$2,000 donation to OATS

“OATS provides a critical service to our community,” says Boone County National Bank President Steve Erdel. “We are very pleased to help our residents so they may continue to lead active lives.”

 22 outstanding Missouri businesses

The annual Entrepreneurship and Innovation Awards banquet recognized 22 small Missouri businesses. Among them were mid-Missouri companies Kemper Redevelopment Project and Logboat Brewing.

 Columbia College on top

Columbia College’s online bachelor’s degree programs and the MBA program were recognized in the second edition of Top Online Education Programs by U.S. News & World Report. Recognition was based on teaching practices and student engagement, faculty credentials and training and student services and technology.

            “We are pleased to be recognized by this prestigious organization,” says Dr. Gerald Brouder, president of Columbia College. “We realized the importance of providing online education more than 11 years ago, and since then we’ve redoubled our efforts to enhance our online presence. This recognition is indicative of our commitment to become a model institution.”

 New research funding opportunity

The University of Missouri System Office of Research and Economic Development along with the four UM System campuses announced their newest funding program, Interdisciplinary Interncampus Research Program, designed to increase research activity that could lead to the advancement of technologies and commercialization.

            “A priority for the university is to increase interdisciplinary and intercampus research collaboration among all four of the campuses and create stronger research teams to move technologies forward and to attract more grant funding,” says Mike Nichols, vice president for research and economic development. “This program was created to meet that need by leveraging the intellectual capital and resources among the four campuses while incentivizing faculty members to collaborate with other university faculty as they work to move a technology to the marketplace.”

            The fund is $1 million for the first round with $125,000 contributions from each of the four campuses and a $500,000 match from the system. Each faculty member may request up to $25,000; therefore, the maximum funding requested will depend on the number of faculty collaborating on the research project.

 Dump trucker Columbia convention

The Missouri Dump Truckers Association hosted its 43rd Annual Convention and Trade Show in late January at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center. MDTA is a statewide association dedicated to promoting the common interests and improving business conditions of the dump truck industry through the legislative process. Founded in 1970, the association has members from Missouri and contiguous states that consist of a broad cross section of dump truckers in the transportation and construction industry as well as associate members providing equipment, supplies and services to the dump truck industry.

 5-year anniversary

The Missouri Partnership marked five years as the official business recruitment and marketing organization for the state. Since 2009, the group has helped lead or support the recruitment of 45 businesses to Missouri, which resulted in the announced plans for 5,000 new jobs, more than $280 million in new annual payroll and $500 million in new capital investment.

            “In the past five years, the Missouri Partnership has done tremendous things to raise Missouri’s prominence, and their efforts to promote our state’s economic development opportunities have paid off beyond our expectations,” says Ryan Mooney, board member and senior vice president of economic development at the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as president of the Missouri Economic Development Council. “The team at the Missouri Partnership has outstanding credibility across the nation and are providing an incredible resource to local economic developers as we all work to create jobs for Missourians.”

 Riback/DKB purchases Jeff City property

Riback/DKB, a plumbing-HVAC distributor and kitchen and bath showroom company headquartered in Columbia, has purchased the 21,000-square-foot building at 2027 Christy Drive in Jefferson City, formerly Town & Country. The building was purchased to better serve the greater Jefferson City area by expanding and combining the plumbing facility and DKB showroom under one roof.

            “It is the longevity of our knowledgeable staff and the long-term relationships with our contractors and customers that keep us striving to improve our products and services after 75 years in business,” says Marty Riback, president of Riback Supply.

 5^th acquirement

Extra Help will work in partnership with eNet, a Columbia company, to provide comprehensive workforce management services to their clients.

 Two Men franchise opens in Columbia

Craig Hornbuckle, a former operations manager at Two Men and a Truck’s Springfield and Oklahoma City locations, opened a franchise office in Columbia.

            “Having worked with Two Men and a Truck for the past several years, I’ve seen firsthand how well a moving company offering quality moving services and providing exceptional customer service can do in a thriving market such as Columbia,” Hornbuckle says. “I’ve been eager to open my own franchise, but I wanted to make sure that the timing and location was right.”