JACKSON'S GROWTH

Jackson's phenomenal population growth through the 1980s and 1990s can be attributed to two primary factors: annexations of land to the east and the availability of reasonably priced, decent housing.

Jackson already had the schools and churches to attract people, and the explosion in home building over the past decade has served as the impetus to bring more people to town.

No doubt some of Jackson's growth is a result of people moving into town from other parts of the county. Still others moving into the area choose Jackson over Cape Girardeau in which to live, although they may be working in Cape Girardeau. Jackson is a quiet, clean place to live, and Highway 61, now with four and five lanes, offers a short commute to points in Cape Girardeau.

One of the county's largest employers, the Procter & Gamble Co. plant north of Trail of Tears State Park, is responsible for a lot of Jackson's new residents. Highway 177, which runs from Fruitland to the plant, was upgraded during the 1980s, making the drive from Jackson much easier and safer.

Through perceptive planning, the city has been able to keep up with the growth. It has added streets, water and sewer services in newly developed residential areas, costs of which can take years to recover. But at the same time, the city's assessed valuation has grown from $32 million in 1985 to almost $58 million in 1994, and a transportation sales tax has generated money to build streets.

The county-seat city's population is rapidly approaching 11,000. In 1990, 9,256 people called Jackson home, and four years later, in 1994, 9,661 people lived there. Mayor Paul Sander believes the city is on a course to hit 14,000 in just four more years, and he may be right.

Jackson hopes to open up East Main Street to Interstate 55, which should stimulate more residential growth. Eventually, it will connect with Interstate 55, giving the city three I-55 exits.

The housing boom tells the story:

-- In 1994, the city issued 207 building permits, including 145 for single-family homes.

-- In 1995, 177 building permits were issued, including 116 for single-family homes.

-- Already this year, 30 permits for new houses had been issued through March.

The need for new homes offered developers, builders and lenders the financial incentive to provide them, and Jackson, with careful planning and an eye on financial resources to meet the growth, will continue to prosper because of it.