Blog

HOLLOWAY AMERICA – SPRINGFIELD As we enter 2023, we’re taking a look at Success Stories from the last few years. Below is an example of training assistance offered by Missouri One Start. Missouri One Start’s customized training assistance helped Holloway America upskill their hardworking employees. With approximately 80% of its customer-base within the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, COVID-19 increased demand dramatically. As a result, the company faced a need for new skills and new ways of serving customers. When the pandemic caused a massive influx of orders, restrictions on in-person visits caused customers to request 3D modeling on each and every order. This created a productivity bottleneck since only a few of Holloway’s engineers knew how to use the software. To fix the issue, training resources were used to provide virtual, live-led classes to all eight engineers on Inventor software. This enabled the engineering team to clear the bottleneck, and allowed Holloway to fill orders on massive tank and pressure vessel projects from Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and others, making November 2020 a record-breaking month for the company. The company allocated training funds to departments that needed it most, as well as to individuals that wanted to learn more and improve their personal contribution to the company. The training assistance impacted numerous departments including Engineering, Fabrication, Welding, CNC, Machining, Quality Assurance, and Safety. Find out what it’s like inside Holloway America in this behind the scenes video. About Missouri One Start: Missouri One Start is a Division within the Department of Economic Development. Training programs are administered regionally by local education agencies (LEAs). In addition to meeting certain eligibility criteria, companies must be making a capital investment five times greater than the amount of training funds they receive. « Essex Industries Success StoryFeatured in Business Facilities Magazine »

ESSEX INDUSTRIES’ CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT JOURNEY WITH ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE In 1947 in St. Louis, two brothers, Harold and Sydney Guller, founded a company in their father’s basement. In the last seventy-three years this company, Essex Industries, has grown to six facilities located in St. Louis, Missouri, Milford, Connecticut, and Huntington Beach, California, encompassing 250,000 square feet of manufacturing space and over 450 employees. And what has driven this incredible growth? A laser-like focus on continuous improvement.  It was this focus that led them to partner with the Workforce Solutions Group of St. Louis Community College. Seth Voelker, Continuous Improvement Manager at Essex, described what led Essex to contact the college. “I remembered George Friesen, a Lean Performance Consultant with the college, from work he did eight years previously with me for another company.  Also, I did a web search for organizations that could provide training for our machinists and came to St. Louis Community College through this search.” Voelker continued, “I knew about George and his passion for continuous improvement and his knowledge of Lean. My hope and expectation was that, as an outsider, George would be a person they could trust. One of our lead machinists, Earl Livermore, who was quiet during much of the training really took hold of what George was discussing and emerged as a leader in driving continuous improvement in the Quick Changeover process used by machinists. It became obvious that Earl appreciated the work George was doing in sparking quality conversations and instilling more passion in the machinist group in upgrading their thought processes toward quality and organization.” Then COVID-19 forced a quick pivot from on-site to Zoom-based remote training and coaching.  The four training sessions that had been conducted on-site greatly facilitated this.  The change was also aided by many hours of video that had been shot of the Quick Changeover process prior to the pandemic. Commenting on the forced move to remote training, Voelker added, “It was pretty clear that George had a very well-organized process to put it together. It turned out better than we ever expected.” Improving the Quick Changeover Process involved moving as many steps as possible in the process from internal tasks to external while a part was being run. Parts needed during changeover had to be staged for quick access. Robust visual controls had to be used to ensure the smooth flow of work with as few pauses in the process as possible.  Finally, a standardized work checklist had to be developed to ensure that the same process would be consistently used by machinists. The improvements in the changeover process were made to achieve these goals: Extract as much struggle as possible from the process, Make the process as fail-safe as possible. They were achieved. Commenting on the training and coaching provided by the college, Corey Waldman, Value Stream Analyst, added, “Now we have a core group of people who are good at setup. And the positive resolve and engagement among the machinist group was probably the biggest win.” Reflecting on the quantitative impact of the college’s training, Waldman said, “We know the amount of time reduced on setup is very significant; to the tune of at least 300 hours on an annual basis” Voelker observed that “Our machinists now see themselves as more than just operators. They see themselves as masters of their production processes with the ability to drive continuous improvement.” Waldman continued, “Because of the training St. Louis Community College provided for us, our team would definitely be ready to have George return to do more training.  I know there’d be more engagement from the beginning.” It is well known that St. Louis Community College is committed to providing high quality educational services for its students. The college is equally committed to serving adults, many of whom are former students, working for companies in its region Learn more about Essex Industries About Missouri One Start:< Missouri One Start is a Division within the Department of Economic Development. Training programs are administered regionally by local education agencies (LEAs). In addition to meeting certain eligibility criteria, companies must be making a capital investment five times greater than the amount of training funds they receive. « SRC Electrical Success StoryHolloway America Success Story »

SRC ELECTRICAL, LLC CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT JOURNEY WITH OZARKS TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE The increasingly automated and advanced technical nature of manufacturing can appear to leave human guidance and interaction out of the equation. Fortunately, savvy leaders recognize the importance of leadership, people skills, and communication as key factors in a company’s overall performance. SRC Electrical’s Human Resources Director, Erin Malone, realized that employee retention was becoming more and more challenging. With the confluence of the COVID 19 pandemic and a constrained community labor market, she could see that new strategies were in order. As a longtime participant in the Missouri One Start Customized Training Program, Malone fully recognized the importance of upskilling the SRC workforce. After conducting an employee satisfaction survey, she discovered a growing concern surrounding front-line leadership: a lack of cohesive supervisory skills. To address the issue, Malone took the survey information to their Missouri One Start Local Education Agency, the OTC Center for Workforce Development (OTC-CWD). Together, they developed a comprehensive Leadership Development program for Supervisors and Team Leaders. The new program was designed to address the unique issues facing the company, and included leadership essentials, improving communication with others, managing conflict, along with developing and coaching others. Fifteen participants, Supervisors or Team Leaders for both production and warehouse departments, participated in half-day sessions held over a 10-week period. Comprised of a mix of both tenured and newly-promoted team leads, the program was designed to provide participants with energy, new ideas, and a better understanding of how to lead and motivate their employees. One of the teachings mentioned by the attendees was the Can/Can’t Will/Won’t Matrix. Leaders were told to view their staff over the following week and determine how they fit into the matrix. Once the leaders knew where their associates lay on the matrix, they reported better understanding in working and creating an environment where people are motived to succeed. Immediately following the 10-week Leadership Development program, positive results were seen. Malone reported that all fifteen participants provided the same feedback – that the training was fantastic and that they learned a lot about themselves, others, and the best ways to communicate. Malone noted that SRC Electrical has participated in Missouri One Start’s Customized Training Program for more than ten years. She has the following to say regarding their partnership with OTC-CWD and the training opportunities provided by Missouri One Start’s assistance: “The partnership with OTC-CWD and SRC Electrical has never been better. We are so fortunate to work with a group of people who are passionate about training and developing the workforce. OTC-CWD listens to our company needs and has proven time and time again to be a solution provider. I highly recommend that companies apply to take part in Missouri One Start’s program. Training and developing your workforce are key to retention. This program gives companies the ability to pair the right training to your unique business challenges.” Learn more about SRC Electrical, LLC About Missouri One Start: Missouri One Start is a Division within the Department of Economic Development. Training programs are administered regionally by local education agencies (LEAs). In addition to meeting certain eligibility criteria, companies must be making a capital investment five times greater than the amount of training funds they receive. « Innovation Hubs: Where Innovation LivesEssex Industries Success Story »

MISSOURI: LEADING THE CHARGE IN INNOVATION As featured in BUSINESS FACILITIES MAGAZINE – September / October 2021 Companies want to be where innovation is happening. In Missouri, several innovation communities are located throughout the state, providing the collaborative, forward-thinking spirit that small businesses and large corporations thrive on. Missouri is actively investing in high-tech industries, including geospatial analysis, cybersecurity, agtech and health solutions. As these industries continue to grow, Missouri is positioned to provide companies in these fields with a prime location to work in cutting-edge business innovation centers. Missouri’s innovation centers cater to more than just small startups. From major corporations looking to increase their presence in a high-quality market, to medium-sized businesses needing a community of fellow movers and shakers, Missouri ensures all companies are surrounded by the best and brightest. The Missouri Technology Corporation (MTC) is the state’s public-private organization that invests directly in tech and bioscience focused startups to accelerate private capital to fuel growth. MTC’s vision is to transform Missouri through the power of entrepreneurship by serving as a catalyst for technology-based innovation. MTC has invested nearly $44 million into more than 135 early-stage Missouri-based high growth technology-focused companies, which have raised more than $1 billion in additional private capital. There’s no shortage of innovation centers in the St. Louis region—home of the highest concentration of plant science PhDs in the world. 39 North is the newest innovation district to sprout up in the area. It’s 600 acres and is designed to foster innovation and opportunities for plant science research and the commercialization of products. 39 North is anchored by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, BRDG Park, the Helix Incubator, Bayer Crop Science and the Yield Lab. The Cortex Innovation Community is the Midwest’s premier innovation hub. The 200-acre district supports bioscience and technology research. It’s surrounded by nationally-ranked universities and medical centers, and is home to the Center for Emerging Technologies (CET), the largest and oldest innovation center in the state.   T-REX is a coworking space and technology incubator providing entrepreneurs with business support. It’s home to more than 200 companies and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency’s first non-classified innovation center. On the other side of the state in the Kansas City region, the UMKC Innovation Center supports entrepreneurs focusing on technology commercialization. It provides counseling, education and access to resources. Digital Sandbox–KC brings ideas to life by providing expert feedback and project funding of up to $20,000 to help accelerate innovations toward commercialization; and Startland is a community-building nonprofit activating a thriving and inclusive culture of innovation in Kansas City through stories, experiences and talent. Innovation is happening in dozens of Missouri communities—not just the state’s largest metros. No matter where companies are located in the state, they’re going to find the supportive environment they’re looking for. Through the state’s network of innovation hubs, innovators are bringing their ideas to market and creating new opportunities around the globe. Here are some examples: Cape Girardeau: The Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is located on Southeast Missouri State University’s campus. It provides entrepreneurship education and opportunities. Columbia: The Missouri Innovation Center offers life science and tech startups with resources through its Mid-Mo Tech Incubator, business mentoring and lab space. Joplin: The Joseph Newman Innovation Center provides affordable office space and assistance for entrepreneurs across various industries. Kirksville: Missouri Rural Enterprise and Innovation Center works with entrepreneurs across a broad range of industries to encourage new and established entrepreneurs in the region through its training programs and business incubator. Maryville: The Dean L. Hubbard Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a mixed-use business and technology incubator located on Northwest Missouri State University’s campus. Rolla: Missouri Enterprise works with innovative Missouri manufacturers and provides a range of business, technical and manufacturing optimization services. Missouri University of Science and Technology is one of just 11 universities in the Midwest to join a new National Science Foundation network designed to move more discoveries from the research labs to the real world. Springfield: Jordan Valley Innovation Center is a 75,000-square-foot facility that fosters engineering, biomedical and life science research and development in a collaborative environment operated by Missouri State University. St. Joseph: Christopher S. “Kit” Bond Science and Technology Incubator is located at Missouri Western State University—making it conducive to fostering animal health and nutrition industries. It’s part of Innovation Stockyard, a one-stop business incubator for those who want to start or grow any business, and it specializes in animal health. Missouri provides an ecosystem that supports companies within various industries through these innovation communities across the state. And leaders in Missouri recognize that companies need top talent to succeed, so the state is putting an emphasis on developing its workforce for current and future employers. For example, Missouri joined the Workforce Innovation Network, a diverse cohort of 10 states, to incubate ideas, share knowledge and scale innovations to better connect job seekers to work, education and training. Missouri’s commitment to developing a strong workforce and providing talented individuals with the opportunity to work in cohesive, industry-leading facilities across the state is driving innovation and businesses in Missouri into the future.   « Quality of Life: Working Where It’s Great to LiveSRC Electrical Success Story »

QUALITY OF LIFE: WORKING WHERE IT’S GREAT TO LIVE As featured in BUSINESS FACILITIES MAGAZINE – MAY / JUNE 2021   The coronavirus pandemic has forced everyone to rethink just about everything we do. It also has accelerated tectonic shifts in our cultural landscape, mostly for the better. We’re not going to use the word “woke”—which has become a political pejorative—but it does seem like most of us have abruptly woken up in the middle of a nightmare with the same epiphanies. Before this plague invaded the United States, our wealth, talent and opportunities were mostly clustered in our urban metropolises. As the pandemic (hopefully) withers, the national shortage of skilled workers has been revealed like the bed of a dry lake in a drought. With EDOs across the nation leading the way, we are embracing a commitment to a diaspora of opportunity: diverse, inclusive and equity-driven, which is the only way to build a sustainable workforce that keeps the U.S. numero uno in global competitiveness. Millennials were already migrating to smaller places before this crisis; as we’ve said many times on our pages this year, they’re looking for affordable places with a superior quality of life that enables a better work/life balance (emphasis on the forward slash) with a 24/7 live/work/play environment. Getting locked in a remote location for a year (our houses) proves we can all do this. Turn the page and discover a future that has a lot of fresh air and fun. MISSOURI: MORE THAN EXPECTED As the workforce evolves and professionals have new expectations for their work-life balance, certain states are leaping ahead of others in their quest to attract and retain top talent and companies. Missouri is one of the leading states. Its natural beauty, rich culture and affordability are just a few of the many reasons businesses and talent find unmatched success in the state. Missouri was recently listed among the top growth states in the U.S. in a U-Haul study that analyzed data for U.S. migration trends in 2020. The state is a leading destination for people searching for a central location that offers all four seasons, a vast array of landscapes and communities, and plenty of fun and adventure at an extremely low cost. In Missouri, the combination of multiple landscapes and outdoor recreation offer the opportunity to unplug and unwind. Diverse offerings include rivers, lakes and even caves. The state’s 91 state parks and historic sites span nearly 160,000 acres combined. People in Missouri enjoy activities like fishing, camping, hiking, biking, golfing, hunting, boating, swimming, kayaking and canoeing. The Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri boasts 1,150 miles of shoreline—more than the entire coast of California. Missouri’s 240-mile Katy Trail bisects the entire state and spotlights charming communities along the way. After a hard day’s work of building the future of innovation at leading companies in the state, people in Missouri can open their front door and kick back and relax at the lake, float the extensivenetwork of rivers or take a leisurely walk on a beautiful trail. Great art, legendary music and world-class theater take center stage across the state. The acclaimed Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the St. Louis Art Museum highlight artwork from around the world.   The state offers an eclectic mix of music, as well as museums and events, that showcase Missouri’s contributions to jazz, blues, ragtime, bluegrass, rock and roll, country and more. Branson has been dubbed the “Live Music Capital of the World” and offers Broadway-style shows that attract millions of visitors every year. People in Missouri can catch a show at the opulent Fabulous Fox Theatre or The Muny, the country’s largest and oldest outdoor musical theater. The stunning Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts presents an array of music and dance performances. And Missouri hosts several annual film festivals. Missouri is home to numerous world-class universities and learning centers—providing residents with the highest level of education. For those seeking a four-year degree, there’s no shortage of prestigious universities to choose from. Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri University of Science & Technology (S&T), University of Missouri, Truman State University and many others offer various degrees and provide Missourians with unlimited access to top programs in the U.S. Employers in the state find the best talentin Missouri thanks to support from the state’s new strategic approach to workforce development. In fact, Missouri ranks second in the U.S. for completed apprenticeships according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Labor. Nature isn’t the only thing you can connect with in Missouri. The state is dedicated to increasing broadband connectivity among its residents. Over the last two years, connectivity has increased by 7,000 households, businesses and farms with state investment and another 95,000 households underway with federal investments, allowing more students to participate in remote learning, and giving more adults the ability to engage in remote work. The state is currently working with the FCC on their Emergency Broadband Benefit program, which provides a stipend for citizens who cannot afford internet service. When Missourians step away from school and work, they’re greeted by award-winning theme parks, aquariums and zoos that are perfect for visitors of all ages. Thrill seekers can find plenty of roller coasters, zip lines, parasailing and other action-packed activities. Silver Dollar City and the Aquarium at the Boardwalk in Branson, Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station in St. Louis and Worlds of Fun in Kansas City are just a few of the family-focused attractions people enjoy in the Show-Me State. No trip to St. Louis is complete without a visit to the Gateway Arch—now a national park. Zoos in Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield are sure to appeal to animal lovers. From world-famous barbecue to fine dining, there’s no shortage of ways to satisfy appetites. Great barbecue can be found throughout Missouri. Kansas City even has a barbecue app to help folks sample their way …

MISSOURI ONE START: 815,000 WORKERS AND COUNTING As featured in BUSINESS FACILITIES MAGAZINE – MAY / JUNE 2021 Missouri One Start, the state’s work­force recruitment, training and upskilling division, continues to gain in popularity among companies looking to build or maintain their workforce. A well-established program, it has trained more than 815,000 workers and assisted over 7,000 companies to date. In spite of the disruptions of the COVID-19 pan­demic, it trained 47,000 employees across 234 companies in 2020. One Start’s programs are highly flexi­ble and are designed to work in lock-step with eligible companies to address their unique workforce challenges. Companies within the program can choose to utilize training funds via One Start’s network of community colleges and tech schools, or they can utilize industry or in-house experts, either at their facility or via an industry-recognized training facility. One Start’s program ensures businesses have employee training and upskilling to remain competitive, reduce turnover and excel in the marketplace. Recruitment services were understandably popular in 2020 and have only become more popular in 2021. Originally developed as an extension of the program’s dynamic online portal to recruit COVID-19 healthcare workers, and the job board for essential businesses that followed, One Start’s white-glove recruitment is now one of the program’s most requested offerings. Since the spring of 2020, they’ve been providing services similar to an ad agency. One Start develops a custom microsite branded to each company’s unique look, voice and color palette, with a unique URL. It then promotes the job openings with paid social media, marketing to potential employees within a radius of the business’ location. A link to the microsite puts interested workers within one click of the job information and one additional click from applying. For large corporations, with multi-location job listings that require sorting and filtering, this two-click path knocks down barriers that might otherwise frustrate applicants or prevent them from applying. Graphics, copy, media plan and an analytics report are provided free of charge to eligible companies in One Start’s program. The fact that Missouri takes workforce development seriously can be seen in the expansions of One Start’s partner community colleges and tech schools’ centers of excellence across the state. Ozarks Technical Community College broke ground in November 2020 on their Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Springfield. The college’s 120,000-square-foot Robert W. Plaster Center for Advanced Manufacturing will be dedicated to serving as the regional hub for all advanced manufacturing and technology-related education and training. In Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College is renovating their Advanced Skills Institute to house workforce training programs in computer-integrated machining, industrial technology and construction management, among others. Renovation of the 101,108-square-foot building is underway and completion is expected near the end of 2021. And State Fair Community College broke ground on the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center in Sedalia in December 2020. The 38,500-square-foot facility will more than double the pipeline of students pursuing high-demand careers such as robotics and logistics, and provide for leadership/supervisory training and apprenticeships. A $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Missouri Department of Economic Development in a partnership with the city of Sedalia, was part of the Workforce Training Initiative. College officials hope to open the center in spring 2022. To help unemployed Missourians upskill, the state’s Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development offered free access to 3,800 Coursera courses, giving Missourians a pathway to earn professional certificates from companies like IBM and Google, preparing them for entry-level careers in IT. Signaling the state’s commitment to tech training, it continues to offer complimentary CompTIA training to applicants that meet the program’s requirements. Rounding out the talent pipeline is Apprenticeship Missouri; ranked #2 in the nation for completed apprenticeships. In September 2020, The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry worked in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to launch Missouri Apprentice Connect. This partnership provides a free portal to match Missourians with opportunities, as well as matching businesses with the apprenticeship program. Since launch, the Missouri Chamber Foundation was awarded a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to create nearly 5,300 tech industry apprenticeships. About Missouri One Start: Missouri One Start is a Division within the Department of Economic Development. Training programs are administered regionally by local education agencies (LEAs). In addition to meeting certain eligibility criteria, companies must be making a capital investment five times greater than the amount of training funds they receive. « Casey’sQuality of Life: Working Where It’s Great to Live »

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES OPENS NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN MISSOURI NEWS PROVIDED BY – MISSOURI PARTNERSHIP  Missouri is a new investment destination for companies that need a prime location for their distribution centers. The state has seen a tremendous amount of success in logistics and distribution, welcoming more than $200 million in new capital investment in just the past few months. That number climbed even higher today as the state welcomed Casey’s General Stores’ newest facility to Joplin, Missouri. “Casey’s has had a long-standing presence in Missouri and provided opportunities to thousands of Missourians across the state,” Governor Mike Parson said. “We appreciate Casey’s continued commitment and look forward to its future growth and success.” The new, state-of-the-art warehouse will serve 400 to 600 of the company’s stores. Casey’s operates more than 2,200 convenience stores in the U.S “Every day at Casey’s, we are providing guests freshly prepared foods and the products they need and want,” said Darren Rebelez, President and Chief Executive Officer at Casey’s. “Our Joplin distribution team will play a key role in delivering on this promise. We appreciate the support from the state of Missouri and city of Joplin as we worked to make this project a reality. Casey’s Joplin Distribution Center is key to our plan for accelerated store growth over the next two years.” Casey’s is investing $62 million in the new facility, and company executives expect to hire around 125 employees. “We welcome Casey’s distribution center to Joplin,” said Mayor Ryan Stanley. “We are excited and pleased with their decision to expand their operations here in southwest Missouri. Casey’s is a well-known brand and respected by their customers throughout the Midwest. Their center is a great fit for our industrial park, and we appreciate all of our partners for their work to bring this project to Joplin. It is a boost for our local economy by providing quality jobs and opportunities for our community.” The City of Joplin, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Department of Economic Development, Liberty Utilities, Missouri American Water, Missouri Partnership, MOKAN Regional Partnership and Spire all worked to bring Casey’s newest facility to Missouri. “Here in Missouri, we couldn’t do what we do without the support of our partner organizations across the state,” Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership said. “I always say that economic development and business attraction is a team sport, and that rings especially true with this project. I would like to thank all of our partners for their hard work in attracting Casey’s General Stores to Missouri.” The new facility is the company’s third distribution center. Missouri has seen a tremendous amount of success in logistics and distribution, welcoming companies such as e-commerce giant Chewy, Inc., BoxyCharm, Melaleuca, Inc., Optimas Solutions, and Kenco Logistics Services, Inc. in recent months. About Missouri One Start: Missouri One Start is a Division within the Department of Economic Development. Training programs are administered regionally by local education agencies (LEAs). In addition to meeting certain eligibility criteria, companies must be making a capital investment five times greater than the amount of training funds they receive. « Clemco IndustriesMissouri One Start: 815,000 Workers and Counting »

CLEMCO INDUSTRIES Training Partner: East Central College  Clemco Industries, located in Washington, MO, has participated in the Missouri One Start Training Program for more than 10 years. Clemco has an unmatched understanding of air-powered abrasive blasting applications ranging from surface preparation to shot peening. This knowledge enables them to design, manufacture, deliver and support blasting solutions and corresponding personal protective equipment that are the best fit for their customers’ jobs – resulting in the best ease-of-use, safety, and total cost of ownership in the industry. As part of their continuous improvement program in 2020, Clemco held a five-day Lean Training event to improve the hydro testing process for their industrial pot line. The training resulted in an annual reduction in inventory work in process by $23,000 and improved production capacity to support additional annual sales in excess of $1,000,000. Clemco was also able to reduce product lead time from 15 days to 5 days, and reduce production reporting from three steps to one. These improvements created an on-time delivery increase from 65% to 85%. According to the company, the assistance received from Missouri One Start in conjunction with Local Education Agency, East Central College, is extremely important to continued growth and improvement. Training such as the “Lean” event enables the company to maintain their position as a leading industry manufacturer. About Missouri One Start: Missouri One Start is a Division within the Department of Economic Development. Training programs are administered regionally by local education agencies (LEAs). In addition to meeting certain eligibility criteria, companies must be making a capital investment five times greater than the amount of training funds they receive. « Dynatek Labs, Inc.Casey’s »

DYNATEK LABS Training Partner: OTC- Center for Workforce Development  In partnership with Missouri One Start, Ozarks Technical Community College’s Center for Workforce Development (OTC-CWD) and Dynatek labs collaborated to address some of the biggest training needs for six of their employees. The result was a comprehensive Basic Electrical training class taught by engineer and OTC-CWD Industry Expert, Bob Sherman. Bob has over 30 years of experience in HVAC and Electrical Engineering and teaches complex systems in a way that is easily understandable. His approach once again proved successful to the six trainees by increasing their understanding of electrical fundamentals, circuits and wiring. Providing performance-driven training is paramount to successful relationships and continued partnerships through the use of Missouri One Start assistance. “The basic electrical training allowed staff to gain a better understanding of the electrical components in the machines we build here at Dynatek,” said Wendy Graves, on-site Missouri One Start training contact and Administrative Assistant at Dynatek. “OTC-CWD has always been a pleasure to work with,” Graves said. “They take the time to understand the needs here at Dynatek and are able to advise us on the best training options available. Very professional and the trainings are top-notch.” About Missouri One Start: Missouri One Start is a Division within the Department of Economic Development. Training programs are administered regionally by local education agencies (LEAs). In addition to meeting certain eligibility criteria, companies must be making a capital investment five times greater than the amount of training funds they receive. « Missouri Approved for SBA Disaster Loan Program – COVID-19Clemco Industries »

March 21, 2020 Jefferson City  Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration approved Missouri’s request for assistance through the federal agency’s disaster loan program. This move makes low interest disaster loans available to small businesses and private non-profits severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for each affected small business or non-profit. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Process for Accessing SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending The Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA today makes loans available statewide to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Applicants will be able to apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155. SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process. Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75 percent for small businesses. The interest rate for private non-profit organizations is 2.75 percent. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship. The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 21, 2020. For additional information, please visit the SBA disaster assistance website at SBA.gov/Disaster. About Missouri One Start: Missouri One Start is a Division within the Department of Economic Development. Training programs are administered regionally by local education agencies (LEAs). In addition to meeting certain eligibility criteria, companies must be making a capital investment five times greater than the amount of training funds they receive. « Governor Parson Works With U.S. SBA To Activate Disaster Loans For Small BusinessesDynatek Labs, Inc. »