CAPE GIRARDEAU AND THE ENTIRE REGION WELCOME EXPANSION OF ARMY RESERVE OPERATIONS

Expansion of the Army Reserve from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau will provide a boost to an already robust local economy.

Two new engineer units of the 348th Group will be established in Southeast Missouri. About 124 reservists will be assigned to Cape Girardeau and 33 at Poplar Bluff. In addition, the Reserve will bring the 21st General Hospital Detachment, which was in Cape Girardeau from 1985 to 1993, is being brought back to Cape Girardeau. It was deactivated as part of downsizing and reorganization.

Payroll for the two groups could amount to $760,000, with $534,000 going to reservists in Cape Girardeau. The Army figures the overall impact on the economy at $10,000 per member, and that adds up to almost $1.7 million at Cape Girardeau.

Cape Girardeau and the region should welcome the new military presence with open arms.