Uncategorized
Mid-session legislative recap
Mid-session legislative recap As the Missouri General Assembly reaches the midway point of the 2016 session, Chamber staff continue to make weekly visits to the capitol, monitoring more than 140 bills on behalf of our members. We will encourage lawmakers to move on top priorities including transportation, workers’ compensation reforms, workforce and economic development and education…
Read MorePreparing to win: the back story on the Kraft Heinz expansion
Preparing to win: the back story on the Kraft Heinz expansion When major companies merge without warning, the effects can be damaging for communities that aren’t prepared … or a potential windfall for communities with a plan. That was the case with Kraft Heinz, one of Springfield’s largest manufacturing employers. When Kraft merged with Heinz…
Read MoreMaking the case for better roads
Making the case for better roads Making democracy work is, well, hard work. Elected officials are bombarded with information from staff, lobbyists, advocates and voters back home. Tweets, texts and emails compete for attention with floor speeches, committee meetings and phone calls. So when a constituent walks into the middle of this cacophony, the effect…
Read MoreEmployee education: What’s it worth?
Employee education: What’s it worth? In their quest to attract and retain talented employees, companies consider many options. One getting increased attention is support for education and professional development. That was the focus of a special session of the Chamber’s “60 Minutes to Success” educational series on March 29. The session, “Supporting Education Attainment,” included…
Read MoreTo find a true leader
To find a true leader They tower above most of us, those who have been honored as “Springfieldians.” At our annual meeting a few weeks ago, the 2016 Springfieldian award went to Bill Kirkman, an accountant by trade, a leader by nature. Here’s your chance to see a leader who inspires others to dream more…
Read MoreOur best intel comes from existing businesses
Our best intel comes from existing businesses Identifying business trends can be deceptively tricky. Who can provide the best insight? Who has the most reliable information? In its economic development work, Chamber staff decided to go to the source: CEOs and top business executives who spend each work day creating new possibilities, analyzing the bottom…
Read MoreHow The Network gives young professionals an edge
How The Network gives young professionals an edge Workforce issues continue to dominate our business community’s conversations and while much attention is paid to growing talent through the public school system and attracting experienced professionals to the region, there is a third way. In its work to meet workforce needs, the Chamber is also focusing…
Read MoreOur advocacy work is like a megaphone
Our advocacy work is like a megaphone With the start of the Missouri General Assembly session, our public affairs volunteers and staff are in high gear, traveling to the capitol each week to advocate the legislative agenda recommended by our Legislative Policy Committee and approved by our board of directors. For 31 years, the Chamber…
Read MoreSBDC tracks economic development gains
SBDC tracks economic development gains Reflecting back on 2015, the efforts of the Springfield Business Development Corporation were all about making connections. Read more about the SBDC’s accomplishments from the past year in the 2015 SBDC Annual Report. Supported by BKD CPAs & Advisors
Read MoreCharlie Cook analyzes all things political
Charlie Cook analyzes all things political The “combustible” atmosphere in today’s political arena isn’t so much a mystery as a logical result of several factors careening toward Decision 2016. Political analyst Charlie Cook explored the political scene in America for a full crowd at the Feb. 3 annual meeting of the Springfield Business Development Corporation,…
Read More