COVID-19 Fraud graphic

Seven charged in connection with COVID-relief fraud scheme involving at least 80 fraudulent loan applications

Seven individuals across two states were charged in an indictment unsealed for their alleged participation in a scheme to obtain approximately $16 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Amir Aqeel, 52, and Pardeep Basra, 51, both of […]

Woman struggling over finances (money)

Budget group calls for stimulus payments for struggling Missourians

Some Missouri policy experts say federal COVID-19 relief money should be allocated to help struggling Missourians and spur local economies. The current supplemental appropriations bill under consideration at the Missouri Statehouse would use federal COVID relief funds to replenish the state’s unemployment trust fund. It would happen at the same time the state decreased the unemployment tax […]

Online Conference Graphic

University of Missouri online crop conference set for December 1st and 2nd

Farmers and crop specialists can hear updates from some of the nation’s leading agricultural researchers Dec. 1-2 at the 2020 University of Missouri Crop Management Conference. Due to Missouri COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s conference is offered live online, said MU Extension weed scientist Kevin Bradley. Technology discussions lead the conference. Bradley tells about MU research […]

Amazon website

Amazon expands to Republic, Missouri; more than 500 jobs to be created

Seattle-based Amazon has announced that it will open its first fulfillment center in one of the fastest-growing towns in southwest Missouri. Governor Mike Parson made the announcement Thursday afternoon while briefing Capitol reporters in Jefferson City. The governor says the facility will be located in Republic. “The new fulfillment center, which is expected to launch […]

North Central Missouri Development Alliance or NCMDA

NCMDA board member Jackie Soptic: “Technology and internet revolutionize economic development”

North Central Missouri Development Alliance Board Member Jackie Soptic says technology and the internet have revolutionized economic development. Site selectors and companies can visit a location from their home or office by reading statistics and demographic information.     The United States Census also provides data on demographics. Soptic says that data should be used […]

Economic Development

Audio: KTTN to begin airing weekly series on economic development for Trenton and Grundy County

KTTN today begins airing a series of weekly informational programs about economic development on KTTN-FM 92.3.  Each one will be pre-recorded by a representative of the North Central Missouri Development Alliance. This is scheduled to air at approximately 9:20 on Thursday mornings, with the initial program including information on the history and establishment of the […]

Governor Mike Parson

Missouri’s Parson ranked 13th among nation’s Governors

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s performance on economic policies has placed him among some of the top governors in the nation in a new report. In a first-of-its-kind report, the American Legislative Exchange Council, a right-wing group of lawmakers and business people, ranked Parson 13th overall among states’ governors. Report co-author Donna Arduin said Parson’s corporate […]

Missouri and State Flags

Trump administration invests more than $250,000 to support rural Missouri communities

The Trump Administration, along with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Missouri Jeff Case, today announced that the USDA is investing $254,621 in Rural Community Development Initiative grant funds to bolster rural housing, community programs, and economic development. “The USDA Rural Development RCDI program capitalizes on public/private partnerships to provide training and […]

USDA Issues $1.68 billion in payments to producers enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing $1.68 billion in payments to agricultural producers and landowners for the 21.9 million acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which provides annual rental payment for land devoted to conservation purposes. “CRP is one of the many ‘tools’ that USDA offers to producers and private landowners to […]

Linemen on electric tower

Trump Administration invests nearly $42 million to improve rural electric infrastructure in rural Missouri, Iowa, & Nebraska

The Trump Administration, along with the Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Directors for Missouri Jeff Case, for Iowa Grant Menke, and for Nebraska Karl Elmshaeuser, today announced the USDA is investing $41,967,000 to build and improve critical electric infrastructure.  The funding, made possible through the Electric Loan Program, will benefit more than 77,000 rural […]