OFFICES: ECONOMIC GROUP HAS TWO OPTIONS

JACKSON - The recently formed Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association will have its choice of at least two office locations that will be offered at no cost.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Gene Rhodes, chairman of the association's board of directors, presented a proposal he had received from Capital Bank, while member John Mehner outlined an offer from the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

The board will receive written summaries of the offers by its next meeting on Jan. 11 and will also consider other offers of office space before making a decision.

At Monday's meeting, members of the board also approved an advertisement announcing the search for an executive director, and established a March 1 deadline for applicants.

Also as part of the meeting, all seven members signed articles of incorporation for the association, which will be formed as a not-for-profit corporation.

Jackson City Administrator Carl Talley, who is secretary/treasurer of the board, was authorized to seek proposals for a bank account and to inquire about insurance coverage for directors. Talley also chairs a committee that is in charge of placing ads for the executive director's position.

In discussing potential locations for the office, Rhodes said Capital Bank has offered the second floor of its building on West Main in Jackson. The building once housed Heritage Savings and Loan.

Rhodes said the bank was willing to donate office space, rent and utilities for three years.

As to the chamber's proposal, Mehner said the chamber has two vacant offices in its current building and would provide space in any future building it acquires. Finding a new office building is the top priority of the Cape chamber in 1993.

"The Cape chamber is willing to provide office space, support staff, equipment, rent, utilities, bookkeeping and auditing for as long as it is wanted, for free," said Mehner.

He said the chamber board formally approved the offer at its annual retreat three weeks ago.

Mehner contended the best thing the Cape chamber could offer the association is support staff so that telephones would not go unanswered or be answered by someone not familiar with industrial development. It's proposed that the association have a staff consisting of an executive director and a secretary.

"The chamber is much more concerned about support staff rather than the exact location," said Mehner. "The chamber board does not want to see it go someplace where there is no help for it."

Referring to concerns that some board members had expressed at previous meetings, Mehner assured members that the Cape chamber wants to help the association, not direct it.

"We want to assure you this person is not going to be directed or leaned on," said Mehner. "I think everyone will agree the chamber has a good record of helping locate businesses all over this area, not just in Cape Girardeau."

Cape Girardeau City Councilman Melvin Gateley said he had inquired about office space at the Cape airport, but reported it was unlikely there would be any space available.

He also expressed some concern that the present Chamber office lacked space and parking areas. He acknowledged, however, that the Cape chamber plans to move eventually to a larger facility.

But on the other hand, Gateley said he was concerned about having proper support staff for the office.

Gateley maintained the board's top priority is not office location, but quality personnel.

"The main thing is getting a cracker jack director; that's what we need to make this fly," he said.

Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep reported that the county did not have any space available for the office, especially rent-free.

Mehner also presented the board with a draft of a proposed 1993 budget, which will be considered for formal approval at next month's meeting.