LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: THIS MEGATREND WILL WORK FOR CAPE

I read with great interest an article detailing the impact of cultural institutions on the economy of St. Louis in the August 1993 edition of St. Louis Commerce. The article was "Commerce Comments" and was written by Michael Hardgrove, the president and general manager of KETC (the St. Louis Public Broadcasting Service outlet) and a board member of the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association. I would like to share with you some of the information I gleaned from his column.

Mr. Hardgrove prefaced his comments by stating that the people of St. Louis are aware of how lucky they are to live in a city that has such an abundance of "top notch cultural institutions." It was for that purpose the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association Museums and Performing Arts Institutions Committee hired the consulting group Development Strategies to survey the institutions and to document the role they play in the St. Louis area.

The findings of the survey, according to Hardgrove, make a strong case for cultural institutions, citing that they "are major centers of economic activity, in terms of their payrolls and their purchases from local businesses." He went on to say that the "impact is magnified by the many visitors cultural institutions attract..." His definition of those "visitors" are people "who spend money on hotels, restaurants, taxis, souvenirs, etc." The strongest point Mr. Hardgrove made was when he brought "Cultural Economics" full circle, showing just how this impact is felt. "The multiplier effect of all this spending by the institutions and by visitors brings the total economic impact to nearly one billion dollars. This results in the creation of over 26,000 jobs in every sector of the local economy, the equivalent, in numbers of jobs, to a company the size of McDonnell Douglas." The most eye-opening fact that was brought to light by the survey was that every dollar given in tax support of these institutions generates $24 in total economic impact. When you factor in all the many jobs (most of which are created in other businesses,) tourist dollars, the purchasing power of the institutions with "support type" businesses, etc., they are all directly attributable to "Cultural Economics." While these numbers may sound high, thus reflecting the size of St. Louis, one must remember that a "Tourist Dollar" in Cape Girardeau "rolls over" seven or eight times before it leaves town (taken from information received from the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau.) So the answer to a question as to whether or not "Cultural Economics" can work in Cape Girardeau is a resounding yes!

Mr. Hardgrove's final analysis was that museums and performing arts institutions not only enrich our lives, but also boost our local economy and provide invaluable opportunities for us all.

These very same benefits will be experienced here in our area through the success of the Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation project at St. Vincent College, (with our plans for a national historic museum, Civil War Interpretive Center, as well as visual and performing arts, etc., gives Cape Girardeau a cultural center.) As can be witnessed from the results of the St. Louis survey, the total impact of the Foundation's project will have a tremendous two-fold effect on our community and the area as a whole. That being both an economic and cultural boom for our region. That is just what we need though, stimulus of both the pocket book and the mind.

In reading Mr. Hardgrove's article, I was reminded that at one time, back in 1820, Cape Girardeau County was just behind St. Louis County in population, 8,200 to 7,800. Today, of course, those numbers are vastly different. St. Louis grew into a large metropolitan city and Cape Girardeau has grown into the regional hub of our area. St. Louis has long recognized the importance of both culture and sports, and has worked diligently to support both. The Cape Girardeau area has demonstrated its great appreciation and well placed support of athletics, but we have fallen short in our support of cultural activities. I urge you to look at the possibilities that Cape Girardeau has culturally and just how many we are now taking advantage of, as opposed to those that we are not ... the "box score" is not very good in our favor, but it appears that will soon be changing.

With the success of the Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation at St. Vincent College, you will see other historic preservation taking place and other cultural outlets springing up as a residual of our efforts. With everyone working together for the common good of our city and region, placing aside old animosities, what a strong and vigorous future our area will enjoy. With that accomplished we will be living up to what has been said of our part of the country for a number of years, "where southern hospitality meets northern enterprise."

DAVID MURPHY

Cape Girardeau