Leadership Missouri, a leadership enhancement program, is finishing up its Cape Girardeau visit today with a discussion from the state economic development director, a talk on tourism and a legislative update.

Leadership Missouri, a seven-month leadership enhancement program sponsored by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is an educational program designed to enhance leadership skills of current and emerging leaders through in-depth exploration of the state's economic, political and social issues.

The program runs from April through October. Participants meet in a different Missouri city each month and focus on specific challenges facing the community.

The topic of this month's visit was "Developing Missouri" and was held at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, the Polytechnic Building at Southeast Missouri State University and ended with a dinner on the Grampa Woo luxury yacht.

Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET, spoke Thursday on recruiting business. He touted Missouri's ample recreational opportunities, highway system, rail system and skilled workforce.

But Missouri still has its disadvantages when it comes to drawing new business to the state, he said.

"The problem we see is the overall lack of incentives, the amount of money the state is putting into some of these projects," he said. "There are still a lack of meaningful incentives. The incentives we do have to recruit new businesses are too complex."

Robinson blamed that on a lack of commitment from previous administrations, referring to former governor. Bob Holden. Robinson praised Gov. Matt Blunt, who has made such issues as business incentives, tort reform and worker's compensation priorities.

"The state is making some changes that will make Missouri more competitive," Robinson said.

smoyers@semissourian.com

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