Magnet works with new and existing companies to increase jobs

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Magnet has helped create more than 2,500 new jobs and been a part of $1 billion in new business investments.

A national statistic claims that about 75 percent to 80 percent of job growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector comes from existing manufacturers increasing their work forces. This is one reason why the Cape Girardeau Area Magnet works closely with area manufacturers in Cape Girardeau County and Scott City, such as Procter & Gamble, to help provide them with the opportunities needed to hire more employees.

On the other hand, said Mitch Robinson, Magnet's executive director, the business market catalyst also makes a top priority of providing assistance to manufacturers looking for affordable inroads into the area business markets.

One recent example of helping manufacturers locate to the Cape County or Scott City areas involves Schaefer's Electrical Enclosures, which since 1986 has been supplying customized panels and electrical enclosures in Advance, Mo. Robinson said he was trying to get Schaefer's to relocate to Scott City. The business wanted to expand and needed a bigger building to house an increasing project load. Robinson said they helped Schaefer's relocate to Scott City by helping them find this larger building and real estate and personal property tax incentives.

"They were considering some other states for location," said Robinson, who was eager to admit Magnet is ready to again help Schaefer's whenever they need it. "We had to offer the incentives that they come here."

More than 17 years, Magnet has been helping manufacturers like Schaefer's in Cape Girardeau County and Scott City. To date, Magnet has helped create more than 2,500 new jobs and been a part of $1 billion in new business investments. Magnet also helped NARS, a call center in Cape Girardeau, locate to the area in 2006. The call center employs more than 650 people, Robinson said.

Magnet also works on community transportation issues.

One thing some people may not know is that Magnet's services are free to businesses. Magnet is funded by the city governments of Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City and the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce.

For the coming year, Magnet's strategic plan includes at least three parts. One part is to gather responses from business and community leaders involved with the retirement community and understand if Magnet should play an active role in attracting businesses suited for retirees. Robinson said Cape Girardeau County is a perfect place for retirees because of the two hospitals in Cape Girardeau, the area's mild climate and many recreational facilities and its proximity to the big cities of Memphis and St. Louis.

The second part of the strategic plan includes revising Magnet's website. Robinson said that even though Magnet's website is very solid in terms of providing information such as business spaces and incentives and wage information, there are a very limited number of photographs. He said the website would be better if it included pictures showing the beauty of Cape County and video testimonials about the effectiveness of Magnet.

A third part to Magnet's strategic plan includes finding funding sources for 2011 through 2013.