On April 8, Columbia Public Schools requested a tax levy increase of 54 cents to maintain increases in teacher and staff salaries, operating expenses, employee benefits and retirement costs. The levy did not pass. As such, Columbia Public Schools is headed back to the drawing board to consider the next steps. A critical first step […]
Historically, Columbia has been blessed with civic-minded citizens who love to volunteer. Our city has a long history of people wanting to pitch in; they see a need, and they want to help. National Volunteer Week ended May 3, but we see this community spirit every day in the time invested by our volunteer mayor
*Trade Wind*Commercial Park devleopment stowed by road delays
Think of it as innovation illumination–and perhaps the handsomest science publication ever. Using a satin rather than glossy cover, the University of Missouri’s research magazine, Illumination, combines high production values with clever design elements to send a subtle, yet powerful, message before the cover is even opened: We report substantive research–not glossy, pie-in-the-sky fluff. Like
MU’s Illumination spotlights local research, innovation Read More »
The University of Missouri’s Life Science Business Incubator The University of Missouri’s Life Science Business Incubator, which is on target to open in September, is close to reaching agreements with several potential tenants and getting the state funding needed to finish interior construction, according to Jake Halliday, president and CEO of the Missouri Innovation
Community President, UMB Bank AGE: 52 JOB DESCRIPTION: Responsible for establishing the direction and overseeing the overall performance of UMB-Columbia. I also act as the senior commercial lender for our local market. YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: Five years currently, plus nine years as in the late 1970s, when I was a student at the University
When 3M decided to make its electronic flexible circuits in Singapore and California rather than Columbia, the company cut the local workforce in half, to 240, and left the manufacturing plant half-empty. Now, with the last batch of 38 employees scheduled for layoff in June, company officials and Columbia’s Regional Economic Development Inc. are working
Manufacturing employment in Boone County is down about 14 percent since 2004, housing sales are back to mid-199s levels, foreclosures have spiked and unemployment is at the highest level in decades. That’s the bad news.
The population in 2007 grew more than twice the average rate and the overall number of jobs increased by 1,200. Health care employment rose 14 percent. There were increases in the number of licensed businesses, retail sales and enrollment at the University of Missouri. That’s the good news.
What are business people to make of the latest statistics? Basically, the local economy is in transition, and there are positive signs on the horizon.
Jeff MacLellan, chairman of The Landrum Co., First National Bank’s holding company, has been charting the local economy for two decades and presented his latest annual assessment during The Columbia Business Times inaugural Power Lunch.
*Destination Memphis*Columbia backs Memphis hub to replace Kansas City
Destination: Memphis, the blues and BBQ Connection Read More »
At the Columbia Chamber of Commerce annual retreat on April 21, local business leaders, university administrators and elected officials were asked to rank local economic development priorities. At the top of the list, in a tie vote: industrial land development and improvements in the airport’s service and infrastructure. Third on the list, the personal preferences
Business leaders: airport, ‘shovel-ready’ sites top economic priorities Read More »
