Experts say Missouri ranks low among states when it comes to steps it has taken to improve accessibility in voting. Denise Lieberman, director and general counsel of the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, which has a disability-rights committee, said people with disabilities face barriers at all stages of the voting process, from registering to vote to […]
Tag: economy
USDA unveils resource guide to help rural entrepreneurs start and grow businesses
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today unveiled a resource guide to help people in rural America start and grow businesses, create good-paying jobs in their communities and strengthen America’s economy. “America’s rural entrepreneurs are critical to the success of our nation’s economy,” Torres Small said. “They create jobs […]
Cooperative Response Center to expand to Kirksville, investing more than $1 million and creating 87 new jobs
Cooperative Response Center, a nationwide contact and alarm monitoring center, announced it will open a new facility in Kirksville, investing more than $1 million and creating more than 87 new jobs. The new facility will be CRC’s first Missouri location and allow the company to meet the increasing demand for its services. “This company’s new […]
Missouri State Treasurer joins 23 other states calling on President Biden to recall Federal Reserve nominee
Joining 23 state financial officers, Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick called on President Joe Biden to recall his nomination of Sarah Bloom Raskin for Vice-Chair for Supervision of the Federal Reserve, a position with regulatory power over banks and the financial industry. In a letter to the President, the state financial officers expressed concerns about […]
Seven Missouri residents indicted for conspiracy to transport stolen catalytic converters across state lines
Seven Rogersville, Missouri, and Springfield, Mo., residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in a conspiracy to transport thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines as part of a multi-million-dollar business. “A scourge of catalytic converter thefts on a breathtaking scale had a significant impact on the Springfield community […]
USDA announces Conservation Reserve Program signups for 2022
Agricultural producers and landowners can sign up soon for the Conservation Reserve Program, a cornerstone conservation program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a key tool in the Biden-Harris Administration effort to address climate change and achieve other natural resource benefits. The General CRP signup will run from Jan. 31 to March 11, and the […]
Governor Mike Parson touts Missouri’s COVID-19 response in annual State of State address
(Missouri Independent) – Gov. Mike Parson praised his administration’s handling of the still-unfolding COVID-19 pandemic Wednesday, telling a joint session of the Missouri General Assembly that the state has emerged ready to make long-term investments in its future. “The bottom line is Missouri’s economy is strong,” Parson said in his annual State of the State […]
Show-Me Strong Recovery Task Force releases final report of recommendations
Governor Mike Parson announced that the Show-Me Strong Recovery Task Force has released its final report of recommendations to support small businesses across the state. In the report, the Task Force summarizes its findings and provides potential solutions related to workforce, supply chain, access to resources, broadband, and support for minority- and women-owned businesses. “As […]
Audio: The “Great Resignation” and what it could mean in Missouri
We’re hearing a lot about “The Great Resignation” – an unemployment trend seen as the cause of labor shortages and business shutdowns. Government reports show a record monthly high of 4.5 million Americans quitting their jobs this past November alone. University of Missouri economist and labor specialist Peter Muesser says the nickname for the trend […]
Supreme Court blocks Biden workplace vaccine rule, allows health care workers mandate
(Missouri Independent) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday dealt a blow to the Biden administration’s fight against the pandemic, blocking a federal mandate that workers be vaccinated or regularly tested for COVID-19 — though the court allowed a separate rule requiring vaccinations for some health care workers. The two rulings represented a split victory for Republican attorneys general […]
Governor Mike Parson to be keynote speaker at Great Northwest Day at the Capitol event
Missouri Governor Mike Parson will kick off the Great Northwest Day at the Capitol event as the keynote speaker during a luncheon at the 20th Annual Great Northwest Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City, Tuesday, February 1. As legislators begin a new session in Jefferson City, citizens of Northwest Missouri have been preparing to […]
Audio: New report says childcare breakdowns cost Missouri’s economy $1.35 billion annually
A new report says childcare breakdowns have cost Missouri’s economy an estimated 1.35-billion dollars annually. The report, released by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, says the lack of affordable and accessible childcare has driven many Missouri parents to quit their jobs in recent years. It says 61-percent of Missouri parents reported missing work […]
USDA to make up to $800 million available to provide economic relief to biofuel producers
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA will make up to $800 million available to support biofuel producers and infrastructure. The announcement includes $700 million to provide economic relief to biofuel producers and restore renewable fuel markets affected by the pandemic. The Department will make the funds available through the new Biofuel Producer […]
NCMC hosts legislative forum with four state representatives, one senator, two representatives for federal legislators and president of MCCA
Four state representatives, one state senator, two representatives for federal legislators, and the president of the Missouri Community College Association spoke at a forum in Trenton November 29th. The legislative forum was in Cross Hall on the campus of North Central Missouri College. The speakers were asked to answer one question: What is your perspective […]
GRM Networks distributes more than $5.4 million in capital credits to member-owners
The GRM Networks Board of Directors has authorized the return of approximately $3 million in patronage capital credits to its member-owners. This includes $2.5 million paid to members with service in 1998 and $500,000 paid to members with service in 2020. This year, GRM Networks has also returned more than $2.4 million to the estates […]
USDA invests $222 million in rural community infrastructure
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is investing $222 million to build and improve critical community facilities (PDF, 729 KB) in 44 states, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico. This community infrastructure funding will benefit nearly 2.5 million people in rural communities. It also […]
Warren County, Missouri selected as location for planned beef processing facility creating 1300 jobs and $1 billion in economic impact
Warren County has been selected by American Foods Group as the planned location for a new state-of-the-art beef processing facility, pending final approval. Once established, the facility would create more than 1,300 new jobs and generate $1 billion in economic impact in the state of Missouri. “Missouri is able to compete for projects of this […]
Governor Parson touts benefits of moving to, living in and doing business in Missouri
Governor Mike Parson celebrated Missouri’s strong economic position as the number of Missourians on unemployment decreases, businesses continue to invest and expand in Missouri, and the state earns several economic recognitions. “Throughout the pandemic, we took a balanced approach that protected the health and safety of Missourians without sacrificing their livelihoods,” Governor Parson said. “We didn’t […]
USDA awards funds to 13 organizations to create livable communities attracting people and jobs
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is awarding $3 million in cooperative agreements to 13 organizations. These organizations will provide technical assistance to people living in rural and Tribal communities so they can apply for and access government resources for projects that will attract jobs and […]
More navigators on hand for ‘healthcare.gov’ enrollment
The federal health insurance marketplace is now open, and this fall, there’s more help to guide Ohioans through the process of finding coverage. After cutbacks over the past few years, the federal government has quadrupled the number of navigators to help people find health insurance for 2022. Zach Reat is the director of health initiatives with […]