Six Bootheel counties launch economic alliance

SIKESTON -- With funding in hand, the newly formed Southeast Missouri Economic Development Alliance is ready launch a six-county effort to draw in new business, retain existing ones and -- perhaps most important -- create new jobs.

"In all of these Bootheel counties, we all benefit from each other's success," said Missy Marshall, executive director of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce. "If a plant locates in New Madrid County, it brings advantages to all of us."

On Friday, members of the alliance announced they had reached their goal of raising $80,000 a year cash operating budget for a three-year plan. The six counties include: Scott, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Dunklin and Stoddard.

For years, each county largely worked independently as economic developers. With the new alliance, there will be a regional effort to entice businesses to come to the area. One of the first orders of business, Marshall, said would be to hire a regional marketing director to head the effort on a full-time basis.

Marshall said a search for that person should start soon, and it is hoped that someone will be on the job by spring. The money raised will be used to pay the regional marketing director's salary, as well as to pay for marketing.

The alliance will work with the regional planning commission, local chambers of commerce and economic development offices from each of the counties. The University of Missouri and Southeast Missouri State University has agreed to help create a master plan for creating jobs and obtaining new businesses for the six-county region.

Alliance chairman Steve McPheeters, who also works at Noranda, said he believes a regional economic development organization will not only help bring future employment to the region, but will help draw interest to the towns within the region.

"SMEDA is the avenue through which we can all work together and realize that what's good for one town in the region is good for all when it comes to attracting jobs and business," he said.

The alliance began meeting in late 2003, made up of business owners and economic development officials. The effort to raise the cash began in April and concluded in September. The regional marketing director will have an office at the University of Missouri Delta Center in Portageville. The Delta Center offered this as an in-kind donation, also including meeting and training facilities.

A full planning session is scheduled for Oct. 28 at the Delta Center.

smoyers@semissourian.com

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