Economy Archives

Expert: Sharp decrease in state unemployment claims expected

April 23, 2020 1:40 PM Amber Tabeling

The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations reported Thursday that statewide unemployment claims were down by nearly half from the week before.

COVID-19 costs local wedding industry thousands

April 22, 2020 6:31 PM Sydney Olsen

This time of year the number of weddings is typically ramping up, but as a result of COVID-19 the industry has taken a huge hit. The impacts have been felt locally as well.

Burgers’ Smokehouse suspends production after more employees test positive for COVID-19

April 22, 2020 11:39 AM Joe McLean

Burgers’ Smokehouse in California announced on Wednesday that it suspended operations until next week after more employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Loan program for small businesses receives huge response

April 15, 2020 6:21 PM Sydney Olsen

The Microenterprise Recovery Loan Program in Columbia opened at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, and closed shortly before noon when the city received as many applications as they had funding for.

IRS launches new online tool to check on stimulus payments

April 15, 2020 11:32 AM Amber Tabeling

The InternalThe Internal Revenue Service launched Wednesday an online tool called “Get My Payment” for Americans to check on the status of their economic impact payment. Revenue Service launched an online tool called “Get My Payment” for people to check on the status of their Economic Impact Payment Wednesday morning.

COVID-19 impacts Columbia tourism, nightlife

April 14, 2020 6:59 PM Zach Boetto

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting tourism and the economy in Columbia as a stay-at-home order remains in effect, according to local tourism officials.

Chamber of Commerce polling Jefferson City area businesses on COVID-19 impact

April 13, 2020 12:56 PM Joe McLean

The Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce is working to gauge how local businesses are shouldering the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent stay-at-home orders.

Economic impact payments: Who is eligible and how are they distributed?

April 13, 2020 5:31 PM Brittany Wiley

A quick guide to coronavirus economic stimulus payouts to individuals.

Boone County auditor signals early warning about sales tax projections

April 10, 2020 3:27 PM Amber Tabeling

A Boone County official is sounding an early warning to prepare for a possible sharp loss in revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic.

University of Missouri looking at ways to cut costs amid COVID-19 pandemic

April 9, 2020 7:35 PM Zach Boetto

The University of Missouri is looking for ways to cut costs to account for state financial cuts amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Spike in firearm background checks doesn’t surprise local gun shop owner

April 7, 2020 7:22 PM Zach Boetto

The number of firearm background checks in Missouri is higher than it has been in years, according to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS.

City working to figure out impacts of COVID-19 on Columbia Regional Airport

April 7, 2020 6:43 PM Sydney Olsen

City of Columbia spokesman Steve Sapp said COVID-19 has had an impact on traffic and revenue at Columbia Regional Airport.

Local company reacts to suspension on building permits

March 31, 2020 6:41 PM Sydney Olsen

One local construction is reacting after the City of Columbia suspended new commercial and residential building permits until Special Order 2020-03 expires on April 24.

Trucking industry getting assistance from all corners amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

March 28, 2020 7:55 PM Zach Boetto

Governor Parson and the Missouri Department of Transportation are offering special permits and extended hours to truckers responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The volume of goods that are being transported, particularly to grocery stores right now is unfathomable, its 2-3 times the Christmas rush, Black Friday type volume,” said Tom Crawford, President and CEO of

Jefferson City hospitals capable of holding over 200 patients

March 25, 2020 9:31 PM Zach Boetto

Numbers from the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services show the two major Jefferson City health care providers have a total of 268 licensed beds.

Rural communities in Boone County impacted by COVID-19

March 25, 2020 8:34 PM Ben Fein

Areas in Boone such as Centralia face unique problems in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak. The city is abiding by the county’s stay at home order, and mayor Chris Cox says he’s seen restaurants take the biggest hit so far.

Local restaurants react to lift on restricting sale of unprepared food

March 23, 2020 7:01 PM Sydney Olsen

Governor Parson signed executive order 20-05 on Monday, allowing restaurants to sell unprepared food.

Columbia Chamber of Commerce works to help small businesses affected by COVID-19

March 19, 2020 6:55 PM Sydney Olsen

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce has worked to take steps to help get assistance for small businesses feeling the impacts of COVID-19.

Columbia restaurants work to stay open amid COVID-19 concerns

March 17, 2020 8:59 PM Zach Boetto

Gov. Mike Parson announced the first cases of COVID-19 in Boone and Cole Counties on Tuesday afternoon, but local downtown Columbia restaurants are still doing what they can to stay open.

Cafe Berlin closed its dining room Monday in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Columbia restaurants deal with slump, prepare in case of shutdown

March 16, 2020 5:47 PM Molly Stawinoga

If Missouri follows the lead of states shutting down restaurants and bars in response to COVID-19, many workers fear they will be without a job.