Posts by rgilligan_robgilligan

Latest Release of Federal Reserve Beige Book Offers Insights for Business As the CEO of your Chamber of Commerce, I often focus on equipping our business community with the clearest possible picture of the economic landscape. One of the most insightful tools we monitor is the Federal Reserve Bank’s Beige Book. Published eight times a…

An Opportunity for Small Business Owners in 2026 Are you a small business owner who is ready to grow to the next level? The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program is now expanding to rural Missouri, offering an incredible opportunity for growth-minded entrepreneurs. The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program provides MBA-level business education designed…

What Does a Federal Government Shutdown Mean for Business? For the 20th time since 1976, the U.S. federal government has “shut down” after Congress failed to pass a funding bill to start the new fiscal year. Understanding how this may impact your operations is an important part of business. Federal government shutdowns can create significant challenges…

Applications opening for Missouri One Start Program If you are a business leader here in Southeast Missouri, you already know one of the best investments you can make is in your most valuable asset: your employees. The next application period for the Missouri One Start Credential Training Program opens on Wednesday and is an opportunity…

Celebrating American Business Women’s Day Today, September 22nd is American Business Women’s Day, a holiday recognizing the founding of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) in 1949. According to a 2021 article titled Research: Adding Women to the C-Suite Changes How Companies Think published online by Harvard business Review that is a good thing. The ABWA has…

What to watch for at the Federal Reserve Meeting this week The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets for two days starting tomorrow with a big topic for discussion and possible action. While these discussions might seem far removed, their outcomes directly influence our local economy here in Southeast Missouri. The major topic…

The Importance of Community Networking for Business In an increasingly digital world, it’s easy to think that business can be conducted entirely online. While social media and email have their place, the real power of business growth lies in in-person connections. This is especially true for our thriving business community right here in Southeast Missouri.…

Labor Day and Labor Markets As we return from another Labor Day weekend, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the meaning of this holiday. It was created to honor the contributions of American workers—the people who built our country and continue to drive its progress. Today, that legacy is more important than ever as…

A Rise in Niche and Hyper-Local Businesses The modern consumer’s shift towards authentic, community-driven experiences is fueling the rise of niche and hyperlocal businesses. These enterprises thrive by focusing on a specific passion or service, transforming transactions into meaningful connections within their immediate community. The success of niche and hyperlocal businesses is a testament to…

Good Business Starts with Good Hospitality Last week was move in day for thousands of SEMO students as they got ready for today’s start of the fall semester. With move in activity that means hundreds of new residents and their families and friends were coming to spend some time and money here in Cape Girardeau…