THEY'RE BACK: SEMO BOOSTS LOCAL ECONOMY

Jason Copeland sold a lot of pizzas Friday to hungry college students.

For Copeland and his Domino's Pizza business in Cape Girardeau, the influx of Southeast Missouri State University students for the start of fall classes Monday is a big boost to sales.

Students started arriving on campus Thursday. The annual student migration to campus will continue through the weekend.

Copeland is associate manager of Domino's Pizza on Sprigg Street, just across the street from the university's Towers residence halls.

He said sales were up at least 30 percent Friday. "We have seen quite a few student orders today."

When the university students arrive at Southeast each fall, the local economy heats up.

The economic boost isn't just in pizza sales.

Copeland, who also is an auto mechanic, said students bring cars to the campus. That means more work for auto mechanics, he said.

Business owners and city, university and Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce officials unanimously say the students pay economic dividends.

But it is tough to put any concrete numbers to it.

A 1995 study by Southeast economics students estimated that the school's 8,000 students spend about $21.5 million in Cape Girardeau County in a year.

Dr. Bruce Domazlicky, economics professor, directed the study.

"We took a sample of about 500 students," he said.

Domazlicky said students work more today while going to school than they did years ago.

"We have students working almost full time and trying to take a full schedule of classes," he said.

The study looked at the economic impact of the university's faculty and staff too.

Domazlicky said the school's economic impact should be greater today than it was in 1995 because of salary increases for university personnel alone.

The number of students has changed little in recent years. But students may spend a little more, partly because of the availability of credit cards, he said.

John Mehner, chamber president, said the return of students to Southeast benefits many retail businesses, including restaurants and bars.

The chamber office is a regular stop for many students before the start of classes: They stop by to pick up the chamber's guide, which lists apartments and houses for rent.

David Bean manages about 270 apartments in Cape Girardeau. He said students started moving in as early as July. Students typically account for about a fourth of his renters.

"We love seeing them come to town," said Bean. It helps keep the apartments filled, he said.

Southeast's Jim Biundo said students pump up the economy in everything from coin laundries to convenience stores.

Biundo talks to many business leaders in his role as assistant vice president of university relations.

Keith Reed is counting on students to help his bar business.

Sharky's at 15 N. Main opened around the first of the year. During the spring semester, students flocked to the nightclub.

"There were nights when in excess of 500 to 600 people passed through the place," said Reed, who manages the nightclub.

Business has been down this summer. "It has been very slow," he said.

"The university has a great impact on this sort of place, no question about it," Reed said. "It is a big deal for bars and restaurants."