May Department Stores of St. Louis is scaling back. May has announced it will close 34 stores, mainly Lord and Taylor stores in the south. The move will cost 3,700 workers their jobs. Executives with the department store chain, which includes Famous-Barr, Filene’s and Hecht’s, says the move will save the company $50-Million a year. The company says it wants to focus on Lord and Taylor’s core markets in the Northeast and Midwest. Stores in the St. Louis Galleria and West County Center in Des Peres will remain open.
Presidential Hopeful Sharpton Joining Protest In St. Louis
July 31, 2003 By
Civil rights activist and Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton of New York is coming to St. Louis to join in a protest designed to disrupte the 10th anniversary celebration of MetroLink. The president of MoKan, the Minority Contractors Association, says black St. Louis residents are upset with the level of minority participation in the building of light-rail. President Eddie Hasan claims minority firms have been awarded only five percent of the work. He would like to see that at 25 percent. About the protest, Hasan proclaims, “We’re crashing the party”.
New Ag Chief Moves Into Post – Officially
July 31, 2003 By
The man who has been serving as Acting Director at the State Department of Agriculture can drop “acting” from his title. Peter Hofherr has been chosen by Governor Bob Holden to replace Lowell Mohler who is leaving the Department to serve on the Conservation Commission. He doesn’t plan any drastic changes. Hofherr says he wants to concentrate on three things: to take advantage of value-added agriculture, to tell the story of agriculture to a society that has fewer ties to the farm, and to create a flexible regulatory environment. Hofherr also expresses great concern for the state budget, saying that shrinking state revenues aren’t adequate to keep up with unfunded federal mandates. Hofherr was the State Agriculture Department’s Deputy Director before becoming Acting Director. He also handled special projects such as representing Governor Holden in discussions between the Midwestern Governor’s Association and the European Union on bio-technology
Health Care Professionals Could Benefit From Poor Economy
July 31, 2003 By
The bad economy might actually be good news for the health care jobs in the state. A new report by a hospital lobbying group says aging baby boomers and fewer health care professionals could spell trouble for the industry in the state. Mary Becker with the Missouri Hospital Association says the state is facing a shrinking workforce as more of the population ages and needs extended health care. And, Becker says if the trend continues more providers might have to cut services simply because there are not enough workers. But, she says the recent downturn in the economy might actually end up helping the shortage situation because more people will turn to the health care industry looking for a stable place to work. Becker says the Association helps hospitals and health care providers recruit more workers by letting students in middle and high schools know which courses they’ll need to focus on to qualify for a job later on.
KC Looking For State Help In Convincing American Airlines To Stay At KCI
July 31, 2003 By
Kansas City officials are keeping up the push to convince American Airlines to keep open its overhaul base at Kansas City International Airport and they’re asking for help from Governor Bob Holden. Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes has traveled to Jefferson City to discuss the issue with the Governor. Kansas City has already offered to put a $200-Million bond package on the table for American Airlines. As for whether that’s good enough to influence American’s decision, Mayor Kay Barnes won’t speculate. The state is kicking in about $600,000 of that total and is being asked for more. Governor Holden says the state wants to do its part to help sweeten he pot. American has indicated it will make a decision this Fall on the carrier’s KCI maintenance base and the 2,300 jobs at that facility. KCI is in competition with American facilities in Texas and Oklahoma.
