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. In agriculture, crops such as soybeans, sorghum, vegetables and corn dominate.
Small businesses abound in the region.
Like all of southern Illinois, the Cairo, Alexander and Pulaski county area offers hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, and water sports of all kinds. Horseshoe Lake, a former bend of the Mississippi River, bypassed when Ole Man River changed course, offers a glimpse of the South with stately native cypress and tupelo trees. In this unique region are found every kind of outdoor activity available anywhere in the Midwest. Hunters, particularly waterfowl hunters, are likely already acquainted with Alexander County. Every year millions of birds travel the invisible Mississippi Flyway over Alexander County on their seasonal migrations.