Chamber Updates

Be an Advocate for Business this Election Season Election season is upon us, and the ads, mailers and yard signs are impossible to miss. As a business leader in your community raising your voice in advocacy on policy issues can be critical to long-term success. Engaging in the political process as a business leader can…

Inflation Numbers Continue in a Positive Trend for Business Since the pandemic it feels like we have been in a relentless upward march of prices that affects everything from groceries to gas. New numbers released last Thursday revealed that consumer prices dropped 0.1% from May. On an annual basis, inflation eased to 3% last month from 3.3% in…

SBDC offers Zoom Workshop Opportunities for Business The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free consulting and low-cost training to small businesses across the United States, helping entrepreneurs with business planning, financial analysis, and marketing strategies to foster growth and success. It’s a valuable resource network supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration and local…

Independence Day, Freedom, and Entrepreneurship This Thursday marks the 248th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a document and message that set our nation on a new course. While many of us plan to enjoy a holiday from work to celebrate our nation’s freedom, now is a great time to think about how…

A new opportunity to Bounce your Big Idea Have you ever encountered a problem or an issue at work and thought there should be a technical solution to this problem? Do you have ideas for an application or technical concept that could be a business but don’t know where to start? Your next opportunity to…

Preserving History while Modernizing for the Future Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to join a couple hundred other guests at the Grand Opening of the Buckner Ragsdale Event Center (BREC) in downtown Cape Girardeau. A long shuttered and underused property now has a new opportunity to benefit the community and region, while highlighting the…

Road Construction Benefits Business The temperatures are warming up and the detour signs and orange cones are out in force, meaning construction season is underway. While this can certainly feel like a hassle when it disrupts your normal commuting patterns, continued investment in our infrastructure is good for business. Street improvements play a pivotal role…

Planting the Seeds of Entrepreneurship this Summer We are just one week into the summer season and the classic cries of “I’m bored” are starting to creep into households across the region. If the kids are older, encouraging them to find a job can be a terrific way to fill the summer void. But for…

Workforce Opportunities with Veterans Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of our nation. While reflecting on Veteran’s service and those that have made the ultimate sacrifice today, I also think it’s important to remember the value that service men and women can bring to your business as…

Professional Development is Good for Business One often overlooked yet incredibly powerful strategy to improve business performance is to invest in professional development for employees. While it may require resources upfront, the return on investment can make it a savvy choice for businesses of all sizes. While the benefits of professional development to business can…