Business 2009 Archive

business 2009 archive

KBIA News brings you a look at business issues important to mid-Missouri, on Business Beat.

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5/20/09Chrysler recently decided to cut a quarter of its 3200 dealerships nationwide. KBIA's Joe Garber reports on local dealers sounding off on the automaker's decision. Also, KBIA's Courtney Flatt has the story of Bob Hine, a University of Missouri sorority house chef who was laid off in December. Finally, KBIA's Shane Hoffman comments on the MU Journalism School's controversial decision to "require" incoming freshmen to purchase an iPod Touch or iPhone.

5/13/09 The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture visits southeast Missouri to talk about the nation's agriculture community ... and, the Columbia Farmer's Market does not get federal stimulus fund that would have helped fund a new pavilion. Hosted by KBIA's Sean Powers.

5/6/09President Barack Obama may address immigration reform this month. On the campaign trail, Obama promised comprehensive immigration legislation, including a plan to make it easier for immigrants to obtain US citizenship. KBIA's Eric Durban looks at how Missouri is addressing the immigration issue. Then, KBIA's Carolina Astrain visits Los Cuates Latin Store in Columbia, a business hurting because fewer immigrants are coming to Missouri. Plus, KBIA's Courtney Flatt has the story of a mid-Missouri immigrant who was recently laid off. (Pictured left: Rigotto Perez is the shopkeeper of Los Cuates Latin Market on Paris Road. Before moving to Missouri three years ago, Perez lived in Florida.)

4/29/09This week, the Obama administration said it would expand its housing aid plan by offering mortgage lenders incentives to lower the rates borrowers' pay on second mortgages. Missouri Public Radio's Maria Altman reports on a bill floating through the Missouri General Assembly that could give renters more time to move out of a foreclosed unit. Then, KBIA's Ken Boehlke talks to ReMax Boone Realty agent Greg Harmon who says Missouri renters of foreclosed properties have more than enough time to plenty of time to find a new home. (Pictured: Foreclosed home in Huntsville, MO valued at $9,950)

4/22/09This week, researchers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs are gathered in Columbia for the Missouri Energy Summit, and all the talk is on the environment. KBIA’s Steve Weinman looks at a repor t released by the Argonne National Laboratory that says Missouri will be using a staggering amount of water for corn-based ethanol production by 2030. And then Ashley Crimaldi talks to Gary Ryan of Ryan Enterprises, who transforms discarded waste into new agricultural products.

4/15/09A law and economics professor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City talks about the Obama administration's decision to release information on the stress tests of the country's banks. He says the decision came only after the administration became the subject of criticism. Hosted by KBIA's Sean Powers.
(Pictured left: William Black, Associate Professor of Economics and Law at UMKC )

4/8/09The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than more than 250,000 Missourians were unemployed and looking for work in February. In the first part of a three-part series on unemployment, KBIA’s Courtney Flatt has the story of Wes Winberry who was recently laid off from his job at MBS Textbook Exchange in Columbia. As people, like Winberry, continue to apply for unemployment benefits and look for jobs, the non-profit Missouri Budget Project Missouri Budget Project reports Missouri’s unemployment rate is getting worse. KBIA’s Taylor Reeh talks with the group’s Executive Director Amy Blouin about what this means for mid-Missourians. (Pictured left: Wes Winberry)

04/01/09The economic downturn has hit Newspapers hard in the last year. The Columbia Missourian last month cut its print edition to five days a week from seven. Like many news organizations impacted by the financial crisis, newspapers have to make sacrifices. Columbia Missourian General Manager Dan Potter talks to host Sean Powers about how his newspaper is fairing during the financial crisis. KBIA Steve Sliker talks to Erica Smith who by day designs graphics for the St. Louis Post Dispatch and by night runs the blog, Paper Cuts, a database of newspaper layoffs and buyouts.

03/25/09A report out by the U.S. Department of Labor says from January to February there were about 2,000 fewer initial claims for unemployment insurance in Missouri. Columbia Chamber of Commerce President Don Laird says now may actually be a good a time to start a small business. Not all small businesses setting up shop up by first time business owners. Walker Claridge, owner of Columbia's Root Cellar, is opening up a new business right next door called the Broadway Brewery. KBIA's Austin Coates takes a look inside. Also, the Obama administration formally announced the next phase of its approach this week to encourage lending between private investors and banks. Under the plan, the government will use $100 billion dollars in TARP funds to relieve banks of troubled "legacy" assets that are on their balance sheets. Treasury Secretary Geitner didn't rule out the possibility of spending up to a trillion dollars down the road. This additional future spending could come from borrowing and printing new money. So, what happens when the Fed prints money? MU Economics professor Joseph Haslag has followed several possibilities to their logical conclusion. Here's his commentary on how…when it comes to money and printing money…the trick is to get the right balance between supply and demand. (Pictured: Joseph Haslag is the Ken Lay Chair of Economics at the University of Missouri.)

03/18/09This economy is affecting businesses of all shapes and sizes ranking from multibillion dollar corporations, to organizations with less capital like small businesses and non-profits. The Obama administration announced plans on Monday to free up lending between banks and small businesses. The Small Business Association's Kansas City Director Gary Cook says in the last few days following the Administration’s announcement, his office has gotten more calls from potential lenders. KBIA’s Nikki Vivas talks to Boonville business owners to find out how they are attracting customers during the economic slowdown, and KBIA’s Carolina Astrain reports on a coalition of local nonprofit organizations collaborating to pump money into Columbia. (Left: Ze's grandmother Denise Tucker keeps this photo of Ze and his Big Brother mentor Jim Hogan in her purse.)

03/11/09Gambling is alive and well in Missouri. A report out by the Missouri Gaming Commission shows that in spite of the national and statewide economic recession, plenty of Missourians are trying their luck. But KBIA’s Steve Weinman reports that not everyone is sold on the success of the casino business. Then, host Sean Powers talks with St. Louis University economics professor Muhammad Islam Muhammad Islam, who co-authored a 2003 report report on the economic impact of Missouri’s casinos.

03/04/09A group of property and business owners want to create a Community Improvement District for downtown Columbia. This would raise the district's sales tax by half a cent, and its revenues would expand the services of the Special Business District, which funds cleaning and safety initiatives in downtown Columbia. As KBIA's Erika Croonenberghs and Zack Shlachter report, some business owners are scratching their heads over the proposal. Columbia, Mo is the 8th best college sports town, according to a recent story by Forbes reporter Matt Woolsey (click here to read story). The list takes into account a town’s athletic achievements, education, and cost of living. Host Sean Powers talks to Woolsey about Columbia’s ranking.

02/25/09 UM President Forsee hosted a town-hall forum on Friday in Columbia to answer questions about how the University of Missouri will stay afloat during the crisis. KBIA’s Eric Durban caught up with Forsee and MU Chancellor Brady Deaton to find out how the needs of the University will be met during this recession. Also, as health care costs and living expenses continue to rise, senior citizens and those organizations attempting to help them are among the hardest hit. And as KBIA's Shane Hoffman reports in the second of a two-part report, each day brings new challenges to seniors. (Pictured right: David Dollens, 66, lives in Paquin Towers in Columbia. He says many of the seniors at the complex struggle to meet basic needs, like food and health care.)

02/18/09 Governor Jay Nixon is getting more stimulus money (http://www.recovery.gov/) for Missouri than he had predicted. In his budget for fiscal year 2010, Nixon designated more than $800 million for in state stabilization funds. Out of the four billion dollars Missouri is getting from the stimulus, one billion dollars will go towards in state stabilization. Columbia Missourian reporter Nathan Winters talks about what the passage of this cash infusion means for Missouri.

While Missourians wait for noticeable results from the stimulus package, food and utility prices continue to rise. As KBIA’s Shane Hoffman and Courtney Flatt report, safety net organizations are struggling to meet the growing demand for assistance.
(Pictured left: Bret Mays designs a sign to display prices at the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Feb. 16, 2009. Mays has worked at the store for five months.)

02/11/09 This week Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner outlined how the federal government plans to spend the remaining 350 billion dollars of the Trouble Asset Relief Program. Susan Bies, a former member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, talks about the Trouble Asset Relief Program. Plus Governor Jay Nixon’s proposed cuts to the University of Missouri Extension may have an impact on the future of the state’s Agribusiness.
(Pictured left: Susan Bies served on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors from 2001-2007.)

02/04/09 The United States Senate may approve President Barack Obama's nearly $900 billion stimulus package this week. To oversee stimulus spending on state programs like education, Medicaid, and infrastructure, the Govern Colt or created the Economic Stimulus Coordination Council. This Council met for the first time on Wednesday, and its co-chair Steven Stogel talks to host Sean Powers about how the stimulus bill could impact Missouri. Also, University of Missouri professor Joseph Haslag gives his two cents on why Obama's cash infusion is not a good idea.
(The colt railroad crossing on Columbia's U.S. 63, pictured, right, is one of 34 Missouri highway sites that could be impacted by the federal stimulus program.)

01/28/09 Kansas City Star Reporter Jason Noble talks about Governor Jay Nixon's first State of the State address and how President Barack Obama's $825 billion stimulus package fits in with Nixon's recommended budget.
Then, it's back to school. As part of Governor's higher education plan, he has vowed not to cut the higher education budget for the state's colleges and universities as long as they cap tuition. Well, hours after the State of the State Address, we're seeing cuts to the University of Missouri System. Hosted by KBIA's Sean Powers.
Click here for a link to the 2010 budget.
Click here to watch the full State of the State address.

01/21/09 Host Sean Powers talks to Linda Martinez who is Governor Jay Nixon's pick to run the Department of Economic Development. And University of Missouri business professor Karen Schnatterly says even after Enron, Lehman Brothers, and Bernard Madoff's Ponzi Scheme, more corporate fraud is in sight..

01/14/09 Jay Nixon has vowed to make job creation a priority as Governor. Columbia Business Times reporter Sean Spence talks about the Governor's economic agenda. And host Sean Powers looks at one aspect of Nixon's plan that expands the Quality Jobs Program, which was introduced by his Republican predecessor, Matt Blunt. Hosted by KBIA's Sean Powers.

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