MAJOR ECONOMIC ADVANCES ANNOUNCED

Four developments on the local business front thus far in September provide further evidence that Cape Girardeau County continues to enjoy a dynamic economy. The developments:

-- Lee-Rowan Co. announced it will expand its Jackson plant by incorporating production from its Memphis Systems Works plant, which will close. The manufacturer and distributor of home organization products said Jackson's central location, its work force and cooperation the company has enjoyed with city and state officials since it began there 34 years ago were key factors in the decision. The company will expand into a 104,000-square-foot building and add 100 jobs to its work force of 800.

-- Also at Jackson, the city has purchased 60 acres north of town for use as an industrial park. The property, which cost $900,000, lies along either side of U.S. 61. The city must run utilities to the site and plans to apply for a community development block grant to do so. It will put together a plan for industrial development of the tract, which might include a park.

-- E.C. Barton & Co. of Jonesboro, Ark., purchased 74 West Building Supply and Home Center, 4680 Highway 74 in Cape Girardeau, and opened a retail homebuilding supply business in an expansion move. With the Cape Girardeau business, Barton has 24 retail stores in Missouri and 18 discount stores in five southern states.

-- In what could give Cape Girardeau Regional Airport a major boost, Zenair of Canada of Toronto is considering a manufacturing plant at the airport. The company, which makes single-engine, two-seater and training aircraft, wants to expand to the United States, and Cape Girardeau is one of three cities it is considering. The company would build a 40,000-square-foot plant and initially hire 50 people with plans to eventually expand to 100. The city would issue up to $8.5 million in industrial revenue bonds to pay for construction of a building and the purchase of equipment, and the company would pay off the bonds.

Zenair wants to build a plant that includes 40,000-square-feet of manufacturing space and 4,000 square feet of office space. It initially would employ 50 people and expand its work force to 100.

One need not look far to see both commercial and residential development taking place all across Cape Girardeau and Jackson. Given current conditions, look for it to continue.