RHODES ELECTED TO CHAIR INDUSTRIAL RECRUITMENT GROUP

JACKSON - The recently formed Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association elected officers Monday and discussed remaining items that need resolution before the group moves into high gear.

On unanimous votes, the seven-member board elected Cape Girardeau Mayor Gene Rhodes as chairman; Joe Gambill, vice chairman; and Jackson City Administrator Carl Talley as secretary/treasurer.

Cape County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep, who had served as chairman of the group during its initial study phase, declined a nomination to continue as chairman. Huckstep said that he did not have the time to serve as chairman and that he would eventually leave the board and appoint someone else to represent the county's interests.

Rhodes joined with other association members in expressing high hopes for the group and its goal of bringing new industry to this part of the state.

Rhodes stressed that by working together and focusing on a broad area, the group will be successful in attracting industry and jobs. He said a new industry benefits the whole region, regardless of which town they locate in.

Most of the discussion Monday was on an effort to begin advertising for an executive director. The members discussed various publications that might be used to seek applicants.

Rhodes said he anticipated a large number of people would apply for this position.

Talley recommended that the Missouri Department of Economic Development be consulted about possible candidates for the post.

Talley, Cape Girardeau City Councilman Melvin Gateley and Scott City Mayor Larry Forhan agreed to help draft a job advertisement and identify potential publications in which to place the ad. The full board will review it at the next meeting.

"I think it will be February before we can get an executive director, and possibly even March," said Rhodes.

At the next meeting on Dec. 7 the board will also begin discussing proposals on where to locate the association's office. Possible locations include the county courthouse in Jackson, Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce building and the Jackson Chamber of Commerce office.

The office site issue came up several times during the initial meetings when the association was being formed, however, it was decided to let the seven-member board make the final decision.

Rhodes appointed a budget committee Monday to begin working on funding details. Under the initial by-laws, the association will be in place for three years with an annual budget of $140,000. The city of Cape Girardeau and Cape County will contribute $50,000 each per year; the city of Jackson, $20,000; the Cape Chamber, $15,000; and Scott City, $5,000.

The city of Cape Girardeau and the county have two representatives on the board of directors, while the other three entities have one member each.

Other items remaining to be done are completing paperwork to make the association a not-for-profit corporation and drafting formal agreements between the participating entities and the association.

The by-laws, which were approved in early October, were revised slightly to reflect some technical changes. One addition is that the association has a fiscal year beginning Jan. 1 and that the terms of board members will run on a calendar year. The five entities are required to pay their share of the costs on at least a quarterly basis, in advance.

After the first of the year, meetings will be held on the second and fourth Mondays at 1:30 p.m.