QUALITIES OF LIFE: THE ECONOMIC BEAT GOES ON

The Cape Girardeau economic beat goes on!

Employment growth continues at a strong pace, expansions are under way in the manufacturing sector, retail establishments, both large and small, continue to attract shoppers, and other economic indicators depict a city in an economic boom.

The second Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce report, "Quality of Life: Indicators for Progress," addresses the city's quality-of-life issues two years after the original report was issued.

The eight areas studied are education, economy, public safety, natural environment, health, social environment, government-politics and culture-recreation.

Today, in one of a series of articles on the quality-of-life report, the Southeast Missourian looks at the economy.

"We're on the right track," said Mayor Al Spradling III recently. "A lot of good things are happening."

-- Sewer, water and street improvements are ongoing.

-- The recreation trail has experienced heavy use.

-- ShopKo moved into the old Venture store at the mall, and Circuit City will move to the area.

-- A grocery market will move into the former Del Farm building at William and Sprigg and will be a big boost to that area of town.

-- Also planned are a new courthouse in the Happy Hollow area and a new project concerning the old St. Francis Hospital building.

-- Two more positive indicators are work on the Bill Emerson Bridge and the increase in passengers using the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

The recreation trail is nearly 4 miles long, Spradling said. The trail will eventually stretch seven miles, from Shawnee Park in the southern part of the city to a detention basin to the north. In-line skaters, bicyclists and hikers use the trail.

Another "quality of life" improvement has been the flood area buyouts, said Spradling. Most homes have been removed from the flood plain.

John Mehner, chamber president, and Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Area Recruitment Association, agree the city's economic grow is on `Go.'

"We are fortunate in our location," said Mehner. "We have a diverse economy, including everything from high-tech to heavy manufacturing, agricultural and retail."

Much of the growth can be attributed to luck of geography, said Mehner. Cape Girardeau is near the crossroads of the nation and is unique in having a transportation network that includes river, air, rail and highway.

In addition to Interstate 55, the airport ranks among the best of non-metropolitan facilities. The area enjoys one of the largest inland waterways -- the Mississippi River -- and includes one of a number of port facilities between Memphis, Tenn., and St. Louis, including the Southeast Missouri Regional Port.

Economic numbers reveal foundations are in place for the city's continued growth.

Manufacturing continues to grow, agricultural production provides a cornerstone for many local economies, and the retail sector makes the city a hub for area shoppers.

Results of economic activity have been significant over the past year.

-- Construction progresses on the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, connecting Missouri and Illinois.

-- The county's unemployment hovered at between 2 and 3 percent over the past year.

-- More people are employed. Latest statistics show more than 36,000 people with jobs.

-- Manufacturing and retail companies have expressed interest in locating in the area.

Biokyowa has announced two major expansion projects -- a $45 million expansion of its poultry and swine supplements, and a $50 million new plant to produce a human food supplement.

Construction on the $350 million expansion at Procter & Gamble, one of the largest industrial investments in the history of the area, is on schedule.

-- Construction continues on a solid pace, including commercial, educational facilities and housing.

The quality-of-life reports reveal growth in a number of areas during the past five years.

More than 5,000 new jobs have been added to the employment sector since 1990, from 30,700 jobs to more than 36,000 in the county.

Distribution of jobs in the county reflects the diverse economy. Educational and medical institutions provide more than 6,000 jobs; retail supplies more than 8,000 jobs; manufacturing employs more than 7,500 people; wholesale distribution employs more than 2,100 people; transportation provides 1,950 jobs; construction employs 1,500 people; and the financial and real estate businesses employ more than 1,200 people.

The area's retail sales per capita have increased from $10,142 in 1990, to about $14,400 in 1997. Statistics show the average household's buying income has increased from $28,400 in 1996 to more than $29,500 in 1997. That figure reflects median income minus taxes.

During the past two years, the city issued more than 160 building permits for new homes at values ranging in price from $50,000 to more than $350,000. A number of apartment or duplex units have been constructed.

Home construction has proceeded on a number of subdivisions in both Jackson and Cape Girardeau this year, with prices ranging from $75,000 to more than $300,000.

During the 1990s, residential and business construction has totaled more than $269.4 million in Cape Girardeau.