Chamber Updates

Mapping the Momentum of Growth in Cape Girardeau Right now, it seems like everywhere you look when driving around Cape Girardeau there is some kind of construction project in various stages of progress going on. From remodeling projects to new business development, housing development projects to voter-approved tax funded infrastructure development, it’s a lot to…

What Missouri SB 1272 Act Means for Your Business Website Missouri has taken a decisive step to protect local businesses from predatory legal practices with the passage of Senate Bill 1272, also known as the Act Against Abusive and Predatory Website Access Litigation. Over the last couple of years, many small-to-medium-sized businesses in Missouri have fallen prey…

High Travel Cost Means Opportunity – Let’s Think Staycations! With national average gas prices hovering well above $4.00 a gallon and airline tickets reaching multi-year highs, the cost of the traditional family summer vacation has skyrocketed. For consumers, it’s a budget crunch. But for Southeast Missouri business owners, this travel-cost bottleneck presents a unique economic…

Honoring Our History: Why Historic Preservation is Smart Business May is recognized as National Preservation Month, celebrating efforts to keep connected to our history. In Cape County, looking back isn’t just about honoring the past, it’s also a proven strategy for economic growth. Historic preservation is a powerful driver of local commerce, transforming underutilized properties…

Navigating the Heat: CPI Trends and Your Business Strategy for Summer The temperatures really started turning up this past weekend here in Southeast Missouri, but that’s not the only thing on the rise. Recent reports indicate that while the blistering pace of inflation has cooled slightly from its historic peaks, “sticky” prices in essential sectors…

Why the New B Magazine ‘Progress’ Issue is Must-read Every spring, a specific milestone signals renewal for the Southeast Missouri business community: the release of the Progress issue of B Magazine. Produced by the Southeast Missourian, this edition serves as a definitive roadmap of regional growth, success, and future potential. The Progress issue provides a…

Cultivating Innovation: The $19,500 AgTech Vibethon Challenge Innovation in Cape Girardeau is hitting a new gear. On Monday, May 18, Codefi and the ShowMe Network will launch the AgTech Vibeathon, a high-stakes, five-day sprint designed to tackle real-world agricultural challenges using the power of AI. This isn’t your typical tech event. The Vibeathon is built…

Building Economic Resilience in 2026 As we move through the second quarter of 2026, Missouri business owners are finding themselves caught in a familiar but tightening vise. While the broader economy shows signs of grit, inflation in the Midwest has proven stubbornly “sticky,” hovering near 3.4%. For business the most immediate pressure point is at…

Show Me Network Week & The AI Revolution Next month, Missouri’s entrepreneurial spirit takes center stage as May 4th through the 8th will be the inaugural Show-Me Network Week. Held in conjunction with National Small Business Week, this statewide event highlights the modern pathways founders are taking to grow businesses across every corner of Missouri. Led by…

Building the Future of a Regional Healthcare Workforce Last week, Southeast Missouri State University took a monumental step in securing our regional workforce by breaking ground on the Roy Blunt Health Professions Hall. This 55,000-square-foot facility is more than just a new addition to campus—it is a critical investment in the future of Cape Girardeau.…