Economic Development

Department of Economic Development awards $15.8 million for community development projects statewide

The Department of Economic Development announced it will award more than $15.8 million to 38 recipients through its Community Development Block Grant Program to help communities with infrastructure improvement and other projects across Missouri. “Strengthening infrastructure and improving our workforce remains my administration’s top priorities,” said Governor Mike Parson. “Whether repairing roads, upgrading facilities, or […]

Nursing Shortage

University of Missouri study says 97 of 114 Missouri counties have nursing shortage areas

While the United States faces a nationwide nursing shortage, a recent study at the University of Missouri found rural Missouri counties experience nursing shortages at a greater rate than the state’s metropolitan counties. In addition, the study found rural Missouri counties have a higher percentage of older nurses nearing retirement, which could have a severe impact on […]

Silver Moon Plaza Chillicothe

Grow ChilliMo event set for Silver Moon Plaza

A job fair and street festival will be in Downtown Chillicothe to educate area residents about the opportunities in the Chillicothe area. Grow ChilliMo will be held at the Silver Moon Plaza on June 24 from 3 to 6 o’clock. Industry booths will be set up for attendees to learn about potential careers in Livingston County. […]

Frozen Food Express website

Frozen Food Express Transportation Services to create 60 jobs with new facility to be built in Butler, Missouri

Frozen Food Express Transportation Services, Inc., a leading nationwide temperature-controlled transportation and warehousing provider, is expanding its business with a new transportation and logistics facility in Butler, Missouri. The company is investing nearly $6 million and creating nearly 60 new jobs in the region. “Missouri’s central location and business-friendly environment is a leading destination for […]

Unemployment Graphic

Missouri Governor says federal unemployment programs have given public incentive to stay out of the workforce

Saying that there’s a labor shortage across Missouri, Governor Mike Parson (R) has issued a directive to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to end all federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits. Missouri’s House Democratic Leader is blasting the decision. Governor Parson made the announcement during a Tuesday afternoon briefing at the Statehouse in Jefferson […]

Young man holding phone standing by Tractor in field

Iowa program aims to usher in next generation of farmers

Iowa farmers have been busy with the spring planting season. As operations hire workers for the summer, a nonprofit connects them with aspiring ‘ag’ professionals who could represent the industry’s future labor force. For nearly a decade, the group Practical Farmers of Iowa has carried out its Labor-4-Learning initiative, where participating farms provide on-site training for […]

finances or man's hand sorting money

Eleven public high schools in Missouri recognized for helping students plan financially for higher education

Eleven public high schools in Missouri are being recognized for helping students plan financially for higher education. In an effort to promote completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid among high school seniors, the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development launched the Show-Me FAFSA Challenge in October 2020. The competition ended […]

Missouri Teacher Shortage News Graphic

Audio: Missouri designates $50 million in federal aid to help reduce its K-12 teacher shortage

Missouri is designating 50-million dollars in federal coronavirus aid to create K-12 teacher recruitment and retention grants. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will make 10,000-dollar grants available to all Missouri public school districts and charter schools to create or expand local teacher recruitment programs.     Currently, 20 percent of Missouri school […]

Unemployment Benefits Graphic

Governor Parson announces Missouri to end all pandemic-related unemployment benefits

To address workforce shortages across the state, Governor Mike Parson directed the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to notify the U.S. Department of Labor that Missouri will end participation in all federal pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs effective Saturday, June 12 at 11:59 p.m. “From conversations with business owners across the state, we know […]

Desks in School Room

Groups say slate of school bills would undermine public education

Advocates for public schools are urging the Missouri Legislature to bolster funding for public education rather than shift resources towards charter schools and school voucher programs. A bill pending in the House would provide tax credits for paying for private school tuition.  Another would change school funding formulas to give more resources to charter schools, specifically […]

Missouri Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson issues state workforce directive; all state employees to return to pre-COVID-19 work settings by May 17

Governor Mike Parson directed all state workers to return to their offices for in-person work no later than Monday, May 17, 2021, and that all state buildings be open and accessible to the public during normal business hours.  “Since the start of COVID-19, our state team members have gone above and beyond to keep state government running and […]

Virtual Job Fair

Audio: Virtual job fair on tap in Missouri today

The state of Missouri is holding a virtual job fair today (Tuesday) and May 18.     More than 230 Missouri businesses are set to participate in today’s job fair. A press release from the state Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development says nearly 600 Missourians are registered to be part of the fair. […]