This past week brought another record and a big first for our area. And the two are tied together. The latest monthly hotel/motel tax numbers for the city of Cape set a record – again – for monthly receipts. In fact, it shattered the previous record by 10%. Strong partnerships between Visit Cape, Parks and Recreation, our local hoteliers, and our residents continue to result in strong numbers of visitors and revenue to our area. This doesn’t happen by accident and hard work is paying off. And

It’s that time of year and a perfect opportunity to recognize the importance of this local delivery system. It’s back to school month and of course I’m talking about education. We are so fortunate to have a dynamic and effective education system in place for pre-K through higher education. Since 1873, students and faculty alike have made their way to the campus of Southeast Missouri State University to begin a new semester and a life changing experience. This year will be no different. On behalf

Granted, it is hot outside. But there are some pretty cool things going on in the area. Summer is a time when many people are enjoying vacation and doing things to take a break from school and other activities. But some major construction projects are still underway in the Cape/Jackson metro. The diverging diamond interchange project at the junction of Interstate 55 and U.S. 61, originally scheduled for completion by early November, could be finished in September. Motorists who travel between

Today is the first day of a very important week-long experience for several local educators. Show Me Careers is a program developed by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cape Chamber is partnering with them on delivery in this area. The program is a workforce development effort as the shortage of available workers continues to be a real challenge for employers. Show Me Careers was created to expose career opportunities available for high school graduates to high school

The Missouri legislature did something this year they haven’t done since 1996. That is correct. It has been a quarter of a century since the state of Missouri passed and implemented a fuel tax increase. Senate Bill 262 changed history as it passed both the House and the Senate and Governor Parson is touring the state this week to officially sign the bill into law. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls this a historic win for our transportation system and economic growth. Fuel tax

This local economic development organization has reorganized and is focused on maximizing future opportunities. The Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET recently announced it has not only expanded its investors and board of directors, but there is much more on the horizon. As a reminder, MAGNET is a regional organization charged with several aspects of economic development. To accelerate economic momentum and devise a plan for a unified vision in the future, MAGNET will create strategic plan with the help

In case you missed it, there was a little sign of hope last week out of Washington D.C. for future progress. For many years, both citizens and elected representatives have agreed it is increasingly necessary to address this country’s infrastructure. But for those same many years, there has been no significant progress on what that really means and how to get it done. Last Thursday, President Biden and a group of Senators agreed to a roughly one trillion-dollar framework to address transportation

It is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King, Jr. day was established in 1983. Last Thursday, President Biden signed legislation into law making Juneteenth, or June 19th, the 12th federal holiday. Juneteenth recognizes when Union soldiers delivered the news of freedom to slaves in Galveston, Texas – some two months after the Confederacy had surrendered and more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This new holiday brings opportunity for the area and business

In the state of Missouri, it ended at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, June 12. Of course, I am referring to the Governor’s decision to end participation in all federal pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs. In his official press release announcing the decision, the Governor said in his discussions with business owners from across the state, they are struggling with labor shortages not because of the pandemic, but because of excessive federal unemployment programs. When the original supplement

It is important to celebrate meaningful accomplishments. The city of Cape just released the updated hotel/motel/restaurant receipts report, and it tells an amazing story. The last two months of hotel/motel receipts are the second and third highest in history. And the last two months of restaurant receipts are the highest and second highest totals in history. I’ll pause and let that sink in for a moment. Wow! What an amazing accomplishment in an industry sector highly affected by the pandemic.