University of Missouri 2

Mizzou and MACC funding continue to be top priorities for Columbia business leaders

January 20, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

A drone view of Mizzou’s Jesse Hall in Columbia (2022 file photo courtesy of Mizzou spokesman Uriah Orland)

Missouri’s governor is proposing a $71-million increase in core funding to Missouri’s public higher education institutions, like the University of Missouri. It’s the largest increase in 25 years, according to Governor Mike Parson (R).

Funding for Mizzou and Moberly Area Community College (MACC) is a top priority for Columbia Chamber of Commerce president Matt McCormick.

“You know we’re an education town and the University of Missouri is our land-grant and is our flagship university here. And they do so much in education but also so much through the (MU) Extension. We saw the work that Marshall Stewart did and his team at Extension has done for our local community,” McCormick says.

McCormick notes MACC is also state-funded.

“Their largest campus is right here, (their) largest student-populated campus is right here in Columbia. And how can we make sure to support MACC so they can continue to develop that workforce of the future. They’ve got great programs like early college with Columbia Public Schools (CPS) and how those work together,” says McCormick.

The governor is also proposing $275-million in “transformational” capital improvement projects at Missouri’s public higher education institutions.

Mizzou’s power plant in Columbia celebrating 100th anniversary

January 4, 2023 By Brian Hauswirth

The MU Combined Cooling Heat and Power Plant (CCHP) is located on Columbia’s East Stewart road (2023 photo courtesy of Uriah Orland of the MU News Bureau)

University of Missouri officials are beginning a celebration today of the 100^th anniversary of Mizzou’s Combined Cooling Heat and Power Plant (CCHP).

The university is holding a media event at 10 this morning at the plant, which is located on East Stewart road.

Mizzou says the plant provides steam, electricity, drinking water, chilled water and utility distribution to more than 16-million gross square feet of campus buildings. The electricity is produced in steam and natural gas turbine generators and is then distributed through powerlines in underground duct banks for enhanced reliability and campus aesthetics.

Mizzou describes the CCHP as a strong partner in its sustainability efforts. Mizzou also says up to 40 percent of the energy they use each year comes from renewable sources that include biomass, wind power and solar.

UPDATE: Mizzou has had water damage at seven residence halls and several athletic facilities

December 30, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Crews from Columbia’s ServiceMaster and Neville and Sons remain on the Mizzou campus on this Friday, cleaning up water damage from the Christmas holiday weekend.

UM System spokesman Christian Basi says water pipes that burst during the Christmas weekend’s subfreezing temperatures have caused damage at seven residence halls and at one academic and research building.

Basi says there’s also damage at several Mizzou athletic facilities: Mizzou Arena, Memorial Stadium and at the football training center across Providence from Faurot Field. Basi says the heaviest damage is to Memorial Stadium’s tower, adding that the damage at Mizzou Arena is minor involving an exterior wall.

Mr. Basi tells 939 the Eagle that damage estimates are still being calculated. No injuries have been reported.

Treece, Buffaloe see bright future with new COU terminal

November 17, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Missouri Governor Mike Parson (right) visits with former Columbia Mayor Brian Treece and others at the October 18, 2022 ribbon-cutting for COU’s $23-million new terminal (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

A former Columbia mayor describes Columbia Regional Airport’s (COU) $23-million new terminal as a six-year project that culminated with the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony and first flight.

Former Mayor Brian Treece is proud of this project.

“It’s really due to no small part to the partnership between local, state and federal government, our two U.S. Senators, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) but also MoDOT (Missouri Department of Transportation) and the taxpayers of Columbia,” Mr. Treece says.

Treece tells 939 the Eagle that his first vote in April 2016 was one asking voters to increase a hotel tax for economic development. Columbia voters approved that 2016 hotel tax, and it’s the new terminal’s main funding source. He says the new terminal is better than you can imagine. Treece notes the new terminal is 52,000 square feet, compared to the 16,000 square foot terminal that was built in 1968.

“And it really dramatizes how tired our current and now former (COU) terminal is. And what a great front porch this is going to make for the University of Missouri, for people that are visiting Columbia for the first time to see family or friends or visit a doctor. Or to maybe locate a new business here or send their daughter or son to college here,” says Treece.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson predicts the new terminal will help make Columbia a top medical destination. Current Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe agrees. She describes COU’s new terminal as eye-opening.

“So we have the opportunity here already with our regional medical destination but also we have the research that’s now happening with the University of Missouri Health Care System to bring people in from other states, other cities to come here. So we do have that potential,” Treece says.

COU will use the old terminal to house car rental counters until the project’s second phase is finished.

About two dozen Columbia employers represented at Thursday’s job fair

September 22, 2022 By Brian Hauswirth

Mid-Missourians have a chance Thursday afternoon to meet with numerous employers and do on-site interviews.

Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI), the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and other groups are sponsoring today’s job fair from 1-4 at Columbia’s Armory, near the Boone County Courthouse.

Job seekers should bring copies of their resume and be prepared to be interviewed. REDI’s Bernie Andrews tells 939 the Eagle that 22 area employers will be on-hand, including the city of Columbia, the University of Missouri and manufacturers like Swift Prepared Foods, Quaker Oats and Kraft Heinz.

Boone County Joint Communications and Columbia’s Holiday Inn Executive Center are also looking for employees.