BUILDING A COMPETITIVE EDGE

Walt Wildman is Executive Director of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association.

The Regional Commerce and Growth Association (RCGA) is in full support of the formation of a group in Cape County to work on industrial development. We have been involved in the promotion of this group because we feel it will be an asset to the Region.

Anytime the cities of Jackson, Cape Girardeau and Scott City can work together, along with the three Chambers of those cities and the County government, the force and effectiveness of their efforts is enhanced.

Within the region covered by the RCGA there are five metropolitan areas that are centers of retail trade and industry. Those communities are Perryville, Fredricktown, Poplar Bluff, Sikeston and Cape Girardeau. With the development of this Cape County group all five trade centers will have an Industrial Development unit in place. This will only complement the ongoing work of each each city's Chamber of Commerce.

RCGA feels that due to our system of Intermodal Transportation, our quality of life, abundant natural resources and the availability of well-trained labor, Southeast Missouri can be very competitive in the United States and in the International market place.

With our river port systems on the eastern side of the region added to all the other forms of transportation that are available in the area, we can be attractive to new industry and also to the expansion of present industry.

Why all these groups?

To someone looking at all the work being done on Economic Development, the question, "Why all these groups," is an obvious one. Another question that arises is, "Will another group just mean a duplication of effort?"

The answer is, no, there is not a duplication, thanks to the close communication and coordination among the various groups so far. It is also true that there is enough work to be done that all groups will have enough to do well into the future.

There are definite roles for each type of group to play in this work in the area of Economic Development. The RCGA has a regional overview with very few, but well-defined project areas. They are Transportation, Tourism, Economic and Industrial Development, and Technical and Vocational Education. As stated in the By-Laws of the RCGA, it is also one of the organization's goals to coordinate the activities of groups with similar goals. When we are successful in our projects, that allows the other groups to do their task with greater ease.

For example, the development of a regional highway strategy and the subsequent completion of that plan, provides the basic building block for Economic Development. That building block becomes a sound infrastructure that will serve our needs well into the 21st Century.

Chambers of Commerce

Local Chambers of Commerce have the inherent responsibility to promote their communities. The role they play in Economic Development is a very general one that includes all aspects of the concept. The local Chamber supports existing industry and retail trade, while also having an interest in the development of new industry.

The interest shown by Chambers, Cities and Counties in Industrial Development results in the development of such units like what is being looked at now in Cape Girardeau County. It is such units that provide for individuals who have the specific task of seeking and bringing to the area new industry and the payrolls that go with such activity.

Even though there are fewer industries today re-locating than in the past, we feel that Southeast Missouri can obtain a good portion of those looking for a new location. There will be increased thought about possible re-location when the problems of the populated areas of our nation are compared to the relative ease of operation in the mid-west.

Opportunty knocks

With the formation of Industrial Development groups in the Region, we will have the opportunity to market our positive attributes to the Nation and the World. We will all be more effective if we work together in this very competitive market. We will all need to work together to continue to support facilities such as our river ports in order to stay competitive.

The formation of the Cape County Industrial Development group will add a great deal to this region's ability to market ourselves effectively. It is such activity and cooperation on a regional basis that will give us the competitive edge we need in today's market.

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