Business Beat

KBIA News brings you a look at business issues important to mid-Missouri, on Business Beat.

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2/03/10 A look at the past week's happenings in mid-Missouri business news, and how one Missouri organization is using their federal stimulus funds to help low income families recover from the recession. (Pitured right: Gov. Jay Nixon, left, and Chinese ambassador Zhou Wenzhong.)

1/27/10 Gov. Jay Nixon presented his State of the State Address last week and made job creation his number one priority in making Missouri’s economy strong again. The day after his speech, Nixon made a day trip across the state to unveil his 2010 Jobs Package, including a stop in Columbia. Business Beat host Justin Rottger visited one tart-up business and talked to an innovator that saw an opportunity in Missouri.

1/20/10 KBIA's Spencer Ernst talks to workers for the Central Missouri Subcontracting Enterprises center about how the center makes a difference in mid-Missouri. Also, KBIA's Bianca Goutos looks at how some young couples are planning their weddings during tough economic times.

Drs. Keshab and Shubra Gangopadhyay 1/14/10 Nanotechnology is an emerging industry globally. It's usually used in healthcare and computers but its potential is still unknown as scientists work with industry to develop applications for the technology. At MU, a business is burgeoning that unites industry, engineering, science and global industries all coming together to become players in the field of nanotechnology enterprises. (Pictured: Drs. Shubhra and Keshab Gangopadhyay are working to develop nanotechnology applications for global industries, from their labs at the University of Missouri. Hosted by KBIA's Janet Saidi.

12/30/09 President Obama announced recently that a small Columbia business is one of the recipients of a national award. Midway USA (pictured right) was given the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. And a local activist is trying to move the community in a healthier direction. Hosted by KBIA's Janet Saidi.

12/23/09 The end of the year means a fresh crop of recent graduates ... and every year many graduates face the reality of paying back the loans they accumulated during their college years. This year has been especially difficult for recent graduates because of the problems with the economy and lack of jobs for graduates. KBIA's Celeste Miller spent some time with a college graduate working two jobs. Also, a recent event sponsored by Missouri’s 4-H Camp focused on getting teens interested in healthy eating habits, cooking, and fitness, by teaming them up with a local start-up company that makes granola bars. The 4-H camp is an activity-based educational program for young teens to discover and develop life skills— similar to the Boy Scouts. KBIA's Kristen Brody attended one of the events with the 4-H campers. Hosted by KBIA's Janet Saidi.

12/16/09 Local businesses are gearing up for the holiday season, and KBIA's Julie Black visited with a few Columbia businesses to see how they are handling the rush. Also, KBIA's Michael Gaio introduces us to the owner of "Cookie Break Cookies." Hosted by KBIA's Ken Boehlke.

12/09/09 KBIA's Maureen McCollum sits down with Missouri Rural Crisis Center's Rhonda Perry who is returning from her trip to Washington D.C. for a Job Summit with President Obama. Also, KBIA's Sean Hirschberg takes us to the New York Deli, in Columbia. Show hosted by KBIA's Ken Boehlke. (Pictured left: Rhonda Perry, photo courtesy of Farm Aid.)

Web extra! Click here to hear more from Rhonda Perry, including what she learned from the Job Summit and how she interacted with other business leaders at the Summit.

12/02/09 Shoplifting has historically been a major problem for businesses during the holiday season. KBIA's Jordan Stockdale reports on what stores in Columbia are doing to cut back on the thievery. Also, KBIA's James Steward tells us about a program businesses can utilize in order to avoid layoffs. Show hosted by Ken Boehlke.

11/25/09 Why your sales tax might be higher this Black Friday ... and, an uptick in travel this Thanksgiving, including by train. Sara Wittmeyer hosts.

11/18/09 Due to the recession, more and more women in the United States are becoming the breadwinners of their families. KBIA's Celeste Miller caught up with one family who's following the trend. Also, KBIA's Sananda Sahoo tells us about a town in northeast Missouri that is waiting on the state's help to repair its pipeline system. Show hosted by Ken Boehlke.

11/11/09 Low pork prices are effecting producers in many different ways. But as KBIA's Brandon J. Smith tells us, the effects can easily reach consumers as well. Also, KBIA's Arica Sampson brings us an audio postcard from Columbia's Shop Hop. Show hosted by Ken Boehlke.

11/4/09 The founder of TOMS shoes recently visited the University of Missouri. KBIA's Kristin Brody caught up with Blake Mycoskie and tells his story in an audio postcard. Also, a division of the Moberly school district is using a classic board game, in a not so classic way. Show hosted by Ken Boehlke.

10/28/09 The US Government announced $3.4 billion in stimulus money will go towards installing a new "smart grid" to replace America's current power grid. The St. Louis branch of Boeing is now putting its name in the hat for a share of that money. Also, a small bug called the twig beetle is killing thousands of trees on the west coast. KBIA's Rebecca Wolfson has the story of how this could impact Missouri. Show hosted by KBIA's Ken Boehlke. (Pictured: Walnut-tree growers discuss the effect of the twig beetle.)

10/21/09 This week, KBIA's Elle Moxley takes us on a tour of Columbia's growing sushi industry. Then, she talks to Sasha Issenberg, author of The Sushi Economy, which traces the cuisine's origins in terms of globalization. Hosted by KBIA's Ken Boehlke.

Web extra! Listen to the full interview with The Sushi Economy author Sasha Issenberg here.

10/14/09 Columbia City Council has decided it will support the TIF, or Tax Increment Funding, for the Tiger Hotel renovations. KBIA's Julie Black tells us how the TIF will affect Columbia. Also, the city is in the planning stages of introducing a "use tax." Columbia residents would therefore be forced to pay an extra tax when they shop online or through the mail. The city defends the tax by citing the issue of fairness to all residents. Hosted by Ken Boehlke.

10/7/09 Popular clothing brand The North Face threatens to sue a University of Missouri student over his knock-off brand, The South Butt. KBIA's Trey Conklin and Katie Dohse have the story. Also, a question and answer session with MU Business Professor Daniel Turban on the findings of a survey about recent graduate job seeking. Hosted by Ken Boehlke.

9/30/09 The debate over a high-speed railway in Missouri is reaching a tipping point. Also, Missouri's NAACP is calling out the Department of Transportation for shorting minority business owners on possible stimulus money. Finally, Missouri is using stimulus money to help senior citizens find jobs. Hosted by Ken Boehlke.

9/23/09 This week's SEMO District Fair in Cape Girardeau offered a lot of the expected, such as livestock, rides, and games. Fair enthusiasts who paid close attention also noticed something very out of the ordinary - Afrikaans, a Dutch-derived language spoken in South Africa. Story by Jacob McCleland. Also, the closing of a car dealership in Fulton and a group of Columbia residents form a business to stop the construction of an apartment complex. Hosted by Ken Boehlke.

9/16/09 KBIA's Julie Black has the story of the debate over the designation of Highway 54 as an interstate. Also, KBIA's Teryn Schaefer interviews Richard King of Thumper Entertainment about the ticket charges at this year's Roots, Blues and Barbecue Festival.

Web Extra! Listen to the full Richard King interview here.

9/09/09 Higher Education Commissioner Robert Stein talks about the relation between the economy and higher college enrollments. Also, KBIA's JJ Stankevitz has the story of a decade old jewelry shop's going out of business sale.

9/02/09 MU School of Business Professor Karen Schnatterly explains Columbia's state in the recession and recovery. Plus, one Columbia business owner says running a small business is going well. Hosted by KBIA's Ken Boehlke.

Web Extra! To hear the full Schnatterly interview, click here.

8/12/09 Recent reports from the Columbia Regional Airport show passenger numbers on the rise, and the airport wants to get bigger. The expansion could result in one family losing their farm. Plus, the U.S. Department of Transportation is providing over $900,000 in stimulus funding to improve a method of transportation that conjures images of Mark Twain and Life on the Mississippi.

8/5/09 The Jefferson City Penitentiary is perhaps the number one reason the capitol is still in Jefferson City today. In the 1830s, other towns attempted to have the capitol moved. But the prison was built in 1836 ... and that strengthened Jefferson City's position as the capital city because of all the industry it started. The prison closed in 2004 ... and now city and state leaders hope it can again be an engine that will draw people to town. KBIA's Janet Saidi hosts.

7/29/09 Columbia reaches a major population benchmark ... and, a talk to some folks who are trying to keep the population down ... in the landfill. Hosted by KBIA's Sean Powers.

Web Extra! Think about an old junk car. It may not run anymore, but some of its parts could be put to use. A Columbia company is taking that same idea, but applying it to electronics. Mid-Mo Recycling gets out-of-date keyboards, fax machines, and computer monitors and reuses them instead of sending them to a landfill. KBIA’s Kevin Roberts has this audio postcard slideshow from the company’s drop-off location.

7/22/09 It's been a busy week for Columbia's City Council. First, it approved two TIF projects downtown. KBIA's Maureen McCollum explains TIFs, how they work, and the controversy surrounding them. The council also passed several measures concerning this year's Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival. There are some changes this year, among them ... you’re going to have to make sure you don't leave your wallet at home. KBIA's Sara Wittmeyer has more. Hosted by KBIA's Sean Powers.

Web Extra! Click here to see a slideshow made by Stifel, Nicolaus, and Co. that was presented to the City Council. The second page contains a chart to help visualize the 23 year TIF model.

7/8/09 This week on Business Beat, a project from the governor's office is designed to increase broadband internet across the state. Also, a new law is making it harder for undocumented immigrants in Missouri to attend college. Plus, two business owners in Osage Beach re-open their classic diner off Highway 54.

Web Extra! KBIA's Jessica Holley talks with a customer who is excited about the diner's re-opening.

7/1/09 Gov. Jay Nixon signed the state budget last Thursday, but he also used his line-item veto power to cut $105 million out of it. Ellis Fischel's patient tower was one of the local projects to get put on hold. Also, Nixon's meeting with Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signaled their joint effort to get funding for a high-speed rail in mid-Missouri. Plus, Folks in Kirksville have been waiting for a proposed DNA lab to become a reality, and it looks like the city is going to have to keep waiting.

6/24/09 In this week's business beat, KBIA's Allison Clarke looks at the value of used restaurant grease and how people are now stealing this hot commodity. Also, skateboard enthusiasts share their love of the extreme sport when a new Columbia business Parkside Skateshop sponsored Columbia's "Go Skate Day." (Pictured: Skateboarders at Cosmo Park.)

6/17/09 May's unemployment numbers released this week show that the state's unemployment rate climbed nearly a full percentage point after a decline in April. KBIA's Cassandra Clemmens breaks down the numbers, how many jobs were lost and how the state plans to turn things around. Also, KBIA's James Burlison and Courtney Flatt report on a database set up by the Department of Insurance that could make it easier to track insurance companies' records. KBIA's Taylor Reeh takes a look at the recession's effect on the travel industry and when customers should take advantage of special travel deals.

6/10/09 The United States Department of Agriculture is hosting listening sessions across the nation about its Animal Identification System, or NAIS, which the USDA says helps track and prevent disease outbreaks in livestock. KBIA's Maureen McCollum was at a listening session this week in Jefferson City, where about 300 farmers and advocates came from across Missouri and the Midwest – the majority spoke against the system. From Springfield, Jennifer Moore has the story of one Missouri couple who are changing thousands of lives on the other side of the world. (Pictured: Children who attend a school in India, started by a couple in Springfield, Mo.)

6/03/09A new biodiesel production plant opened in Moberly this week. KBIA’s Taylor Reeh has more on area soybean farmers are investing in the unique business model. Also, KBIA’s Sean Powers talks with Columbia’s new Director of Economic Development, Mike Brooks. Hosted by KBIA’s Janet Saidi. (Left: Producer’s Choice board member Larry McDonald leads a tour through the plant as farmer Leroy Taylor, of Palmyra, watches on. Taylor owns a farm in Palmyra and invested some money in the $17.5 million biodiesel production facility.)

5/27/09The Missouri prison system has a multi-million dollar annual budget. Typically, it increases every year, but this year the budget actually decreased. And we also look at what a local volunteer organization is doing to help people stay cool this summer. Hosted by KBIA's Sara Wittmeyer.

5/20/09Chrysler recently decided to cut a quarter of its 3200 dealerships nationwide. KBIA's Joe Garber reports on local dealers sounding off on the automaker's decision. Also, KBIA's Courtney Flatt has the story of Bob Hine, a University of Missouri sorority house chef who was laid off in December. Finally, KBIA's Shane Hoffman comments on the MU Journalism School's controversial decision to "require" incoming freshmen to purchase an iPod Touch or iPhone.

5/13/09 The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture visits southeast Missouri to talk about the nation's agriculture community ... and, the Columbia Farmer's Market does not get federal stimulus fund that would have helped fund a new pavilion. Hosted by KBIA's Sean Powers.

5/6/09President Barack Obama may address immigration reform this month. On the campaign trail, Obama promised comprehensive immigration legislation, including a plan to make it easier for immigrants to obtain US citizenship. KBIA's Eric Durban looks at how Missouri is addressing the immigration issue. Then, KBIA's Carolina Astrain visits Los Cuates Latin Store in Columbia, a business hurting because fewer immigrants are coming to Missouri. Plus, KBIA's Courtney Flatt has the story of a mid-Missouri immigrant who was recently laid off. (Pictured left: Rigotto Perez is the shopkeeper of Los Cuates Latin Market on Paris Road. Before moving to Missouri three years ago, Perez lived in Florida.)

4/29/09This week, the Obama administration said it would expand its housing aid plan by offering mortgage lenders incentives to lower the rates borrowers' pay on second mortgages. Missouri Public Radio's Maria Altman reports on a bill floating through the Missouri General Assembly that could give renters more time to move out of a foreclosed unit. Then, KBIA's Ken Boehlke talks to ReMax Boone Realty agent Greg Harmon who says Missouri renters of foreclosed properties have more than enough time to plenty of time to find a new home. (Pictured: Foreclosed home in Huntsville, MO valued at $9,950)

4/22/09This week, researchers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs are gathered in Columbia for the Missouri Energy Summit, and all the talk is on the environment. KBIA’s Steve Weinman looks at a repor t released by the Argonne National Laboratory that says Missouri will be using a staggering amount of water for corn-based ethanol production by 2030. And then Ashley Crimaldi talks to Gary Ryan of Ryan Enterprises, who transforms discarded waste into new agricultural products.

4/15/09A law and economics professor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City talks about the Obama administration's decision to release information on the stress tests of the country's banks. He says the decision came only after the administration became the subject of criticism. Hosted by KBIA's Sean Powers.
(Pictured left: William Black, Associate Professor of Economics and Law at UMKC )

4/8/09The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than more than 250,000 Missourians were unemployed and looking for work in February. In the first part of a three-part series on unemployment, KBIA’s Courtney Flatt has the story of Wes Winberry who was recently laid off from his job at MBS Textbook Exchange in Columbia. As people, like Winberry, continue to apply for unemployment benefits and look for jobs, the non-profit Missouri Budget Project Missouri Budget Project reports Missouri’s unemployment rate is getting worse. KBIA’s Taylor Reeh talks with the group’s Executive Director Amy Blouin about what this means for mid-Missourians. (Pictured left: Wes Winberry)

4/1/09The economic downturn has hit Newspapers hard in the last year. The Columbia Missourian last month cut its print edition to five days a week from seven. Like many news organizations impacted by the financial crisis, newspapers have to make sacrifices. Columbia Missourian General Manager Dan Potter talks to host Sean Powers about how his newspaper is fairing during the financial crisis. KBIA Steve Sliker talks to Erica Smith who by day designs graphics for the St. Louis Post Dispatch and by night runs the blog, Paper Cuts, a database of newspaper layoffs and buyouts.

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