Cairo is nestled in the narrow triangle of rich bottomland between the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers. An interstate highway and other US and
state roads, plus major bridges over the two huge rivers bring
travelers, commerce and tourists in and out of the area.
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In Cairo, public and private
schools provide educational opportunities; several junior/vocational
colleges and four-year universities are within an hour's drive of
Cairo. Historic Washington Avenue with stately Magnolia Manor and
Windham House reflects the grandeur of the past. A modern medical
clinic is located in Cairo and hospital facilities are nearby in
Cape Girardeau, MO, and Paducah, KY.
The economy of Cairo, Alexander and
Pulaski counties is based on jobs in manufacturing, tourism,
corrections and agriculture. A number of manufacturing facilities
are located in Cairo, and several large industries associated with
river transportation are located in Alexander and Pulaski counties.
A new
Illinois maximum security prison is bringing hundreds of jobs to the
region.
Significant
numbers of the region's residents also travel to jobs across the Ohio
River in Kentucky and across the Mississippi River in Missouri.
Non-manufacturing jobs
exceed manufacturing by a 5-to-1 ratio with tourism and corrections
claiming increasing numbers of employees.
In
agriculture, crops such as soybeans, sorghum, vegetables and corn
dominate. Small businesses abound in the region. |
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