Gubernatorial candidate Koster takes tour of downtown Cape

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Koster was pleasantly surprised by the content of his Cape Girardeau tour Thursday.

“I didn’t know what I was in for this morning. Jerry (Ford) said he wanted to show me some old buildings,” Koster said. “This is possibly bringing back a district that had been stagnant, and it shows the importance of Jefferson City offering a hand of assistance to make sure projects are successful.”

The tour included the Rust Center for Media, Codefi offices in the former federal building, Marquette Tower and the H-H building, which will be the site of a new Marriott Hotel. As he toured the Marquette Tower construction, Koster shook the hands of many of the workers.

Koster was inquisitive during the tour, asking about the emphasis on digital productions for a college publication in the newsroom of the Arrow, Southeast Missouri State University’s student-run publication; about the prevalence of venture-capitalist investments in Cape Girardeau; and startup success stories in the Codefi office. Codefi founder James Stapleton gave the example of Health Check, which started with 10 developers for its tech-based medical service and will add more than 50 jobs in the next year.

“What it shows is investment in startups is not just in Boston and San Francisco ... but in cities like Cape Girardeau,” Koster said. “For so many places, this will be the future.”

Jay Knudtson, left, and Jon K. Rust, publisher of the Southeast Missourian and co-president of Rust Communications, listen as Missouris Attorney General Chris Koster, right, speaks during a tour of Southeast Missouri State University's new Rust Center for Media on Thursday in Cape Girardeau. Koster is running for Missouri governor.Laura Simon

Koster said he wants to increase funding for the Missouri Technology Corp., which provides capital for high-tech businesses. The budget of the MTC is $8 million, but other states fund similar programs at a higher rate. Koster gave the example of Indiana, which provides $60 million to a similar program.

Missouri could have multiple referendums for increases to cigarette taxes on the November ballot. Two such referendums would use a tax increase to pay for infrastructure improvements and early child care, respectively. If the cigarette taxes fail, Koster suggested a future referendum that would use the tax increase to bolster funding for the Missouri Technology Corp.

“I think there’s hope to work with strong economic development-driven legislators to fund a revenue source,” Koster said.

Although Koster maintained his focus on economic development, conversation drifted at times toward his campaign. Former state representative Jerry Ford asked about Koster’s recent endorsements by the Missouri Farm Bureau and National Rifle Association.

“There’s a lot of cynicism in politics these days,” Koster said. “Seeing the farm bureau’s decision, it’s refreshing.”

James Stapleton, left, a founding member of Codefi, speaks with Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster during a tour of the Marquette Tower on Thursday in Cape Girardeau.Laura Simon

Koster was greeted by Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents president and former Cape Girardeau mayor Jay Knudtson before entering the Rust Center for Media.

“Typically this is a very Republican area,” Knudtson said. “He’s been good to Cape Girardeau, and he’s been good to SEMO. We recognize him as a credible and experienced candidate.”

Koster, currently Missouri attorney general, is running against Republican Eric Greitens. Greitens served as a Navy SEAL in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2007, Greitens founded the not-for-profit organization Mission Continues, which helps veterans transition to the private sector through volunteer work.

bkleine@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

338 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.