Economy

MU researchers find that down times in the economy prompt more people to start their own businesses, particularly in rural areas.

The 2012 Kids Count Data Book shows that Missouri ranked 26th in overall children's well-being in 2010, but there was a significant decline in their economic status.

Nations throughout the euro zone are suffering severe brain drain as their best and brightest young professionals seeks employment outside Europe.

The airline will offer two daily flights to and from Atlanta throughout the week. Service to Memphis will be reduced to six times a week.

The Mid-Missouri Peace Coalition held a peace rally in front of the Boone County Courthouse in order to promote its idea of a "peace economy."

The report focuses on the Quality Jobs program, which provides tax breaks to businesses that add jobs with decent wages and health insurance.

Missouri Republicans respond harshly to hearing the Supreme Court's decision to uphold most of the Affordable Care Act.

"These two positions are almost diametrically opposed to each other," said Sung Won Sohn, a California State University economics professor. "And there's no common ground it seems."

The decline in non-farm payroll jobs followed several months of increases.

The fuel that powered the U.S. from the industrial revolution into the iPhone era is being pushed aside as utilities switch to cleaner and cheaper alternatives.

The decline in teenage employment has been particularly sharp since 2000. Employment for 16- to 19-year-olds has fallen to the lowest level since World War II.

Missouri ranks 43rd nationally in real GDP, but the unemployment rate ranks in the top 10 in recent improvement among states.

Although the national unemployment rate is high, President Barack Obama still has hope for re-election. Seven of the 10 states that will decide the election have employment levels that beat the U.S. average.

U.S. companies are holding out on hiring new employees until there is more certainty about future job markets.

The company plans to relocate its circuit breaker manufacturing lines to Mexico by the end of 2013.

Proponents say an enhanced enterprise zone could bring manufacturing jobs to Columbia. However, a 2010 state audit found that promises of jobs and investment related to Missouri's EEZ program were inaccurate and often overstated.

Some citizens are concerned that 12-year-old demographic data might paint an inaccurate portrait of Columbia and Boone County. The city's population has grown about 30 percent from 2000 to 2010.

Regional Economic Development Inc. began to look into the possibility of an enhanced enterprise zone in early 2011. It first came before the City Council in January, and the council will consider re-establishing an EEZ board at its meeting on Monday.

Columbia group would seek removal of City Council members who vote to reform enhanced enterprise zone board

Columbia residents worry about property values and eminent domain in neighborhoods designated as blighted. Proponents of an enhanced enterprise zone insist the worries are unfounded and that the city needs to offer incentives to attract manufacturing jobs.