Chamber Updates

New Programs to Expand Childcare Access Could Reduce Workforce Inequality A January 2023 report from the World Economic Forum found that “The pandemic negatively impacted women much more than men: while women constituted approximately 39% of the global workforce, they suffered 54% of the job losses.” A study from the University of Arkansas found that one factor may be…

Public Safety Investments That Benefit Business Operations Cost On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, the Cape Girardeau Fire Department announced the lowering of the city’s PPC rating from a 4/4X to a 3/3X. This recognition of improvement in our fire safety and response capability is related to the work for our city organization to invest in…

Business Policy HR Practices & Recreational Marijuana On Friday, February 3, 2023, the State of Missouri officially joined 20 other US States and the District of Columbia as Recreational Marijuana sales began throughout the state. For businesses with employees this may mean a need to review your policies, procedures, and HR practices to ensure your…

New Trends in Retail and Live Digital Shopping The retail shopping landscape is a constantly changing and evolving practice. Looking back through the trends of the last century that included catalog shopping pioneered by leaders like Sears Roebuck & Co, Montgomery Ward’s, and Eastbay, to the shift to retail centers and malls of the seventies…

Transportation and Workforce Investments A proposed $860 Million dollar investment to expand I-70 was the main headline following Governor Parson’s State of the State Address last Wednesday. This will certainly be a critical long-term investment to help transportation in the State of Missouri, but another proposal from the Governor is a key topic of need…

Are You Falling for Performance Punishment? Staffing shortages, steady and growing business activity and the need to do more with less. This is a common topic of discussion among business owners and manager. As you do you best to manage expectations and get the most out of your team, watch out for the management pitfall…

Technology Advancement in AI and the Impact on Business Business has always been impacted and many times enhanced with the advance of technology. As digital technology advances continue at a rapid pace, new innovations in areas like Artificial Intelligence or AI can mean new opportunities and even threats to business as usual. Growing up as…

New Year’s Resolutions for Business 2022 is a wrap and 2023 is ready to begin. Looking forward to the new year ahead now is a wonderful time for business owners and leaders to think about New Year’s Resolutions. New Years resolutions is a common tradition for individuals to set goals as they start anew with…

Jobs & Workforce Update The November jobs reports shows a year over year decrease in unemployment including a slight increase Total employment for the Cape Girardeau MSA. On the surface those numbers look good but a look at the total Civilian Labor Force tells a more important story. In the November Jobs Report issued by the Missouri…

Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities Apprenticeships are proven to be beneficial for both employers and workers. As workforce challenges continue to face our region, it is critical that we explore opportunities like apprenticeships to help solve those challenges. The Missouri Chamber Foundation is launching the Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities, or WORC, grant initiative and…