CAPE AREA HAS METROPOLITAN ATTRIBUTES

Nationwide, the U.S. Census Bureau recognizes 259 metropolitan areas. Missouri has six of those officially designated metropolitan areas: St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, St. Joseph, Joplin and Columbia.

Because they are officially regarded as metropolitan areas, these cities get top notice from businesses and industries looking for new locations or planning for an expansion. There are other benefits to being metropolitan -- or a metropolitan statistical area, as the Census Bureau calls it. For example, metropolitan areas can qualify for more federal grants and economic-development programs. And more large chain retailers consider metropolitan areas for expansion.

Among the Census Bureau's rules for granting the metropolitan designation are such things as minimum population. The Cape Girardeau area meets the requirement for 50,000 population, as well as another requirement for 100,000 population in two contiguous counties -- Cape Girardeau County and Scott County, in this case.

But there also is a requirement for population density per square mile of 1,000 people. In the Cape Girardeau area, there are some large areas with little or no population. As a result, the overall density per square mile is below 1,000.

But what are these large areas? They are kinds of things that any community would regard as positive assets. For example:

-- The county parks on either side of Kingshighway near the Interstate 55 interchange. Without a doubt, Cape Girardeau has one of the most impressive entrances anywhere, equal to any that can be found in a metropolitan area. The parks are heavily used and are a source of pride in the community. They surely help attract business, industry and individuals thinking about locating here.

-- Memorial Park Cemetery. This cemetery, located next to the county parks, is a place of beauty and calm. Its well-maintained grounds, its maturing trees and its stonework building all reflect the community's best aspects.

-- Interstate 55. This major highway link to Memphis and St. Louis is an important transportation and travel route. But, like all interstates, it occupies a lot of acres in its path through the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area.

-- Nash Road Industrial Park. This growing area, along with the nearby Cape Girardeau Regional Airport and the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority, is an important magnet for economic growth but, obviously, does not generate large, on-site population concentrations.

The effort to get Census Bureau recognition is continuing. It can be noted that the Cape Girardeau area has been enormously successful in attracting major growth without the metropolitan designation. And it is clear that Cape Girardeau County and northern Scott County already have a combined population of over 70,000.