The Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET executive director position remains unfilled, leaving the future of the regional economic development organization in limbo.
In January, the board chose not to renew contract of long-time executive director Mitch Robinson, stating that they hoped to “change” and go in a new direction.
John Mehner, President and CEO of the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, says MAGNET is considering several options for the vacant executive director position.
“What they’re doing now is the board is going through a process of best determining how to run the organization in the future,” Mehner said. “They are considering, again, going through a process in hiring the executive director. They’re also considering options of contracting with existing organizations to do the work.”
Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger says the board is hoping to make a decision at this month’s meeting.
Mayor Rediger says MAGNET interviewed candidates for the executive director position in July, but didn’t feel any were a “good match” for the community.
Now, Rediger says the board is taking a “hard look” at not filling the executive director position. Instead, they may contract its services to the Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Personally, I think it would be a very positive step,” Rediger said. “We would gain the services of other individuals in the Chamber. There would be additional staff hired through that. I think it would have a very positive effect. It will be definitely a new direction.”
Rediger says the Chamber is the only organization under consideration for contracting.
Rediger says if the board votes to contract the work, MAGNET will continue to stand as its own organization.