New call center could open in Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - A new call center could bring up to 500 jobs to Cape Girardeau.

That’s the message Cape Giradeau Area MAGNET Director Mitch Robinson brought to last week’s First Friday Coffee.

Robinson did not disclose the name of the call center company, but said its arrival in Cape Girardeau will be similar to the opening of the NARS in 2007.

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce will host a career fair on Thursday, October 20. Representatives from the new call center will accept applications, as well as several other local businesses. The career fair will be held at the Osage Center.

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Menards eyes January 2013 for opening date

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Menards is eyeing January 2013 as the opening date for its new store in Cape Girardeau.

The Wisconsin-based hardware store submitted all paperwork to Cape Girardeau city officials, and they have been returned for revisions.

Menards will be the largest retailer to open in Cape Girardeau since both Kohl’s and Sears Grand opened their doors in 2004, according to Cape Girardeau Area Magnet director Mitch Robinson.

"The great thing about this is it’s going to open up a new section of Seimer’s. You’re going to be on the south end. There’s plans for the surrounding property to be developed. That’s going to be exciting to see that opportunity," Robinson said.

Robinson says Menards hopes to build the foundation this fall, but the rest of the construction timeline is still up in the air.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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Business development leaders propose $400K loan

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Cape Girardeau’s business development leaders want the city to apply for a $400 thousand action loan under the Community Development Block Grant program.

The loan money would be used to help persuade a manufacturer looking to open a plant in Cape Girardeau.

The city would apply for the loan through the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Cape Girardeau’s Area Magnet director Mitch Robinson is eager to draw in the business. He is optimistic the city will seal the deal if the loan is approved.

"I think right now where in the front position, they wanna come here we want them to come here," Robinson says. "Now we just gotta work out all the details and get the right place for them and get them pined down and get the deal done as they say."

Robinson said the loan would have to be repaid at a four percent interest rate.

Robinson could not disclose the identity of the manufacturer, but said that 20 jobs would be created.

The loan application was brought up at Monday’s City Council Meeting.

Tim Filla, KRCU

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Work officially begins on Cape Girardeau casino

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Cape Girardeau has waited for 20 years for a casino … and the city is now one step closer to bringing a gaming establishment to its riverfront. 

Cape Girardeau city leaders and Isle of Capri Casino executives broke ground Thursday on the $125 million project on the city’s riverfront district.

Officials say that the new casino will generate 450 new jobs.

Isle of Capri’s president and CEO Virginia McDowell says that the casino will attract visitors from a six state region.

“This was probably the best and last underserved market in Missouri. So to us it became very obvious that this was the place to be,” McDowell said.

Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET director Mitch Robinson was clearly elated about the casino. He says that it’s one of the largest economic developments that the city has seen in generations.

“We’ve looked. It’s been well over 40 years since we’ve had anything of this size. $125 million project, 450 jobs. That’s pretty rare in today’s economic climate,” Robinson said.

The next step in the project is to relocate Main Street. The casino is scheduled to open in 2012.

The city’s voters approved a ballot initiative that allowed gaming last November. The community will vote next Tuesday on an initiative that would ban smoking in all indoor workplaces, including casinos.

Jacob McCleland, KRCU

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