Economy

Climate Change Prompts Renewed Interest In Native Missouri Grapes

Adam Allington — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:31:00 +0000

If you are a fan of wine, particularly European wines, from France, Italy or Germany, you can be proud of the role Missouri plays in creating that wine.

Ever since the mid-1800s roots from Missouri grapes have been grafted on to European varieties, because of their natural resistance to certain pests.

Broadening The Discussion: Is Raising The Minimum Wage A Good Idea?

Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards and Don Marsh — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:04:50 +0000

Hundreds of thousands of American workers are paid the minimum wage. It’s $7.25 nationally and $7.35 in St. Louis. While the perception may be that minimum and low wage jobs are mostly held by teens, the vast majority, 75 percent, are adults over the age of 20.

Recent local news reports have highlighted protests by minimum wage earners. They are demanding that their pay be nearly doubled. The campaign is called “St. Louis Can’t Survive on $7.35.”

St. Louis Regional Chamber Initiative Hopes To Translate Degrees Into Dollars

Mary Edwards, Alex Heuer and Don Marsh — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:48:19 +0000

The St. Louis Regional Chamber is launching a collaborative initiative to increase the percentage of the area’s workforce which has a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Honoring The Legacy Of Martin Luther King, Jr. One Street At A Time

Alex Heuer, Mary Edwards and Don Marsh — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:32:14 +0000

A few years ago a St. Louis non-profit organization, Beloved Streets of America, conducted a study about streets throughout the country which bear the name of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The study found the majority of MLK streets are unsafe and crime-ridden. Many are “located in distressed neighborhoods, considered areas where predominately poor blacks live, and viewed as places where whites and non-blacks seldom travel,” according to the organization.

East-West Gateway Seeks Public Feedback On Economic Development At MetroLink Stations

Tim Lloyd — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 20:32:10 +0000

This evening the East-West Gateway Council of Governments will host the beginning of a series of community meetings to gather feedback on plans to spur development near MetroLink Stops.

Britt Palmberg is with the consulting group that put a study on the issue, which focused on five stations.

He says the hope is to develop a framework that local stakeholders can use to kick start economic development.