December 2007

Gleaning profit from pollution

Pollution can pay—if you own a forest soaking up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or you use a renewable source of energy, such as solar or wind power.    A system is developing that rewards companies and organizations that engage in environmentally friendly practices by allowing them to receive “credits” that can be sold or […]

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Coal, gas, solar, wind? Task force confronts burning issues

When talking about his work on the city’s Power Supply Task Force, Tom Baumgardner sounds more like he’s preparing for a street fight than helping formulate public policy.    “For a problem this size, it’s not going to be cheap,” said Baumgardner, a stockbroker with Edward Jones & Co. “We’re used to inexpensive power, and

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Fine chocolate micro-manufacturer hopes to profit from passion, good taste

Alan McClure is passionate about chocolate. He’s so passionate that he has made it his life’s work.     But his is not just any kind of chocolate. McClure makes gourmet single-source cacao products in his factory in the northeast corner of Columbia.      Patric Chocolate, the company he founded in 2006, strives to please the

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PYSK: Michael F. Nichols

Michael F. Nichols AGE: 59 JOB DESCRIPTION: As the university’s senior executive for economic development and research-related initiatives, the vice president for research and economic development is responsible for promoting the commercialization of patented intelligence and products of faculty discovery, innovation and development. Working closely with the chief research officers and chancellors from each campus,

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Succession Planning: Recruit, Develop and Retain

The following is the fourth in a series of articles about the importance and benefits of succession planning within your business or organization. Throughout this series, we will explore the various steps of this critical planning process that will help protect the longevity of your business and provide professional growth for your future leaders. Choosing

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Guest Editorial: Making a case for a near-north Interstate 70 bypass

Plans for improving Interstate 70 seem to have settled on an expansion of the existing interstate from the current four lanes to six lanes and later to eight lanes. Although the engineers have done a remarkable job in analyzing alternatives, one still wonders whether all the factors have been considered and the right decisions have

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From the Round Table: Casting light on community’s illumination shortcomings

With the approach of the Christmas season, as strings of holiday decorations appear, Columbia, like most places, is turning into a veritable “city of light.” I look forward to these displays, both commercial and residential, as they temporarily overwhelm the place that I’m starting to believe looks more and more like the “city of glare.”

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Lean manufacturers thrive amid global competition

The debate surrounding the loss of manufacturing jobs in the United States continues. Many maintain that manufacturing has experienced a significant decline in recent years due to the relocation of many companies to offshore sites where infrastructure and labor are less expensive. Others maintain manufacturing job loss is a natural byproduct of enhanced technology that

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Historic Flat Branch evolves from eyesore to attraction

Early in its history, the Flat Branch area was Columbia’s primary commercial zone. Over time, it became a bustling industrial area with train traffic. But after the MKT rail line shut down, the historic creek bottom became dilapidated, and city leaders presented several plans to upgrade the area.                                                                                                                      Proposals for a convention center, mid-city

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