KC landscape business grows with help from the Missouri APEX Accelerator

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – When Chris Henry wanted to grow his lawn care business, RC Landscape Services, to pursue government jobs in the Kansas City area, he turned to the Missouri APEX Accelerator, a program of University of Missouri Extension.

Procurement Conference 2021

Do you do business with the local, state, or federal government? Or would you like to add the government as a customer?Join us for a one-day conference to network with government agencies and small business support programs to reach your business goals.

Federal contracting trends and impacts in Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri ranks eighth in federal contracting dollars as a share of total state gross domestic product. Missouri-based firms received $15.1 billion in prime federal contracts and almost $3 billion in subcontract awards in the federal fiscal year 2019. These contracts represented 5.4% of Missouri’s $332 billion 2019 GDP.

Business Development Program celebrates performance of staff, teams

MISSOURI – On Jan. 27, 2021, the University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program (BDP) recognized members for their performance and accomplishments during the organization’s first virtual professional development conference. The annual celebration awards individuals and teams for performance in the most recent fiscal year.

University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program celebrates performance of statewide staff and teams

/**/ Columbia, MO – On Wednesday, January 29, 2020 members of the University of Missouri Extension - Business Development Program (BDP) were recognized for their performance and accomplishments.

H&H Bridge — Joplin, MO

Rhonda Hill, owner of H&H Bridge, had never had an interest in construction. However, when her son, Harley, bought a drilling company right out of high school, her support brought them both right in the middle of opportunities for a new career.

Better by Design — Brookfield, MO

A chance encounter in 2009 with a Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) presentation inspired Lois Rodriguez to start her own business. In 2006, her family planted a tree farm, their main market being street tree development in Kansas City. The recession of 2008 squandered her family’s ability to sell the plants, and they suddenly had a huge debt to pay.

Palmerton and Parrish — Springfield, MO

Business owners and developers often overlook the importance of geotechnical engineering. That’s why, in 1989, Fred Palmerton and Brad Parrish broke ground on their own engineering firm, Palmerton & Parrish, Inc. in St. Louis, MO. The business now focuses on subsurface investigation, construction material testing, and of course, geotechnical engineering.

ABNA Engineering, Inc. — St Louis

After leaving successful careers with the Illinois Department of Transportation in 1994, Abe and Nicole Adewale found themselves in St. Louis. With their shared values of trust, family, diversity, passion, and leadership, they decided to start their own construction and engineering firm. Taking the initials from their names, they established ABNA Engineering.

Laclede Chain Manufacturing Co, LLC — Fenton, MO

In early 2019, the oldest chain manufacturer in the United States found itself under new leadership. Jim Riley purchased Laclede Chain Manufacturing Company from his father, ready to lead the family business into a new decade of growth.

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and communities receive Missouri PTAC assistance

Every few years, Missouri gets enough rain to cause extensive flooding from the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. In the spring of 2019, precipitation caused flooding to easily pass federal flooding thresholds, and large amounts of damage to occur. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA)- Natural Resources Conservation Service has a program available to fix eligible damages to property.

Foxhole Technology — Springfield, MO

After serving in the army for 27 years, Wes Hester wasn’t ready to stop serving his community upon retirement. In 2007, Hester decided to start his own IT Technology engineering firm, Foxhole Technology.

Recon Supply — St. Charles

In 2012, graduate students Stephen and Kathryn Clark took a risk in leaving their jobs to pursue opening their own business, Recon Supply. A veteran himself, Stephen wanted to help current and former military individuals by distributing medical devices like joint and spinal implants.

On Target Solutions, Inc. – Belton, MO

Many business owners agree that government contracting is very different from the other markets that small businesses pursue. Even individuals who have experience with different aspects of contracting find that becoming a federal contractor can be daunting and confusing. 

Robinson’s Cleaners – Columbia, MO

Many entrepreneurs find that government contracting is an excellent way to ensure that their small business grows. But for Kit Price, co-owner of Robinson’s Cleaners in Columbia, Missouri, government contracting goes beyond expanding her company. To her, it has been part of the family business since Robinson’s Cleaners opened over sixty years ago.

Midway Development Co., Inc. — Columbia

Midway Development Co. might be located in the middle of the country and middle of the state but there’s nothing middling about its work.

PSRI Technologies, LLC – Jefferson City & Chesterfield

PSRI Technologies, can I help you?”“Good morning, PSRI Technologies.”

Veterans Worldwide Sales and Services, LLC — Gravois Mills

Q & A with Jaymie Mitchell, contract administrator, Veterans Worldwide Sales & Services, LLC, a full-service, service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) general contractor, engineering, landscaping and HVAC firm.

Innovet Electric – Affton

Honesty. Integrity. Service.

Production Products Manufacturing & Sales Co. — St. Louis

(This story originally ran in 2013)