Magnet website includes good statistics on Cape area

While checking the Cape Girardeau Area Magnet (attracting business and industry) website, I came across this data worth sharing:"The Cape Girardeau Area Magnet's mission is to foster a strong economic environment resulting in the retention, expansion, creation, and attraction of jobs and new investment in the area. The Magnet serves as the lead contact for the area's economic development efforts. The organization was established in 1992 as a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.

"The Cape Girardeau Area Magnet is funded by the County of Cape Girardeau, the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, and the cities of Cape Girardeau, Jackson, and Scott City, Missouri. Magnet is led by a seven-member Board of Directors which sets the direction and priorities for the organization.

"The Cape Girardeau Area Magnet is an organization committed to meeting your needs for business development and expansion. Each project is unique and the Magnet Team understands that and will go the extra mile in exceeding your expectations."

Here are a few facts listed for the Cape Girardeau area and Missouri as a whole:

* 287,984 live within a 40-mile radius of Cape Girardeau County

* Population of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri: 75,674

* Population of Scott County, Missouri: 39,191

* Labor Force (All Industries) within 40 mile radius -- 99,770

* Current Unemployment for Cape Girardeau County -- 5.5 percent (April 2014)

* Current Unemployment for Southeast Region -- 6.1 percent (April 2014)

* Median household income for Cape Girardeau County -- $42,003

Quick Facts -- State of Missouri

* Located within the United States Midwest

* Population: 6,021,988

* Current Unemployment for Missouri -- 6.6 percent (April 2014)

* Missouri regulatory environment was ranked 10th best in the nation by Forbes in 2012.

* 7th best corporate income tax index and a better overall tax climate than most of the surrounding states, including Kansas, Illinois, Iowa and Oklahoma by the Tax Foundation.

* Visit the Missouri Partnership website to learn more about the advantages and benefits in doing business in Missouri.

Why consider the Cape Girardeau Area? We have the reasons why…

1. Missouri is proven to be a low-cost state to do business.

2. The Cape Girardeau area is situated conveniently in the Midwest of the United States, with access to most major U.S. Markets within one to two days.

3. Multimodal transportation network from waterways, air, rail -- and we can't forget the abundance of highways.

4. Area workforce is available, capable, reliable and committed to business success.

5. Diversified regional economy with a growing foundation of manufacturing, healthcare, retail and service sectors.

6. High quality and affordable Higher Education Centers.

7. A conducive and supportive business climate.

8. Your leaders and employees can envision the life they want in the variety of communities within the Cape Girardeau area.

9. Your success is our success. A team of professionals in place ready to assist your business in achieving its goals.

10.Fill in the blank: ________ opportunities abound in the Cape area!

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The "First River Campus Arts Festival" last Saturday was a big success. There was a large turnout and many fun activities, which should put it on the calendar for next summer for a repeat.

And "Nunsense," probably the funniest play ever produced on the River Campus, continues with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and ends with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee.

This comedy, musical, variety show starring Judith Farris with outstanding solo performances by all of the "Nuns" provides a good break.

Gary Rust is chairman of the board of Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian, as well as a member of the editorial board.