb. 2 at the Show Me Center on the Southeast Missouri State University campus.