QUALITIES OF LIFE: ECONOMY LOOKS GOOD

Manufacturing and industry are giants in Cape Girardeau County, and leading economic indicators show the area could be in the midst of one of its greatest periods of economic growth.

The county ranks No. 11 among the state's 114 counties in manufacturing, with more than 130 facilities that provide employment to more than 7,000 people.

The county's labor force is more than 36,700 people. The unemployment rate is 2.3 percent, which means about 800 people are unemployed.

Jobs in many sectors -- manufacturing, service, retail and others -- have been added during the past two years, and growth continues with new retail establishments and industry expansions.

Results of economic activity have been significant during the past two years, with new school and improved educational facilities, commercial expansions, street and sewer improvements, increased retail sales, and continued work on the Bill Emerson Bridge to connect Illinois and Missouri.

The latest "Quality of Life" report from the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce shows the foundations are in place for continued industrial, business and economic good times. A previous report was issued two years ago.

A more in-depth look at the city's economy is published on Page 12B.

Among the "foundations" for the economics of the city and county are two giant manufacturing expansions -- a $350 million expansion by Procter & Gamble Co. to enable P&G to produce tissues and paper towels at its plant north of Cape Girardeau and a $95 million expansion at Biokyowa, to include a new facility to produce human supplements.

Major retail outlets that opened this year were a Wal-Mart Supercenter near Jackson and ShopKo, which filled the more than 80,000-square-foot store vacated by Venture in West Park Mall. On the horizon, a Circuit City retail store is planned for the Cape West Business Park.