Efforts all aim at more industries, jobs

Each weekday morning, cars zoom along East Jackson Boulevard as people leave Jackson to go to other towns to work. A host of Jackson leaders would like to see that change.

That's where the empty 60 acres on U.S. 61 about three miles from Interstate 55 comes in. The city bought the property in 1998, envisioning an industrial park ripe with new industry and the jobs that follow.

As early as this spring, there were no utilities on the property. In the past few months, however, a sewer main has been laid, electric poles and lines have been installed and workers are in the process of drilling a well that will provide water to the industrial park. All told, the city has invested more than $1.5 million in the industrial park.

Industrial development is a statewide concern. No one likes to be reminded, but more jobs left Missouri last year than in any other state. In 2002, 77,700 jobs left the state. Missouri has fared far worse in job loss than bordering states, with Oklahoma being the closest (19,700 jobs).

Jackson offers an example of working to find a solution. There are others.

The Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority recently unveiled a $500,000 project intended to attract industry to its Scott County port. Recognizing that the port more land above flood level, the project will elevate a 12-acre plot adjacent to its slackwater harbor. The project makes the location much more attractive to an industry that transports goods by river.

Speaking of Scott City: The industrial park there is huge. Recently, the Scott City Council renamed the park in honor of Gene Rhodes, and it was noted that the park consists of 1,000 acres, half of which has been developed by 52 businesses.

The port authority project is being partially funded from Delta Regional Authority grants, which gives money to increase economic viability through development. The Delta authority also has given money to help extend Route AB, commonly called Nash Road, to the industrial park near the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport west to Highway 25 to improve access.

And the Delta authority is helping to fund the paving of 5.1 miles of Highway 266 in Scott County. This will allow agriculture products to be moved to the port. The Delta authority is also giving Southeast Missouri State University money for a revolving loan fund for business startups.

In another positive move, Dennis Roedemeier, director of business development for Missouri's Department of Economic Development, has been named CEO of a new Southeast Missouri University Research Foundation and executive director of the new Southeast Missouri State University Innovative Center.

Good people, innovative ideas and no lack of enthusiasm -- with examples like what's being done in our area, Southeast Missouri is doing its part to find more industries and more jobs.