Jacob Barker

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Ad strategies scrutinized during downturn

All Super Bowl party guests in Columbia got a taste of Les Bourgeois Vineyards whether they bought a bottle or not. The Rocheport winemaker aired the first television commercial of its new ad campaign during the big game, kicking off an expanded marketing budget geared toward grabbing market share during the economic downturn.

Council candidates get crash course in city business

*Candidate Orientation*Council candidates learn ins and outs of city government

Local firms embrace online marketing

Who knew that tucked away in a strip mall on Bernadette Drive in Columbia is one of the major players in the soccer retailing business: SoccerPro, which is attracting customers from New Jersey to New Zealand.

Financial planners see investment opportunities

*Financial Advisors Q&A*Planners see investment opportunities in bear market

Trittenbach proposes downtown building project

*Downtown Development*Trittenbach proposes multi-story building

Donor generosity sustains charities despite downturn

As local charities geared up for their
holiday campaigns, administrators knew
they faced a challenging year

Soup kitchen users often return as volunteers

A group of about a dozen people had gathered around a picnic table in the…

Developers, businesses lose property to lenders in turbulent market

As Columbia’s building boom fades into memory, some speculative developers who entered the market too…

Columbia seeks voter approval to improve water distribution system

*Wishing Wells*City seeks voter approval for water distribution system improvements.

Local banks relatively stable amid shaky market

The global financial crisis and the fear of a collapse has led to unprecedented government…

Market struggles; Machens expands

The day after one of the country’s largest auto dealers abruptly closed all 14 of its locations and financial markets seemed on the brink of collapse, Gary Drewing, the owner of Joe Machens Dealerships, calmly surveyed his latest acquisition, Legend Automotive Group.