Finding funding is a hurdle for many small businesses. Officials with the Missouri Small Business Development Center in West Plains and the Ozarks Small Business Incubator will host a free workshop designed to demystify the borrowing process and unlock a world of financial possibilities for both new and existing businesses. more

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, starting Saturday and offered by Ozarks Small Business Incubator. more

Dollar General announces this week its recently remodeled store at 4314 N Highway in Pomona now offers produce in addition to the familiar products customers have become accustomed to purchasing from the company.  more

Leonardo DRS has made a $1,500 donation to The Chaos Closet in West Plain. Allison Garrison, marketing representative from the Charitable Contributions Committee with Leonardo DRS, says the committee accepts nominations from employees for donations or program sponsorships to a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that they are passionate about supporting. Nominations are reviewed and then approved by the Senior Leadership Team for distribution.  more

Missouri’s nonfarm payroll employment increased by 5,600 jobs in December, 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

FNBC Bank has announced the hire of Zack Lashley as community president for its Missouri market, which has offices in West Plains and Mtn. Grove. Lashley brings almost two decades of banking and branch leadership experience, say bank officials. more

The Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards ceremony Thursday at the West Plains Civic Center, a night of socializing and celebrating the achievements of educators, volunteers, businesses, charities and individuals and their efforts in making West Plains a great place to live. more

Ozarks Healthcare recently announced it has opened its newest pharmacy, Ozarks Healthcare Pharmacy Mtn. Grove, at 500 E. 19th St. Suite D. more

Artwork by local artist Janey Hale’s will be featured on the first floor of Ozarks Small Business Incubator, 408 Washington Ave., through the end of March. more

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

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

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

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

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

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

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