Business

A new monthly survey suggests the economy in nine Midwest and Plains states will continue to slow down but continue growing even as Europe's woes persist.

The region's overall economic index dipped to 57.2 in June from May's 57.6 and April's 60. Any score above 50 suggests growth.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says businesses in the region are still benefiting from healthy farm income and exports, but the activity is slowing.

Global economic problems are hurting export orders.

Conversations about reestablishing service on the 27-mile rail line between Mexico and Fulton have been ongoing for the past decade. The line has been out of service since the late 1990’s when it failed to generate enough business to stay running. In 2007 the project became more feasible when new owner Mike Williams showed an interest in developing the line. President of the Fulton Area Development Corporation Bruce Hackmann says progress has been made but many details of the project remain unsolved.

This week on the show: an enzyme factory aims to be a big part of the ethanol industry, and a business incubator in Columbia lands a state tax credit.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development awarded state tax credits to five small business incubators on Monday. The Life Science Business Incubation Center in Columbia was awarded a $100,000 in tax credits.

Missouri students are expected to see a change in career guidance in school as part of a new initiative to better prepare students for their future. Missouri is one of six states that joined the Pathways for Prosperity Network this week.

Columbia Regional Airport is getting close to its goal of raising a half a million dollars from the private sector. The money would be used to try to land another connecting flight to the airport.

Located in and around the J.W. “Blind” Boone Community Center downtown, the Moving Ahead program aims to nurture resiliency to substance abuse and gang involvement in Columbia’s youth. Along with doubling their enrollment and receiving its State Licensing this year, teacher reports from April indicate impressive academic performance from the students. CEO of the Columbia Housing Authority, Phil Steinhaus says he attributes the program’s success to a grant they received from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.