Posts by rgilligan_robgilligan

From Cape to Statewide: Codefi’s AI Powered Evolution It has been just over a decade since Codefi first opened its doors in downtown Cape Girardeau, sparked by a mission to prove that world-class tech innovation doesn’t require a Silicon Valley zip code. Today, we are thrilled to celebrate a massive milestone for this homegrown organization:…

SEMO REDI Releases Inaugural 2026 Regional Economic Report At last weeks First Friday Coffee The Southeast Missouri Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SEMO REDI) officially released the Southeast Missouri Economic Report 2026, a first-of-its-kind publication designed to provide a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of our 18-county region. For business leaders and community stakeholders, this report offers a…

Don’t Get Stuck in the “Groundhog Day” Rut “Okay, campers, rise and shine!” Every February, I love to revisit the classic film Groundhog Day, where Bill Murray’s Phil Connors is forced to relive the same day over and over. He steps in the same slushy puddle, has the same awkward conversations, and hears “I Got You…

Beating the Winter Blues The holiday lights are down, the “New Year, New Me” energy has faded, and we are left with the snow drifts and grey skies of winter. For many business owners, this time of year brings a noticeable dip in employee morale and productivity, often called the “Winter Gloom.” As leaders, we…

The Antidote to the Mid-January Slump Monday, January 19, 2026, marks an interesting intersection on our calendars. To many, it is “Blue Monday”, statistically cited as the day when the cold weather, the arrival of post-holiday bills, and the fading of New Year’s resolutions converge to create a seasonal low in morale. But more importantly,…

Setting your Business New Year’s Resolutions We all know the statistic: most New Year’s resolutions are abandoned by mid-February. In our personal lives, this might mean an underutilized gym membership. In business, however, the cost of abandoned goals is much higher, it means stagnated growth and missed opportunities. As we look toward 2026, I challenge…

The ROI of Rest As we close the books on another dynamic business year, the familiar end-of-year pressure begins to mount. In the business world, December often feels less like a wind-down and more like a sprint to the finish line, complicating our ability to balance professional obligations with the holiday season. While it is…

Key End-of-Year Tax Moves for Small Businesses As 2025 winds down, it’s a critical time for small business owners to capitalize on significant tax benefits introduced by the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA). You can claim benefits for expenses and purchases made now, (even those dating back to January 20th, 2025) so don’t wait…

Century Casino Cuts Ribbon on New BetMGM Sportsbook Last week, we celebrated the ribbon cutting and opening of the new BetMGM Sportsbook at Century Casino in Cape Girardeau. This significant investment is far more than just a new entertainment venue; it is a catalyst for economic growth and a vibrant enhancement of the quality of…

The Economic Impact of Shopping Local this Holiday Season As we all come back to work or school following a busy holiday weekend, we are now officially into the final run up to Christmas, and the season that kicked off with Black Friday deals and Shop Local Saturday is more important than ever to keep…