LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: OTHER WAYS OF DEVELOPMENT

To the Editor:

When it was announced that Eaker Air Force Base near Blytheville, Ark., would close, the economic forecast for Mississippi County was bleak. The stark reality was that 6,500 residents would be lost and 4,000 jobs (military and civilian) would be eliminated. But five years later the Air Force Base is a distant memory.

Why? Industrial development is the answer. The Blytheville area landed two NUCOR steel mills, one that makes steel beams and one that produces sheet steel. The state of the art technology of these steel mills, along with innovative personnel practices, has brought an economic boom to northeast Arkansas. Since the first plant opened in 1988, almost 1,000 jobs have been created with $92 million in salaries being paid. Hourly wages of $8 and production bonuses carry the average yearly salary to $50,000 (Arkansas Business July 7, 1993, p. 15).

Moreover, for every job at NUCOR, a corresponding job has been created through related industries drawn by the steel mills. That's 2,000 new jobs. What were the factors that drew NUCOR to Blytheville? The area was near both a major river and an interstate highway; it afforded a rural location; electric costs were reasonable; and there was a hard-working, teachable work force.

Blytheville is experiencing economic growth through industrial development and is enjoying many, new, secure, well-paying jobs. And all of this without excursion boat gambling. Any time a city is faced with the need for economic expansion, there are many options which are available. Riverboat gambling is not the only way to bring economic growth and new jobs to Cape Girardeau. Blytheville is a case in point.

Andrew Pratt

Cape Girardeau