Business | West Plains Daily Quill

Eight employees at Arlee Home Fashions in West Plains recently completed U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship programs through Missouri State University-West Plains. From left are Arlee apprenticeship graduates William Brashers of West Plains, Jason Brege of Pottersville, Rick Williams of Elk Creek, Brenda Carmen of Thayer, Jonie Brege of Dora, and Greg Williams and Amy Eades of West Plains; Garland Barton, coordinator of corporate education and business engagement at MSU-WP; and Arlee apprenticeship graduate Nicole Beltz of Willow Springs.

Jasper, Arlee employees complete registered apprenticeship program at MSU-WP

Several employees at Jasper Engines and Transmissions in Willow Springs and Arlee Home Fashions in West Plains recently completed U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship programs at Missouri State University-West Plains, the area sponsor for DOL registered apprenticeship programs. more

1/16/24

Ozarks Healthcare, area businesses team up for breast cancer screenings in January

In an ongoing commitment to community health, say officials, Ozarks Healthcare’s Mobile Mammography Unit will continue partnering with area businesses to travel and offer mammogram services to surrounding communities through January. more

1/10/24

Willow Springs Chamber announces awards banquet date and theme

The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce announces its annual Awards Banquet, themed “Boots and Bling,” will be held Feb. 3 at Pine Meadows Venue, 1449 Highway 76 in Willow Springs. more

1/10/24

Fidelity parent company donates 10K pounds of food to support food banks

Associates across the Cable One family of brands, which includes Fidelity Communications, donated more than 10,000 pounds of food to local food banks over the holiday season to help alleviate food insecurity across the communities served by the leading broadband provider. more

1/9/24

Rambling Rose Garden Club names 2023 Business Beautification winner

1/9/24

Jasper Holdings ranked on NCEO’s 2023 Employee Ownership 100 list

The National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), a nonprofit research and membership organization with a goal of supporting the employee-owned businesses since 1981, has announced that Jasper Holdings was ranked the 33rd largest majority employee-owned company on its 2023 Employee Ownership 100 list. more

1/3/24

November jobs report published by state

Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment increased by 5,900 jobs in November, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point, report officials with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development Economic Research and Information Center, which provided all of the data presented here in its Monthly Jobs Report. more

1/2/24

OzSBI to hold LaunchU starting in February

Would-be entrepreneurs dreaming of starting a new business of their own and current business owners looking for ways to be more successful are invited to sign up for a nine-week hands-on course offered by Ozarks Small Business Incubator. more

1/2/24

Chris and Christopher Smith, owners of CCS Hauling in Alton, recently received a $35,000 microloan through the Ozarks Small Business Incubator to purchase equipment and expand their business. CCS Hauling hauls “anything that fits in their truck” including rock, sawdust, topsoil and dirt, said incubator officials. For more information about the business, call 417-270-0655. OzSBI’s Microloan Fund offers microloans of up to $50,000 to qualifying businesses in Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Shannon, Texas and Wright counties and within the city limits of Mammoth Spring, Ark. The stated goal of the program is to stimulate the local economy by providing startup and expansion loans to new and existing businesses. Microloans may be used as direct loans, seed capital, or “gap” financing combined with other lending, officials explained, noting the application process is similar to a traditional bank loan application and the main qualifiers for consideration are good credit and a sound financial plan. For more information about the Ozark Small Business Incubator microloan program, visit www.ozsbi.com or call 417-256-9724.

OzSBI helps fund expansion of Alton business

1/2/24

Stace Holland, TCMH chief executive officer, awarded Faith Wallace, 2023 TCMH Customer Service Employee of the Year.

Texas County Memorial Hospital recognizes employees

Texas County Memorial Hospital gave out top employee awards and honored 38 employees with service awards at the 41st annual Celebration of TCMH Employees on Dec. 8 at the Jayson Gentry Community Safe Room at TCMH. more

12/27/23

Area businesses will get the kick start they need at Early-Stage Business Boot Camp

For the past year, Missouri State University’s efactory has offered the Early-Stage Business Boot Camp in Springfield. more

12/23/23

KC's Sports Bistro, 409 Washington Ave., celebrated its first year in business with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by restaurant staff and members of the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce. The business is open 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, serving wings, burgers, wraps and sandwiches, beer and mixed drinks. A salad bar is offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m daily. Call 417-204-4370, or visit the Facebook page, “KC’s Sports Bistro.” Front row, from left: chamber ambassadors Justin Jones and Inam Saba, server Kate Wood, Front of House Manager Tracy Ledgerwood, Nathan Callahan, restaurant owner Keith Collins, General Manager Langley Collins, servers Lizzie Turnbull and Brianna Speake, kitchen staff Alex Farrens, server Deacon Stewart and chamber ambassador Stephanie Beltz-Price.

KC's Sports Bistro celebrates 1 year in business

12/20/23

Presenting a certificate to Mandy Harrison, front row, left, and Jacob Bell, front row, center, in honor of over 10 years of service given by their late father, Mark Bell, to the West View Board of Directors is Board Chair Vicki Hogan. Back row, from left: board members Joe Rothgeb, Randy Pace, Becky Wernsing, Dixie Williams, Jack Doss, Jack Spencer, Lyndell Beard and Glenn Miller.

West Vue honors former board members

At its annual Christmas party held recently, West Vue honored two of its former board members, Newt Brill and Mark Bell, both of whom died this year. more

12/20/23

Tammy Gintz, quality abstractor in Ozarks Healthcare’s Quality Department, was recognized for 40 years of service at Ozarks Healthcare.

Ozarks Healthcare celebrates 1,270 combined years of service at annual Longevity Banquet

Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains recently celebrated a significant milestone at its recent annual Longevity Banquet, honoring 132 dedicated employees for their combined total of 1,270 years of service to the healthcare organization. more

12/12/23

Lead, Engage, and Develop (L.E.A.D.) West Plains Program Coordinator Brandy Stutsman gave a presentation about the newly available L.E.A.D. program at Thursday's monthly Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The sessions are to be held over 12 weeks beginning Feb. 29, 2024, and are intended to provide participants with leadership skills and the motivation to successfully engage with the community for the betterment of its economic and civic health.

WP Chamber introduces new leadership program

A new 12-week program for business and community program employees and members, aimed at honing leadership skills and community engagement, is set to begin soon in West Plains. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 12/11/23

State issues October Jobs Report

Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment increased by 5,600 jobs in October, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by two-tenths of a percentage point, report officials with the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development Economic Research and Information Center, which provided all of the data presented here in its Monthly Jobs Report. more

12/7/23

Local retailers sell more than $240,000 in winning Lottery tickets

During the month of October, Missouri Lottery offices paid out more than $9 million in prizes of $1,000 or more. more

12/7/23

Tips for busting holiday budget blues

The holiday season is a good time to talk about family budgets and plan for next year, says Andrew Zumwalt, chair of the University of Missouri’s Personal Financial Planning program. more

By Linda Geist, Writer, University of Missouri Extension | 12/7/23

The West Plains Physical Therapy Specialist Clinic recently donated $500 to the West Plains Christmas Assistance Program, a Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Alliance project administered by Ozark Action, Inc. The deadline for applications for assistance through the program passed on Monday, and donor forms were due Thursday. From left, Jean Lambel with the clinic, Kay Mead with Ozark Action and Ronnie Warre and Chris Green, both with the clinic.

Physical Therapy Specialists Clinic donates to Christmas Assistance Program

12/6/23

Jo Coffee Company, 905 Preacher Roe. Boulevard in West Plains, will kick off its 12 Days of Christmas special event on Monday. Through Dec. 23, the drive-thru coffee shop and small-bite eatery will emphasize a different movie theme daily with a prize and special to go along with it, and special drinks will be available only during those 12 days. While, in the spirit of Christmas surprises, the details of those drinks are being kept under wraps until the time comes, the coffee company has announced a new seasonal menu with drinks evocatively named for seasonal elements: Dream by the Fire, Cider Bliss, Evermore, Snow Angel and Creme Brûlée. Details about those drinks and other updates can be found at the “Jo Coffee Company’” page on Facebook. Business hours are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Jo Coffee celebrates 12 Days of Christmas

12/5/23