Posts by growthzone
Business and higher ed talks lead to new course at Ozarks Technical Community College
Business and higher ed talks lead to new course at Ozarks Technical Community College Businesses asked, and the education community has answered. Beginning this fall, the Center for Workforce Development at Ozarks Technical Community College will offer a new course designed with a particular local industry in mind. The pilot course will focus on stainless steel fabrication…
Read MoreCompany chooses Springfield for new facility
Company chooses Springfield for new facility Community Wholesale Tire, Inc., one of the Midwest’s largest tire distributors, began operations at a new 64,000 sq. ft. facility in Springfield on July 13. As part of the expansion, the company, headquartered in Hazelwood, Missouri, will create 20 new jobs and invest $4.3 million. Community Wholesale Tire serves…
Read MoreChamber, MSU build Springfield’s international network
Chamber, MSU build Springfield’s international network Consider this—95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States. Also consider that there are more than 1,800 international students from more than 80 countries that attend Missouri State University. These two numbers represent a significant opportunity for Springfield. Since 2008, the Chamber’s International Business Council has worked…
Read MoreFour resources to keep your business from being hacked
Four resources to keep your business from being hacked Cyber security is a must for the modern small business. Cyber attacks on major corporations make for bigger headlines, but make no mistake, small and medium sized businesses are at risk as well. In fact, in 2012, 50 percent of all targeted cyber attacks were aimed…
Read MoreTeachers learn a thing or two from area businesses
Teachers learn a thing or two from area businesses Four days. Three industries. 11 school districts. 23 businesses. 31 teachers. The impact on our workforce—exponential. Beginning next week, the Greater Ozarks Centers for Advanced Professional Studies will send teachers from across the Springfield region into area businesses to find out first-hand what skills are needed…
Read MoreFed study shows Springfield businesses are generally optimistic
Fed study shows Springfield businesses are generally optimistic Businesses in the Springfield area are generally optimistic according to results from a recent Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis survey. On June 29, regional economist Charles Gascon discussed themes from the survey of more than 100 area businesses, as well as highlights from the Fed’s economic analysis of the region.…
Read MoreLegislators weigh in on hits and misses from the session
Legislators weigh in on hits and misses from the session Members packed the Chamber to hear state Senator Mike Parson and Representative Kevin Austin share their take on what—at least from a Chamber perspective—was one of the strongest legislative sessions in many years. “This has been a very successful year for southwest Missouri,” Parson said. “It is…
Read MoreSBDC helps land new American Airlines service
SBDC helps land new American Airlines service The airport is not just about getting to a sunny beach or a luxurious resort—we like those things too—but for the Chamber and the Springfield Business Development Corporation, our airport is about connecting commerce, economic development opportunities and ultimately, job creation. Each day decision-makers come into the Springfield region…
Read MoreNixon signs legislation to protect businesses, taxpayers
Nixon signs legislation to protect businesses, taxpayers Picture this—you’re busy at work, when you get a letter from the Missouri Department of Revenue saying that you have to pay more than $90,000 in back taxes you never knew you owed. This is the scenario that state legislators are putting a stop to with a bill recently…
Read MoreSeries: Making room for economic growth
Series: Making room for economic growth Economic development is an ongoing, competitive process. We are always competing with other regions across the country and around the globe both to attract businesses as well as keep the employers we already have. To stay in the running, we have to ask ourselves, “do we have the best…
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