CHAMBER TO DISCUSS FUTURE

"This is a good time to live in Cape Girardeau. We don't have much to complain about at the present time."

This was the statement of Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III six months ago, during a Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee.

Spradling will appear at another Chamber event Friday, when he presents a city update at the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors annual retreat, to be held at the Lone Star Industries Natatorium.

Some changes in format have been made for the one-day retreat, said John Mehner, president of the chamber.

"We won't be installing the new officers at the retreat," said Mehner. "And, we won't be making any decisions."

Mehner said the board would spend the afternoon brainstorming instead.

"We'll introduce our brainstorming ideas and new officers the December board meeting," said Mehner. "We'll spend the morning listening to updates from the city, school, university, legislative and economic development representatives.

Among Friday speakers will be Mayor Spradling; Mitch Robinson, executive director of the Area Industrial Recruitment Association; Bill Biggerstaff, assistant superintendent of Cape Girardeau Public Schools; Dale Nitzschke, Southeast Missouri University president; and Peter Kinder, Missouri state senator.

Anyone wanting to discuss a specific topic should contact Mehner at 335-3312.

James Wente, administrator at Southeast Missouri Hospital, and chairman of the Chamber Board, will conduct the meeting.

Doug Groesbeck, district manager, Union Electric at Cape Girardeau, is chairman-elect and will assume the chair's post in January.

Spradling and Robinson are expected to comment on the Procter & Gamble expansion, openings of some notable retail outlets during the past year, and progress of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge, which will cross the Mississippi River.

P&G announced in April that it will build a $350 million addition to its Cape Girardeau County plant to enable an increase in production of tissues and towels. The expansion, one of the top three industrial projects in Missouri over the past decade, will result in 350 more jobs and will put about 20 acres under roof, which translates into more than 850,000 square feet.

Spradling also will touch on some other improvements in the city, including the opening of the new Osage Building and Shawnee Park facilities, and the passage of the school bond issue.

Robinson will speak on economic development and recruitment, including an update on the new Southeast Missouri Port Authority road, and the prospect building, located in Nash Road Industrial Park, and ready for lease.

Biggerstaff will address the group on public schools, Nitzschke will discuss university happenings and Kinder will discuss the latest legislative developments.