AGP Executive Report

Power Planning: Columbia is looking 20 years ahead as the cost of securing 45 megawatts of electricity capacity has risen about 300%. Ameren Missouri’s plan to add gas plants and keep Labadie coal units operating until 2042 has also drawn protests. Energy Research: The University of Missouri Research Reactor was selected to help test materials for the international ITER fusion project, putting its specialized capabilities to work on future energy technology. Agricultural Manufacturing: Boonville-based Agri Spray Drones is moving from distribution into U.S. manufacturing, with its next spray-drone platform already in production. Fuel Costs: Gov. Mike Kehoe expanded a temporary order allowing dyed diesel on state highways for all vehicles through 2026, easing a cost burden for farmers and trucking companies. Business Growth: Missouri recorded 101,393 new business applications in 2025, up 19.2% from 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau data cited by the Cape Chamber.

Transportation Costs: Gov. Mike Kehoe expanded Missouri’s dyed-diesel order, allowing all vehicles to use the tax-free fuel on state highways for any purpose through 2026, with state penalties suspended. Agriculture: Gallatin’s Earth Touch now grows more than 500 acres of ancient einkorn wheat and sells its processed grain nationwide. MU also opened four agriculture research facilities to support farmers. Business and Manufacturing: Jefferson City’s Yard Bar Outdoors opened a culinary boutique showcasing its durable outdoor cabinets and grilling products. A manufacturer is expanding its Fulton facility with a $19 million investment. Energy and Infrastructure: Quanta unit Blattner began work on a $1.5 billion Missouri solar project, while Ameresco landed a $42 million contract to modernize Columbia’s electric and water meters.

Agribusiness: Gallatin-based Earth Touch has grown from a family search for gluten-friendly wheat into a 500-acre black einkorn operation, processing and shipping grain products nationwide. Farm Support: USDA is issuing about $1.8 billion in conservation payments to farmers and landowners, while Gov. Mike Kehoe’s temporary order allows dyed diesel on Missouri roads through 2026. Agricultural Research: Mizzou opened four research facilities aimed at helping farmers, and a new meat science lab bears the name of a former Missouri governor. Clean Energy: Quanta unit Blattner has started work on a $1.5 billion solar project in Missouri. Workforce and Services: Missouri employers in professional, scientific and technical services filed 1,171 H-1B petitions in 2025.

Agriculture Investment: Mizzou opened four new research and training facilities focused on seed, livestock reproduction, meat science and wine, aiming to help Missouri producers tackle industry challenges. Fuel Relief: Gov. Mike Kehoe extended an order allowing dyed diesel on public roads through 2026, easing fuel costs for farmers and truckers. Energy Projects: Quanta’s Blattner unit has started work on a $1.5 billion Missouri solar project, while Ameresco landed a $42 million state utility contract. Business Expansion: EquipmentShare broke ground on an expansion of its Columbia headquarters. Farm Support: USDA is issuing about $1.8 billion in conservation payments to farmers and landowners nationwide, including participants in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program.

Agriculture: Mizzou opened four research facilities focused on seed, livestock reproduction, wine and meat science as farmers face tight margins and weather challenges. Gov. Mike Kehoe also temporarily allowed dyed diesel on Missouri highways for all vehicles through Dec. 31, offering relief as fuel costs rise. Business Climate: The Missouri Chamber opposes Amendment 6, warning it could make voter-approved laws harder for lawmakers to change. Investment: Columbia-based EquipmentShare broke ground on a headquarters expansion, while Ameresco won a $42 million contract to modernize Columbia’s electric and water meters. A manufacturer is investing $19 million in a Fulton facility expansion. Farm Tourism: Hartsburg’s pumpkin festival expects more than 40,000 visitors, though hot, dry weather left its pumpkin supplier short of its usual crop.

Utility Investment: Ameresco won a $42 million contract to modernize Columbia’s electric and water metering systems, while EquipmentShare broke ground on a headquarters expansion in Columbia. A global manufacturer is also expanding its Fulton facility in a $19 million project. Transportation: Veterans Memorial Parkway at Wright City reopened four days early as part of MoDOT’s $600 million I-70 upgrade. The state also awarded $4.3 million for resurfacing in Adair, Knox, Linn and Sullivan counties. Construction Safety: Missouri has logged more than 10,000 underground utility damage reports in recent years, and the number is rising. One in four nationwide damage reports in 2024 involved someone failing to call 811 before digging. Workforce and Agriculture: A Moberly youth apprenticeship program is giving students hands-on automotive and collision-repair training. Meanwhile, record-high autumn fuel prices are squeezing farmers and truckers, as expanded access to tax-free dyed diesel offers some relief.

Infrastructure: MoDOT awarded $4.3 million for resurfacing in four northeast Missouri counties, alongside a separate Route J seal-coat contract. Work also continues on the $600 million I-70 expansion between Warrenton and Wentzville. Utilities & Energy: Ameresco won a $42 million contract to modernize Columbia’s electric and water metering systems. Clearway has begun construction of a 650-megawatt Missouri solar project as utilities face rising power demand. Business Growth: EquipmentShare broke ground on a Columbia headquarters expansion, while a global manufacturer started a $19 million expansion in Fulton. Missouri S&T is also developing mining technology proving grounds, as the state weighs a proposed critical-minerals investment credit. Agriculture: Extreme drought persists across parts of the Ozarks, adding pressure on farms already contending with high fuel costs.

Utility Investment: Columbia selected Ameresco for a $42 million upgrade replacing nearly 107,000 electric and water meters, with a new network and software aimed at improving service and efficiency. Manufacturing: Simpson Strong-Tie has started a $19 million Fulton expansion that will consolidate operations in a 100,000-square-foot facility and add 24 jobs; completion is expected in fall 2027. Energy: Clearway has begun construction of a 650-megawatt Missouri solar project on former strip-mine land. Farm Costs: Record diesel prices are squeezing producers during harvest. A temporary federal waiver allowing dyed diesel on highways may offer some relief, though its practical effect remains uncertain. Logistics: Opus says its 1.6-million-square-foot Missouri logistics center is fully leased, signaling strong demand for large-scale industrial space. Data Centers: A hearing is set for Oct. 22 on a bid to pause construction of Nebius’ planned Independence data center, amid local concerns over development and its effects on the community.

Transportation: MoDOT will take public comment Oct. 21 on plans for a year-long eastbound I-64 closure in St. Louis starting in 2027. I-70 and U.S. 40 lane closures for bridge and drainage work are scheduled in Kansas City Oct. 8-9. Energy Investment: Clearway has started construction on a 650-megawatt Missouri solar project, planned for former strip-mine land. Manufacturing: Simpson Strong-Tie is building a new Fulton facility with an investment exceeding $19 million, consolidating and expanding its Missouri operations. A regional report also found Mid-America manufacturing activity growing. Agriculture: Missouri’s temporary dyed-diesel road-use waiver and increased weight limits aim to ease harvest transportation costs as diesel prices surge. Wet harvest conditions are also causing sprouting corn and stained soybeans in parts of Missouri, raising crop-quality concerns. Environmental Oversight: Missouri regulators traced a blood-and-water discharge into a Polk County creek to a leak at Best Beef Missouri; the plant said vandalism caused the missing sewer cap.

Energy Investment: Clearway has begun construction on its $1.5 billion, 650-MW Swan solar project in Bates County, its first in Missouri. The project is expected to create up to 500 construction jobs and generate more than $80 million for the county under a 30-year tax agreement. Broadband: Lumos completed its purchase of ALLO Fiber’s Joplin network, with customer service set to transition near the end of 2026. Agriculture Costs: High diesel prices are squeezing Missouri farmers during harvest; temporary federal relief allowing dyed diesel on public roads offers some help. Workforce: Ameren Missouri awarded Lincoln University $100,000 for scholarships, internships and career-readiness programs, including in engineering, energy and agriculture. Transportation: MoDOT plans an 11-month closure of I-70 in Kansas City next year to add a lane and repair 23 bridges, a major coming disruption for commuters and freight.

Fuel Prices Watch: Diesel prices stayed volatile across Missouri, with GasBuddy reporting the lowest Clark County diesel at $6.29/gal (week ending Sept. 26) and Missouri’s diesel average at $6.30/gal. Transportation & Construction: MoDOT is lining up major I-70 and Route 13 work—starting Oct. 12, crews will close the westbound I-64 exit ramp to eastbound I-70 for 30 days near the I-70/64/US 61 interchange, and a Springfield public meeting is set for Oct. 20 on widening Route 13 between Grand St. and Sunshine St. Regional Infrastructure: Kansas City drivers should brace for a near-year I-70 closure beginning in January between Prospect Ave. and Van Brunt Blvd as MoDOT adds a fourth eastbound lane and rebuilds bridges. Public Safety Facilities: Chesterfield was selected for the Gateway Regional Law Enforcement Training Center, a planned $50 million facility funded by a 2024 Missouri Legislature grant, with a late-spring 2027 groundbreak targeted. Agriculture & Logistics Policy: A new federal move would temporarily allow red-dyed diesel on highways nationwide through Dec. 31, aiming to cut costs for farmers and truckers. Business & Industry: XPO opened new service centers, including one in Cameron, Missouri, expanding its network to 300 sites.

Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports the cheapest premium gas in Monroe County at $4.49/gal (week ending Sept. 26), while Missouri’s premium average rose to $4.89/gal; Cape Girardeau County’s regular hit $3.99/gal and Phelps County’s regular bottomed at $4.09/gal. Local Aging Services: The Korth Senior Center in Stockton is seeking lease changes with Care Connection to expand weekend use, fundraise more flexibly, and explore a first-in-Missouri VA telehealth station. Energy & Agriculture Policy: Gov. Mike Kehoe’s executive order offers temporary dyed-diesel and weight-cap relief for Missouri farmers through Oct. 30, aiming to ease harvest logistics costs. Transportation: MoDOT ramp closures in Springfield continue for the Forward-44 widening project, with major I-44 closures affecting daily commutes. Cannabis Regulation: DHSS proposes updates to Missouri cannabis facility ownership and employment rules, including clearer transfer and recall procedures; public comments run Nov. 2–Dec. 2. Data Centers & Farmland: A new push for rural data center tax benefits is colliding with growing farmer resistance to land deals, with Missouri land-rights concerns echoing nationwide.

State & Local Infrastructure: Jefferson City is set to consider up to $35 million in special obligation bonds for a new Madison Street parking garage tied to a downtown conference center and hotel plan. Road & Bridge Updates: MoDOT will hold an Oct. 19 open house on a Holt County Route 118 bridge deck replacement over I-29, with related I-29 approach work planned for the same season; meanwhile, drivers face multiple October closures in the Joplin area and a major I-44 lane shutdown in Springfield. Energy & Utilities: Missouri DNR awarded Laurie a $37,500 grant to assess drinking water system improvements, while LIHEAP is now open for elderly and disabled households to help with heating and cooling costs. Agribusiness: Missouri marked Pork Month, highlighting a $2.2 billion hog industry; the state is also tracking hemorrhagic disease reports across dozens of counties. Business & Industry Moves: Northwest Missouri Aero Group acquired controlling interest in ATD Flight Systems, expanding charter, aircraft management, and pilot training operations across Missouri and beyond. Consumer & Food Safety: PepsiCo recalled 122,000+ cases of certain 28-ounce Gatorade flavors over undeclared Yellow dyes, and frozen berry recalls expanded again due to E. coli concerns.

Cannabis Regulation: Missouri DHSS proposed rule changes that would reshape licensing and ownership rules for medical and comprehensive cannabis facilities, including removing a preapproval step for 50% ownership changes, setting a path for publicly traded ownership, clarifying microbusiness transfers to eligible family members, and tightening recall procedures for products that can’t be traced to Missouri-grown cannabis. Construction & Local Economy: Missouri’s Kehoe announced eight board and task force appointments, including sheriff-related roles tied to meth relief and election oversight. Consumer & Health: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade bottles in 37 states due to missing label declarations for yellow food dyes; no illnesses were reported. Logistics & Industry: Regional freight carrier Flanagan-White Express merged with Zipp Express, integrating Flanagan-White operations into Zipp’s Earth City warehouse complex. Renewables & Rural Impact: A University of Missouri study found wind and solar projects can boost rural county jobs, wages, and GDP, while also noting the need for smart local ordinances to address community concerns. Fraud & Enforcement: A Jackson County jury convicted contractor Daniel Eschliman in an elderly home-construction scam, recommending a 10-year prison sentence. Transportation: MoDOT outlined lane restrictions and bridge/resurfacing work across mid-Missouri, including major I-70 traffic shifts near Warrenton and Wright City.

Cannabis Regulation: Missouri DHSS has proposed rule changes affecting licensing and ownership for cannabis facilities, including clarifying ownership requirements, removing preapproval for 50% ownership changes, setting a framework for publicly traded company ownership, outlining microbusiness transfers to eligible family members, and tightening recall and how prior rule violations can affect participation. Road & Infrastructure: MoDOT traffic impacts continue across mid-Missouri, with lane restrictions in the Kirksville area and scheduled I-70 shifts near Warrenton/Wright City as part of the Improve I-70 program. Local Development: Columbia City Council will consider plans for a new student housing complex (“The Retreat”), plus upgrades to the Rainbow Softball Center and a potential move toward a city/county animal shelter. Food Safety: A Chilean supplier expanded an E. coli recall tied to frozen berries sold by Trader Joe’s and Walmart, prompting shoppers to check lot codes. Public Health/Compliance: DHSS-style vendor oversight is also in the spotlight nationally, after Hawaiʻi settled a multistate Labcorp-related data breach case over HIPAA compliance responsibilities.

Food Safety: The FDA expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to possible E. coli contamination, pulling Great Value organic blueberries and triple berry blends plus Trader Joe’s organic mixed berry blend from stores in Missouri and many other states. Real Estate Regulation: Missouri joined a growing list of states cracking down on “We Buy Houses” wholesalers, requiring written seller notice before closing and pushing more transparency around contract assignment deals. Agriculture Finance: USDA’s Farm Service Agency opened low-interest physical loss loans for producers hit by Midwest disasters, with an April 26 deadline for applications. Energy & Costs: The national gas average fell nearly 7 cents to about $4.41 after a record September, as crude prices eased. Local Business: Jefferson City issued a batch of new business licenses, including multiple liquor catering and retail permits. Higher Ed & Community: Mizzou’s 115th Homecoming is underway with major campus traditions and a record-setting blood drive. Sports (Missouri): Missouri’s homecoming win over No. 8 Florida (45-17) is driving the week’s biggest local sports buzz.