PARRETT: GROWTH HAS NO DOWNSIDE FOR BUSINESS

While rapid growth of a community can sometimes have mildly unpleasant side effects for some aspects of community life, there "is no down side" to growth for the business community.

So believes Ken Parrett, executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

"Residential growth is a no-lose situation for the business community," he said. "Increasing numbers of customers bring about more money being spent in the local community. There is really no downside to residential growth for the business arena."

Parrett's only concern is that business start-ups have not yet caught up with residential growth. He hopes that will happen down the road.

"What we want to go along with residential growth is a proportionate amount of new business start-ups," Parrett said. "We need to add increased services for our new residents."

Jackson has averaged over 100 new single-family dwellings during recent years, including 117 in 1998 and 112 last year. The city has also expanded from 6,057 acres in 1995, to 6,717 in 1999. New businesses continue to open, but at a much slower rate, so far. Five start-ups were reported for the first quarter of 2000.

"Our problem is our close proximity to Cape Girardeau," Parrett said. "With our proximity, a lot of businesses choose to locate in Cape, or, if a business is in Cape that would be competition, they may choose not to locate here.

"They don't realize we're a growing community and that we're going to need those services. People here don't want to drive over to Cape to do their shopping and all if they can do it at home. Jackson has traditionally been a tight-knit community."

Parrett quoted estimates that suggest Jackson's city population could exceed 50,000 people in 20 years.

"We have to get businesses to come in and stay," he said. "As relocated workers come in, they're going to bring a spouse that is relocating also. Many of those spouses may decide to open up their own business.

More than just disposable income and buying needs come with new families, Parrett said.

"Everyone should profit -- and not just economically -- from residential growth," he said. "We profit from the personal experience other people bring. They may have been somewhere where a program was working very well, that would work here.

"That's why it's so important to get the school bond issue passed. That's one of the main reasons residential growth is exploding. We have one of the best school districts in the region. Families are wanting to relocate to the Jackson area."

Parrett and the Chamber are doing all hey can to encourage continued residential and business growth -- and to make new residents feel welcome.

"I want residents to know that when they move in, they bring valuable information with them," he said. "They need to share it with neighbors, the chamber and city officials. The community will only stay a tight-knit community if everyone gets involved in civic organizations and local activities.

"The only way to keep continuing to grow is to partnership. The city of Jackson is very accepting of new residents."

Parrett also noted that Jackson is getting a new wave of residents who grew up in Jackson and sought greener pastures elsewhere, before returning.

"There are a lot of folks who had moved away who are returning," he said. "I'd like to urge high school students to get their education and bring it back to Jackson. We need the best and brightest people to lead us into the new millennium."

Parrett continues to be highly optimistic about the future.

"Business and industry tend to follow residential growth," he said. "I hope that happens here soon."