RCGA SEES BENEFITS IN PARTNERSHIP

The Regional Commerce and Growth Association hopes to see a boost in membership and finances as a result of the decision of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce to join the RCGA.

Walt Wildman, who heads the RCGA, said the organization's revenue has consistently fallen short of its annual $100,000 operating budget.

The organization has run an annual deficit of $10,000 to $12,000 for the past three or four years, Wildman said Friday. "Only the government can do that forever," he said.

The organization has about 230 members, while the chamber has more than 1,100. "A stable point for us would be 350 to 400 members," said Wildman.

The RCGA is to begin its recruitment drive Sept. 22. Wildman said that was a factor in his request that the chamber join the RCGA.

Wildman said part of the RCGA's financial problems are the result of the time and energy spent on promoting the Interstate 66 project.

"Everybody knew it was going to be costly and leave us with a debt," said Wildman.

RCGA officials are refocusing their efforts on more regional issues in the areas of education, tourism and transportation.

But Duane Beussink, president of the RCGA board, said he and other members of the group aren't writing off efforts to secure a coast-to-coast highway.

Ollie Miller, chairman of the chamber board, said chamber officials were aware that the RCGA was suffering financial problems.

Several months ago, chamber officials suggested that the RCGA look for an alternative source of funding.

"We did not like the idea of competing for dues," said Miller.

But Wildman said no other alternative could be found to finance the group.

In a Sept. 2 letter to chamber President John Mehner, Wildman urged that the chamber join the RCGA.

"If your organization were to join now, we could work only agreed-to prospects, thus reducing the perception of competition," he wrote.

Wildman said the RCGA would concentrate on signing up the larger businesses.

Beussink said, "We want people who can afford to be in both organizations."

Wildman said the RCGA needed the participation of the chamber. "You can't ignore the largest chamber in your region."

Since its inception in 1987, the RCGA and chamber have had some strong disagreements. The chamber had refused to join the RCGA, decrying what it called the group's "hardball political approach."

The chamber's refusal prompted RCGA leaders to form a new chamber of commerce called the Cape Centre Chamber of Commerce in November 1988.

The new chamber lasted four months and resulted in further divisions between the Cape Girardeau chamber and the RCGA.

"It did a hell of a lot of damage," said Wildman, who served briefly on the Cape Centre board and successfully worked to disband the new chamber.

Wildman, who was hired as executive director of the RCGA in November 1989, said personal animosities between the chamber and the RCGA have taken time to heal.

"A lot of people have changed and personalities have changed," he noted. "I think we have proven we are not out to get anybody and we are not warring with anybody."