Strong presentations shown by Leadership Cape groups

Two convention centers, monthly event in downtown Cape Girardeau, a website to recruit industry to Cape Girardeau and a "maker space" all were ideas presented last Friday as part of the Leadership Cape program.

Leadership Cape is a seven-month program that connects community leaders with the area and challenges participants to work together in groups to develop project ideas that benefit the area.

The ideas this year included:

The Pier Girardot

The Pier Girardot was one of two convention centers presented. This idea is based on the location, which is proposed to be set near the Mississippi River. During summer nights the walls would open up to be an open-air environment.

River City Center

The River City Center was proposed as the other event center. This would be located off Interstate 55 and include an expo hall, meeting space and adjoin with an independent hotel.

Marquette Synergy Center

The Marquette Synergy Center (a "maker space") was presented as the third leg of the innovative culture in Cape Girardeau. Similar to Codefi (business-focused) and Catapult (for the arts), the center is described as a community center with tools. The location is a place where people can share resources to work on projects.

SEMO Epicenter

The epicenter project is one website to provide information on Cape Girardeau and nearby communities to help attract business. The website is thesemoepicenter.com. A video on the site highlights local attractions.

Thursday Night Live

Thursday Night Live is an idea to host a monthly event in downtown Cape Girardeau. The idea is in practice in Jefferson City and, according to the presentation, brings in 8,000 to 10,000 attendees. The event includes music, art and other attractions.

Though the ideas may not all be implemented, the purpose of the projects is for individuals to work with one another and learn group dynamics.

Several past ideas from the program have been implemented. The Discovery Playhouse Children's Museum, Cape Girardeau dog park and online speaker's bureau, hosted on semissourian.com, were all ideas from Leadership Cape groups.

This year's presentations were strong and the ideas were interesting. Congratulations to the participants.

If you have not participated in Leadership Cape, we encourage you to consider joining the program in the future to learn more about Cape Girardeau and grow in leadership.