A spate of new development has taken off in downtown Columbia, in particular the construction of several multi-story student housing developments. Amid the current building boom, we take a look at the vision for Columbia's downtown and consider what it might mean to have hundreds of students living in the area. Panelists:
Carrie Gartner, executive director, Downtown Community Improvement District. John Ott, developer and owner of Alley A Realty and several downtown properties, including the Stephens Building at Broadway and Hitt. Debbie Sheals, historic preservation consultant and founding member of the Columbia Historic Preservation Commission An effort to convert much of Columbia to an enhanced enterprise zone is underway, but not everyone is pleased with the idea. At issue is a blight decree that has some concerned. Panelists explain what goes into making an enhanced enterprise zone and discuss what it’ll mean for the city. Bernie Andrews, executive vice president, Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI) Greg Williams, director, University of Missouri Research Parks Tracy Greever Rice, interim director, Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis The Rise of the Creative Class," are playing out across the country. We'll also find out how mid-Missouri fares as a creative place. A emerging theory suggests that clusters of creative talent might be the determining factor between regions whose economies flourish and those that fall behind. We explore how these ideas, brought to the fore by Richard Florida's book "Panelists:
Kelsey Meyer, vice president for Digital Talent Agents. She’s also involved with the League of Innovators, a group that works to connect mid-Missouri entrepreneurs. Chris Stevens, manager of the City of Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs Steven Pedigo, director of research for Creative Class Group, a consulting firm that advises communities on how to attract creative workers. (Joining the program by phone) Gov. Jay Nixon has been promoting his Missouri Works Plan as a driver of job creation in the state. But will it succeed? We discuss the latest government efforts to create jobs in Missouri and consider the prospects of the various proposals as they move forward through the legislature. Panelists: Rep. Stephen Webber, Democrat, 23rd District Rep. Anne Zerr, Republican, 18th District Daniel Mehan, President/CEO, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry (joining by phone) What do you think could be done to create more jobs in the state? Add your comments by clicking here.
Plans for a new terminal at Columbia Regional Airport are already under way. The question now is how to pay for it. Today we discuss the latest proposal for funding an airport expansion, as well as the connection between the airport and economic growth in mid-Missouri. Panelists: Michael Kelly, general manager of the Stoney Creek Inn & Conference Center in Columbia and board member of the Missouri Hotel & Lodging Association Mike Matthes, Columbia city manager For more details about options for an expanded airport terminal, click here to download the full PDF file sumbitted to the City Council from the City's website.
A new Mamtek artificial sweetener factory in Moberly promised a win-win all around: Jobs for mid-Missouri residents, profits for the company, and a bump in tax revenues well into the future. But with construction halted, the city's credit rating severely damaged, and a state legislative inquiry still under way, many questions remain. We examine what happened, how problems like this might be avoided in the future, and how to attract jobs without putting taxpayers unduly at risk. Panelists: Benjamin Herrold, city editor, The Moberly Monitor Index Rudi Keller, reporter, Columbia Daily Tribune Tina Hoffman, marketing and communications director, Iowa Economic Development Authority (joining the program by phone) CORRECTION: During this Intersection discussion, Columbia Daily Tribune reporter Rudi Keller is incorrectly credited with being the first to break the Mamtek story in the spring. The Tribune and other news organizations have been reporting on Mamtek since the deal was announced in mid-2010. Keller's articles about troubles with the Mamtek deal began appearing in September 2011.
Since the Occupy Wall Street protests began in New York more than a month ago, similar groups have sprung up across the country, including downtown Columbia. How did this movement emerge? How has it been sustained? And why do some grassroots movements flourish while others fizzle out? Hosted by KBIA's Ryan Famuliner. Panelists:
Mark Haim, director of Mid-Missouri Peaceworks David Mitchell, associate professor of law at the University of Missouri Spencer Vyrostek, Occupy Como activist Gretchen Arnold, assistant professor of sociology and women's studies at St. Louis University (joining the program by phone) |