City of Fisk

Fisk City Hall

     The City of Fisk is located on State Highway 60 in Butler County. One full-time police officer and 10 volunteer firemen protect the residents of this fourth-class city. City offices are housed at 508 Garfield Street, where the four-member city council meets. The Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission coordinates economic development for Fisk.

     Mayor Susan Williams reports that, according to the 2000 census, his city has a population of 363. Of those residents, 277 are over 18-years-old, and 86 are younger than 18.

     Per capita income for Butler County is $21,590. The unemployment rate of Butler County in February, 2001, was 5.3 percent, with an available workforce of 19,182. Only 1,019 people in Butler County are unemployed, with 18,163 having gainful employment. The average hourly wage for the county, as of March, 2000, was $11.34 per hour in the manufacturing sector, and $10.23 in non-manufacturing.

     The city is the proud home of L&M Manufacturing, a metal specialty items company. Other major employers in the county are Three Rivers Healthcare, with 1,500 employees; Briggs & Stratton Corporation, which employs 1,100 to manufacture internal combustion engines; Nordyne, a heating and cooling manufacturer; Gates Rubber Company, whose 518 employees manufacture radiator hoses; and Wal-Mart, with 500 associates.

     Ozark Border Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Poplar Bluff, MO, provides electric power for Fisk, and AmerenUE, from St. Louis, is the city's natural gas provider. Southwestern Bell Telephone, of Cape Girardeau, is the local telephone service provider. Internet service is available through seven local ISPs. The City of Fisk provides both sewer and water services for its residents. The city's ground well has a capacity of 50,000 gallons per day seeing peak consumption of 30,000 gallons per day. Fisk's sewage lagoon has an overall capacity of 91,000 gallons.

     Residents of Fisk travel either to Poplar Bluff or Dexter for medical services. The nearest hospitals are Three Rivers Healthcare in Poplar Bluff or Dexter Memorial Hospital in Dexter. Both are approximately 12 miles from Fisk.

     Fisk students stay in town for their education from elementary to high school. The nearest public community college, Three Rivers Community College, is located in Poplar Bluff and boasts an enrollment of 2,824 (fall, 2001). Poplar Bluff Area Technical Career Center is a popular choice for area youngsters. Southeast Missouri State University, a public four-year college located in Cape Girardeau, MO, is the nearest higher learning facility. Fall, 2001, enrollment for the university was 9,352 students.

     Residents of Fisk travel U.S. Highway 60 and State Highway 51. The nearest four-lane highway is only one-half mile away and it is only 45 miles to the nearest interstate: I-55. Amtrak service is available in nearby Poplar Bluff.

     Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport, located eight miles away, is the nearest public airport. It has a 5,007-foot paved and lighted runway. Private aircraft storage and aviation fuel are available. The nearest commercial airport is Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau, MO, 70 miles away.

     First Missouri State Bank is located in the city. In nearby communities, other financial institutions include: First Missouri State Bank, Commerce Bank, First Community Bank, Firstar Bank, and First Midwest Bank. Residents receive one daily newspaper and cable TV service is available within the city limits. The Fisk Nutrition Center, Civic Center, and the new City Park are also enjoyed by young and old.

     Lake Wappapello is the nearest public access lake and Black River the nearest public access river. Visitors can camp, fish, hike, motor boat, swim and water ski. Average temperatures for the area range from 21 degrees Fahrenheit in January to 91 degrees Fahrenheit in July. The average annual precipitation is 46 inches.

     The city is represented in the State House of Representatives by 154th District Gayle Kingery (R) and in the state senate by Senator Rob Mayer (R) of the 25th District.  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R) represents Fisk in the Eighth Congressional District.