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Employee education benefits companies & workers
Employee education benefits companies & workers As businesses continue to look for ways to address their biggest ongoing challenge – finding, developing and keeping quality, skilled employees – many are looking for ways to encourage employees to continue their education or add new training and certifications. Four such businesses shared their experiences on June 8…
Read MoreState leaders echo need for workforce development
State leaders echo need for workforce development The State of Missouri faces several challenges in coming years, and few are more pressing than the ongoing shortage of skilled workers. But the state is uniquely positioned to tackle those challenges head-on if leaders are willing to take them on. That was the message from a June…
Read MoreLaunching summer with a flashback Friday
Launching summer with a flashback Friday Nostalgia was on full display at Farmers Park June 9 as The Network for Young Professionals held its second annual Summer Fest. The 2017 edition, presented in conjunction with the City of Springfield, had a 90s theme, complete with throwback décor, themed food and drinks (can you say Pop…
Read MoreHouse budget chair offers look back at 2017 session
House budget chair offers look back at 2017 session For Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, (R-Shell Knob), his first year as chairman of the Missouri House Budget Committee was a challenging one based on the state’s $500 million dollar budget shortfall. Despite tough budget choices for the legislature to make, there were many business successes to point…
Read MoreCreating a culture of employee advancement
Creating a culture of employee advancement Time and again, Chamber members – like employers of all stripes across the country – tell us that the biggest challenge they face is finding and keeping quality workers. The statistics bear it out: The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that two-thirds of jobs will require postsecondary education by…
Read More3M announces $40M expansion in Springfield, creating 90 new jobs
3M announces $40M expansion in Springfield, creating 90 new jobs After working with the City of Springfield to finalize its plans over the last few months, 3M has now officially announced the expansion of manufacturing operations at its Springfield facility. Enabling the company to operate more efficiently and better serve its customers, the expansion is…
Read MoreState legislative session brings major business successes, but work remains
State legislative session brings major business successes, but work remains The 2017 Missouri legislative session ended May 12, and several priorities from the Chamber’s state legislative agenda made it across the finish line, marking a successful year for the state’s business climate. In addition to Missouri’s Right to Work legislation, which passed early in the session and was…
Read MoreTeaching teachers about opportunities for students
Teaching teachers about opportunities for students If you ask most Chamber members about their current outlook for the future, optimism is high. Customers are ready to buy and companies are ready to grow. But if you ask those same companies to identify the biggest potential barrier to growth and optimism, the answer is almost unanimous:…
Read MoreSecond group of accelerator companies presents to the public
Second group of accelerator companies presents to the public For the second group of companies in The eFactory’s Accelerator program, created by Missouri State University and funded in part by the Chamber and its development arm, the Springfield Business Development Corporation, May 1 was the culmination of 12 weeks of hard work. It was also…
Read MoreChamber announces 2017 Small Business Award recipient
Chamber announces 2017 Small Business Award recipient During the Chamber’s annual event on May 3 at University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, Askinosie Chocolate received the 2017 W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award. The small-batch chocolate factory was selected by a panel of independent judges from a group of finalists that included Computer Recycling Center,…
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