Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Columbia’s city council gives green light to I-70 and Highway 63 beautification project

October 17, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

A Columbia trash truck prepares to collect trash across the city (2022 file photo courtesy of Columbia Water and Light’s Matt Nestor)

Columbia’s city council has approved a two-page resolution expressing its support for the city contributing about $1.5 million to the I-70 and Highway 63 interchange beautification project, once the project is finished.

The council approved the resolution at Monday night’s meeting.

The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has unveiled a $140-million preferred alternative for I-70 and Highway 63, which would include two key flyovers. MoDOT will contribute some money for beautification, but money from the city is needed. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce has made beautification of that interchange a top priority. MoDOT says about 160,000 vehicles go through the interchange daily, making it mid-Missouri’s busiest interchange. There have been complaints for years about trash and litter in that area. Columbia’s city council packet says the $1.5 million would be taken from the city’s investment income capital project account.

The council also voted last night to approve an ordinance to purchase 36,000 roll carts for residential curbside customers. The council voted Monday evening to approve the ordinance that appropriates $995,000 from the city’s solid waste vehicle equipment replacement fund to purchase the roll carts for residential curbside customers.

Columbia’s city council voted unanimously in March to approve the roll cart trash collection system, which will begin on March 4, 2024.

I-70 and 63 beautification, roll carts and Grace lane traffic on tonight’s Columbia council agenda

October 16, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia’s city council is expected to vote tonight on a bill involving roll carts and on a resolution involving beautification of the I-70 and Highway 63 intersection.

The council is scheduled to vote on a two-page ordinance that would appropriate $995,000 from the city’s solid waste vehicle equipment replacement fund to purchase about 36,000 roll carts for residential curbside customers. Columbia’s city council voted unanimously in March to approve a roll cart trash collection system, which will begin on March 4, 2024.

The council is also set to vote tonight on a two-page resolution expressing support for Columbia contributing about $1.5 million to the I-70 and Highway 63 interchange beautification project, once the project is finished. The state Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has unveiled a $140-million preferred alternative for I-70 and Highway 63, which would include two key flyovers.

MoDOT’s preferred alternative for Columbia’s I-70 and Highway 63 interchange contains two flyovers (November 2, 2022 file photo from 939 the Eagle’s Brian Hauswirth)

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce and others have made beautification of that interchange a top priority. MoDOT says about 160,000 vehicles go through the interchange daily, making it mid-Missouri’s busiest interchange. Residents and motorists have complained for years about trash and litter in that area. Columbia’s city council packet says the $1.5 million would be taken from the city’s investment income capital project account.

The council will also hear testimony tonight from resident Jack Donelon of the Lake of the Woods Homeowners Association on Grace lane, which is south of the I-70 and Lake of the Woods interchange. Mr. Donelon will be discussing traffic due to development on Richland road.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 7 at city hall.

(LISTEN): Missouri lawmakers, business leaders optimistic about bipartisan child care legislation

October 5, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

A veteran Missouri lawmaker who sponsored bipartisan child care tax credit legislation this year will pre-file the bill again on December 1.

State Rep. Brenda Shields’ (R-St. Joseph) bill died on the 2023 session’s final day in May due to a Senate filibuster on unrelated issues. Representative Shields tells 939 the Eagle that while the filibuster hurt, she had to wait three weeks to file the bill until the governor proposed the package in mid-January. Her 2024 bill will ready on January 3, which is when state lawmakers return to Jefferson City.

“I’ll talk with the (Missouri House) Speaker (Dean Plocher of Des Peres) to make sure that he assigns it to committee early. If we can get a head start on this and get this bill over to the Senate before spring break, I think we have really great hope to get it passed,” Representative Shields says.

Shields spoke Wednesday at a panel in Columbia co-hosted by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the University of Missouri and the Columbia and Jefferson City Area Chambers of Commerce.

State Rep. Kurtis Gregory (R-Marshall) speaks on the Missouri House floor in Jefferson City on February 28, 2023 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communicatons)

The Missouri Chamber says the Show-Me State has a child care crisis that is costing Missouri more than $1-billion annually. Republicans and Democrats in Jefferson City say child care is one of the most important issues facing residents statewide, and they’re optimistic they can push bipartisan legislation across the finish line in 2024. The bipartisan bill from Shields this spring was also sponsored by State Sen. Lauren Arthur (D-Kansas City). Representative Shields, who serves on the House Budget Committee, tells 939 the Eagle that she and Senator Arthur are passionate about child care.

“We know that that early development and the care of children is how we get people to work. People are afraid to leave their children if they don’t know that it’s quality, if it’s not reliable and if it’s not affordable,” says Shields.

There were also a number of other state lawmakers at the forum, including State Reps. Cheri Toalson Reisch (R-Hallsville), Willard Haley (R-Eldon) and Kurtis Gregory (R-Marshall).

Missouri has a child care crisis, top business group warns

October 4, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The state’s most powerful business organization says the Show-Me State has a child care crisis that is costing Missouri more than $1-billion annually.

Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Dan Mehan says improving access to child care will be one of the organization’s top priorities in 2024. The Chamber is co-hosting a forum on the issue this morning at Columbia’s Center for Family Policy and Research on Rock Quarry road. The event, which begins at 10:30 am, is being co-hosted by the University of Missouri and the Columbia and Jefferson City Area Chambers of Commerce.

The Chamber is frustrated that bipartisan child care tax credit legislation proposed by Governor Mike Parson (R) died during the 2023 session’s final day, due to a Senate filibuster on unrelated issues. The House sponsor of that bill, State Rep. Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph) will be one of the panelists this morning. She serves on the Missouri House Budget Committee. State Sen,. Lauren Arthur (D-Kansas City) was the Senate sponsor, and intends to file the bill again.

The Chamber isn’t mincing words about the issue, saying there’s a child care crisis in Missouri. Missouri Chamber president Mehan says some residents are having to make the choice between taking care of their kids and returning to work. The Chamber says a recent report shows 28 percent of respondents say they or someone in their household left a job or didn’t take a job due to problems with child care.

Columbia’s first higher education institution celebrating 190 years today

August 24, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The nation’s second-oldest women’s college is celebrating its 190^th birthday today, and you’re invited to their party this afternoon.

Columbia’s historic Stephens College is celebrating today, and the city will be presenting an official proclamation designating today as Stephens College day. Stephens was the first higher education institution in Columbia.

Today’s party is from 4:30 to 5:30 at Wood hall. Columbia’s Chamber of Commerce will hold a 5:05 ribbon-cutting, and the cake will be cut at 5:10.

Longtime Stephens president Dianne Lynch describes Stephens as resilient and optimistic, faithful to her traditions and eager to embrace the future. Lynch is getting ready to start her 15th year as president.

She told 939 the Eagle’s “CEO Roundtable” recently that there are currently 500 veterans on a waiting list to get a service animal. She says Stephens is seriously looking at a program to train service animals.