Posts by John Mehner

“Show Me Careers” Taking Place This Week Today is the first day of a very important week-long experience for several local educators. Show Me Careers is a program developed by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cape Chamber is partnering with them on delivery in this area. The program is a workforce…

Missouri Legislature Passes Fuel Tax Increase The Missouri legislature did something this year they haven’t done since 1996. That is correct. It has been a quarter of a century since the state of Missouri passed and implemented a fuel tax increase. Senate Bill 262 changed history as it passed both the House and the Senate…

Cape Area Magnet Announces Reorganization This local economic development organization has reorganized and is focused on maximizing future opportunities. The Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET recently announced it has not only expanded its investors and board of directors, but there is much more on the horizon. As a reminder, MAGNET is a regional organization charged with…

Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal Reached In case you missed it, there was a little sign of hope last week out of Washington D.C. for future progress. For many years, both citizens and elected representatives have agreed it is increasingly necessary to address this country’s infrastructure. But for those same many years, there has been no significant…

Juneteenth Becomes America’s 12th Federal Holiday It is the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King, Jr. day was established in 1983. Last Thursday, President Biden signed legislation into law making Juneteenth, or June 19th, the 12th federal holiday. Juneteenth recognizes when Union soldiers delivered the news of freedom to slaves in Galveston, Texas…

Missouri Ends Participation in Federal Pandemic-Related Unemployment Insurance In the state of Missouri, it ended at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, June 12. Of course, I am referring to the Governor’s decision to end participation in all federal pandemic-related unemployment insurance programs. In his official press release announcing the decision, the Governor said in his discussions…

City of Cape Releases Updated Hotel/Motel/Restaurant Receipts Report It is important to celebrate meaningful accomplishments. The city of Cape just released the updated hotel/motel/restaurant receipts report, and it tells an amazing story. The last two months of hotel/motel receipts are the second and third highest in history. And the last two months of restaurant receipts…

Retirement Announcement There is a Time for Everything This is a note to our awesome Chamber membership – past and present. Wanted to take just a few minutes and let you know I have decided this year, 2021, will be my last here at the Chamber. It has been a true honor and privilege to…

Update from First Regular Session of Missouri’s 101st General Assembly The First Regular Session of the 101st General Assembly of the State of Missouri has ended and there are some changes coming that will affect the business community. After several years of efforts, the Wayfair bill passed. Missouri became the last of the 45 states…

Acquiring Local Talent While the month of May is known for many things, one of these could be a real benefit for our regional business community. May is the biggest graduation month. In the Cape/Jackson metro we are blessed to have numerous public, private and parochial high schools as well as Southeast Missouri State University.…