Donation is big boost for town

Years from now, Sikeston area residents can look back on this week as an important turning point in the history of our community.

The donation of 40-plus acres of prime real estate property from the Matthews family to Three Rivers Community College will someday produce unimaginable benefits to our community and our region.

It's easy to argue that an institution of higher education is an essential ingredient to move a community forward. And discussion on how to bring just such a facility here has been ongoing for more years than you can count. So now, TRCC joins the Southeast Missouri State University - Sikeston campus to provide an impressive one-two punch of opportunity.

Thanks to the generosity of Scott and Karen Matthews and Matthew's sister and her husband, Drs. Elizabeth and Mike Brunt, this long-awaited dream of another campus in Sikeston has finally become a reality.

The potential now available through these facilities in our community is hard to over estimate. Students will now have the possibility of attending two institutions of higher education here in our own community at an affordable price.

Enrollment will grow as the new TRCC facility becomes a reality. And the potential benefit for retail and additional housing is exciting, to say the least.

The Matthews family is one of the founding members of our proud community and their generosity in this most recent advancement should be a source of pride for everyone in Sikeston. This donation of prime property will lay the foundation for a major leap forward for Sikeston.

TRCC obviously sees the potential for growth in Sikeston just as did Southeast Missouri State University. And now that vision can become a reality.

Mark my words. When the history of our community is finally written, this week will mark an impressive turning point providing the foundation for future growth.

We should all be proud.