LETTERS: INDUSTRIAL RECRUITMENT GROUP SEES NEGATIVE IMPACT

To the editor:

At the most recent meeting of the Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association, the board of directors, unanimously approved the submittal of a letter to the editor concerning Hancock II/Amendment 7. The board is very concerned about the adverse impact of Hancock II on state government and the ability to attract new jobs and industry to the Cape Girardeau area.

The amendment's impact is so far reaching in all areas of government that we feel this measure should be defeated.

Transportation has always been a major factor in site selection. Improvements to local, regional and statewide highways would be greatly reduced or totally eliminated if Hancock II is passed. To further economic growth in our communities, we must be able to maintain and expand our transportation network.

Missouri's tax rates are some of the lowest in the United States. Missouri residents should feel fortunate to live in this state. Our relatively low tax rate has always been one of our biggest selling points to expanding or relocating companies.

When companies consider a state as a possible location for a new facility, a broad range of factors are taken into consideration for review before a final site is selected. In today's competitive site selection environment, quality of life issues are extremely important in their selection criteria. Education is critical for a well-developed and trained labor force. Educational opportunities for employees and their families are also an important factor for consideration. Local elementary school systems as well as Southeast Missouri State University would be severely impacted by the passage of Hancock II.

In the area of economic development, many programs would be totally eliminated or greatly reduced due to lack of funding and personnel to manage them. Job training programs which currently offer financial assistance to residents for training for new jobs and programs that assist companies with training of their new employees would be eliminated entirely. The federal Community Development Block Grant program would be taken out of state management and given back to the federal government which would mean reduced state direction and more federal restrictions.

Hancock II/Amendment 7 would have a significant negative impact on future economic growth in the Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City and rural Cape Girardeau areas. We agree that we need fiscal conservative spending by state government, but what we do not need is this amendment. Vote no on Nov. 8 against Amendment 7.

D. MITCH ROBINSON

Executive Director

Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment Association