JOBS AND HOUSING

Most towns, whether small or large, want industry and population to increase.

Perryville has benefited in the past few years from growing industry. Unfortunately, population growth hasn't kept pace.

That means there is a higher demand for workers as their supply diminishes. As expanding industries create new jobs, Perryville's housing market has been unable to keep up. So even if enough workers wanted to move to Perryville, their prospects for finding adequate housing are poor.

As a result, many new workers in Perryville commute from other towns. Perryville officials want to find a way to encourage more of those persons to become residents with the hope they would then spend in Perryville the money they earn there.

The problems of worker demand that goes with low unemployment -- Perryville's unemployment typically hovers between 4 and 5 percent -- might be welcomed in many cities, but they are problems nonetheless.

In the past year, the city issued 388 building permits, but only 37 were for single-family homes. To counter the lack of housing, the city applied for and received a three-year, $450,000 loan from the Missouri Housing Development Commission for a 46-lot subdivision.

City officials hope the added homes will attract workers to Perryville from the 50-mile radius from which many already commute. By pursuing the development of low-income or rental housing, Perryville is taking an important step to ensure its economy remains vibrant.