AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Local Control: Opposition to data centers is spilling into policy fights over land, power, and water, with Missouri officials and residents pushing back as lawmakers weigh how fast the AI boom should grow. Energy Infrastructure: The Missouri Public Service Commission approved Liberty’s plan for a 250-megawatt gas generation facility at the State Line Power Station in Joplin, citing Southwest Power Pool reliability needs. Fiber Expansion & Deals: Rightfiber plans to grow via fiber buildouts and acquisitions after combining Ritter Communications and Great Plains Communications, aiming to serve 400+ communities across 20 states. Logistics Growth: Saia opened new terminals in Duluth, Minnesota, and Columbia, Missouri, expanding Midwest capacity for shippers. Ag & Value-Added Production: Terrell Creek Farm in Fordland is turning milk into cheese as a value-added strategy to improve margins and reduce labor strain. Cattle & Hog Markets: Cash hogs finished the week sharply lower, while Missouri feeder cattle pricing showed strength and buyers stayed encouraged. Community Planning: St. Charles County is seeking public input on its Envision master plan draft, with growth tied to natural systems and agricultural landscapes. Springfield Economic Incentives: Andy’s Frozen Custard asked Springfield for up to $32 million in bonds to build its headquarters locally. Gas Prices: AAA reports Missouri gas averages falling again ahead of Independence Day, with prices still higher than last year.

Antitrust & Agriculture: USDA canceled a Biden-era seed competition initiative, even as the Trump administration touts a Bayer antitrust deal—raising fresh questions about how aggressively Missouri’s farm inputs will be policed. Courts & Health Care: A federal judge in Missouri awarded $11,550 in fees after ruling defendants lacked a reasonable basis to move a nursing home negligence case to federal court. Local Development: Springfield is kicking off West College Street revitalization with a $99,000 EPA brownfields grant and hiring consultants for a historic building survey. Logistics & Manufacturing: Saia opened new LTL terminals in Duluth, Minnesota, and Columbia, Missouri, expanding Midwest capacity. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy price checks show Missouri regular gas averaging $3.78 for the week ending June 13, with several counties reporting standout low prices. Transportation Infrastructure: MoDOT and local projects continue with bridge and interchange work planned across the region, including public input sought for a Sikeston interchange. Business Leadership: Tyson Foods extended board chair John H. Tyson’s employment agreement through 2029, adding major compensation and security-related travel terms.

AI Infrastructure Backlash Turns Violent: Federal prosecutors say a Missouri man charged in a plot to attack a White House UFC event cited “data centers taking up all the water” among the group’s grievances, underscoring how AI-fueled anger is escalating from zoning fights to threats. Local Business Expansion: Springfield is weighing a $32 million bond to help Andy’s Frozen Custard move its headquarters and add jobs, a boost for the city’s economy and workforce. Transportation & Construction: MoDOT received teams’ qualifications for the next I-70 Improve project (Kingdom City to Warrenton, $583M), while Jefferson City reopened the Bolivar Street bridge over U.S. 50 nearly two months early. Energy & Housing Pressure: O’Fallon may impose a one-year pause on new apartment applications to study traffic and infrastructure, as Missouri communities grapple with growth impacts. Agriculture & Weather: Drought outlooks warn severe conditions in parts of South Dakota and Nebraska may persist through summer, while Missouri cattle markets show steady demand amid shifting feedlot placements.

MoDOT Construction & Infrastructure: MoDOT received Statements of Qualifications for the $583 million Improve I-70: Kingdom City to Warrenton design-build project, with RFPs expected in late June, as the broader I-70 widening plan targets adding three lanes each direction across about 200 miles. Bridge Work: Bolivar Street over U.S. Route 50 in Jefferson City reopened June 18, nearly two months ahead of schedule, finishing a multi-bridge rehabilitation effort. Road Maintenance Calendar: MoDOT laid out Northeast Missouri highway maintenance closures and lane impacts for late June into early July. Ag & Food Supply Chain: EuroChem cut the ribbon on a fertilizer distribution facility at the Hendricks River Logistics terminal, aiming to improve timely access amid ongoing fertilizer price and availability concerns. Energy & Industry: The Trump administration said it will pay $765 million to Invenergy to terminate four offshore wind leases, with funds redirected to natural gas and geothermal projects. Business & Local Government: Scotland County began moving six offices into a new administrative building to relieve courthouse overcrowding. Public Finance Oversight: Missouri State Auditor Fitzpatrick issued a closeout audit of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, citing missing written policies and record-transfer gaps. Aviation Safety: An aviation attorney says NTSB findings will hinge on early reports from the Butler skydiving crash, where witnesses described climb trouble and a sharp turn before impact.

Energy & Utilities: Missouri DNR is seeking a contractor to run two Home Energy Rebates programs (HOMES and HEEHR), funded with more than $151M from the Inflation Reduction Act, with an RFP due July 2. Broadband & Economic Development: Sparklight says it’s investing $16M to expand fiber broadband in central Arkansas, aiming to boost speeds and capacity for residents, businesses, and critical services. Agriculture & Trade: USDA announced a modernization of the Foreign Agricultural Service, including creating an operational support hub in Kansas City and phasing relocation of some staff from Washington, D.C., without reducing force. Legal & Chemicals: A federal judge sent Bayer’s $7.25B Roundup settlement back to Missouri state court, a move that could shape how the deal is approved as plaintiffs appeal. Energy Policy: The Trump administration agreed to pay $765M to buy back four early offshore wind leases, redirecting money toward faster-build natural gas and geothermal projects. Business & Consumer Trends: Panera is bringing back a fan-favorite protein after 10 years and rolling out new salads, bowls, and breakfast items starting June 17. Local Economy Watch: GasBuddy reports show Missouri fuel prices remain volatile, with some counties posting notably low E15/E85 and diesel prices for the week ending June 6.

Bridge & Road Updates: MoDOT says Route NN in Perry County will close for bridge replacement over South Fork Saline Creek starting July 6, with work expected through Dec. 1, weather permitting. Route 179 over Rock Creek in Cole County reopened to all traffic June 17 after a deck replacement, ahead of schedule. Jobs & Labor: Missouri added 3,400 nonfarm jobs in May and kept unemployment steady at 3.8%, with gains in education/health, leisure/hospitality, and trade/transport/utilities. Energy & Utilities: The Missouri PSC urged summer heat preparedness, highlighting steps to cut electricity use and manage bills during peak demand. Water & Environment: DNR awarded Iberia $7.3 million for wastewater upgrades, and selected a global firm to develop a Missouri Critical Minerals Plan. Agriculture: USDA detailed Foreign Agricultural Service and Rural Development relocations as reorganization moves forward; Missouri dairy growth is set with two new operations planned by late 2027. Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports Missouri regular gas averaged $3.86 for the week ending June 6, with multiple county “lowest price” highlights including $3.89 in Knox County and $3.79 in Cooper County. Business Moves: Olin announced plans to merge with Huntsman and relocate HQ to Texas, with closing expected in the first half of 2027. Public Safety: A Supreme Court decision timeline is nearing, while a separate national story covers an alleged UFC attack plot involving suspects across multiple states.

Severe Weather Watch: A strong June storm system could bring intense, long-lived tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds across the Midwest, with Missouri-to-Indiana in the afternoon/early evening focus. Fuel Prices Snapshot: GasBuddy reports show Missouri prices easing in spots for the week ending June 6, including regular as low as $3.49 in Greene County and diesel as low as $4.64 in Livingston County, while E85 remains highly variable (state average $3.19). Business Moves: Tulsa-based Suncrete is buying Little Rock’s ABC Block Co., expanding its ready-mix footprint across the region. Trucking & Jobs: USA Truck launched a two-year apprenticeship aimed at veterans transitioning into professional driving and diesel technician roles. Public Health Oversight: FDA inspections in May found no action indicated for Ballard Industries in Cole County and for two St. Louis firms (MOGO Moringa and Missouri Analytical Laboratories). Water Infrastructure Grant: Missouri DNR awarded Creighton a $50,000 Clean Water Engineering Report Grant to assess its wastewater system.

Data Center Pushback: A wave of local resistance to data centers is showing up in Missouri-area politics, with one community denying a data center moratorium and others weighing water, power, and local-control concerns. Healthcare Costs & Transparency: The Trump administration is warning hundreds of hospitals to post clearer pricing or face penalties, aiming to cut surprise costs for blood work and imaging. Agriculture & Legal Risk: Pesticide makers are lobbying for “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits tied to cancer-risk claims around glyphosate, as a U.S. Supreme Court decision looms. Public Safety & Security: Federal authorities disrupted a planned attack tied to a White House UFC event, with court filings describing drones and crowd-targeting plans; a Missouri man is among those charged. Transportation & Construction: MoDOT is set to start major I-55 work in Jefferson County with lane and ramp closures starting June 19, reshaping Route Z access. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show volatile prices across Missouri, including some of the lowest E85 and diesel deals in multiple counties during the week ending June 6. Cattle Health: Missouri cattle operators are monitoring the New World screwworm spread, with movement restrictions in place but limited market disruption so far. World Cup Impact in KC: Argentina fans are flooding Kansas City ahead of the opener, boosting local stays and street activity. Food Safety: The FDA issued a Class I recall for a pasta sauce/alfredo product distributed to food service sites due to Salmonella contamination. Aviation Safety: A Missouri skydiving crash is renewing scrutiny of maintenance and oversight in the skydiving industry.

Data Centers & Water: Amazon and Missouri officials announced a $10B Montgomery County data center plan, promising grid connection costs be covered by Amazon and citing a utility-rate tariff meant to protect residential customers, while residents elsewhere keep pushing back over water and local control. Local Infrastructure: MoDOT begins pavement sealing on multiple Southwest District routes starting June 22, with one-lane traffic and caution on newly sealed sections; a Sullivan County bridge replacement was delayed from June 29 to Aug. 1 through Nov. 2026. Agriculture & Food Safety: USDA confirmed New World screwworm in Texas and is moving to quarantine and surveillance; the FDA expanded a frozen pizza snack recall to 21 states over possible metal contamination. Public Health Policy: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals to post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2M annually. Work & Welfare: Final Medicaid work requirement rules are out, with states scrambling to update systems. Manufacturing: AB InBev plans $20M+ in St. Louis and Arnold upgrades plus a technical skills training center to expand Michelob production. Safety & Community: Missouri Fire Marshal urged fireworks caution ahead of a busy summer, including America 250 and World Cup events. Sports & Business: Missouri AG Hanaway launched an anti-human trafficking campaign tied to the World Cup, and Kansas City police arrested suspects in a World Cup gear theft case. Aviation Tragedy: A Missouri skydiving plane crash killed 12, including experienced jumpers.

Data Centers & Jobs: Amazon says it will invest $10 billion in a new Montgomery County data center, projecting 400 direct jobs and thousands more during construction, with local leaders touting major long-term tax revenue. Local Governance: Joplin officials are sending staff to a statewide data center summit to better understand utilities and possible regulations as residents weigh impacts from proposed projects. State Politics & Tax Policy: Missouri voters will decide Aug. 4 on Amendment 5, which would gradually eliminate the state’s individual income tax and shift the debate to how sales and local taxes would change. Agriculture: Missouri cattle producers report mixed forage conditions—rains are helping some pastures but can slow hay production and affect quality, while drought-stressed areas worry about being short. Manufacturing & Workforce: AB InBev plans $20M+ in upgrades at its St. Louis and Arnold sites, including a technical skills training center aimed at upskilling most of its manufacturing workforce. Consumer & Public Safety: Missouri AG Hanaway sues Lorex over alleged concealed ties to China’s military via supplier Dahua, raising security concerns for baby monitors and home cameras. Aviation Tragedy: A skydiving plane crash near Butler killed 12, with investigators still working to determine what happened. Food & Retail: The Big Biscuit is expanding its BIG Lunch menu to match office and hybrid lunch demand, while West Marine moves to close 59 stores in a Chapter 11 restructuring.

Aviation Safety: A skydiving plane crash near Butler Memorial Airport killed all 12 aboard—11 skydivers and the pilot—moments after takeoff, with the NTSB now leading the investigation and early focus on possible power/maintenance and safety oversight gaps. Healthcare Costs: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals to post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2 million annually, pushing enforcement of federal price-transparency rules. AI & Data Centers: Lawmakers are floating bills to curb AI data center growth, but most are stalled in Congress as tech firms like Meta and Google lobby against moratoriums and off-grid mandates. Missouri Local Economy/Infrastructure: MoDOT spent $2.6 million removing invasive trees and shrubs ahead of World Cup-related travel, aiming to reduce roadside overgrowth. Agriculture & Education: Southern Boone’s “Dine in the Dirt” learning garden fundraiser highlights hands-on ag education, while Missouri agriculture groups also face ongoing disease and crop pressure. Local Governance: Webster Groves and Kirkwood school districts face budget strain and community fallout, including a public apology over a controversial Facebook post.

Food Safety: FDA upgraded a voluntary recall of Alfredo sauce to Class I after possible salmonella contamination tied to a dry milk ingredient, affecting 913 cases shipped to food service sites across 41 states. Ag & Inputs: Pivot Bio is expanding its Greater St. Louis footprint with two Missouri Centers of Excellence to boost U.S. nitrogen production and help farmers manage volatile input costs heading into planting. Logistics & Jobs: Front Line Safety plans a $1.7M Kansas City distribution facility (113,000 sq. ft.) creating 21 jobs, supported by Missouri Works tax credits. Health Policy: CMS issued final Medicaid work requirement rules, pushing states to update systems and enforce participation for about 18.5M enrollees. Rural Schools: A look at how Missouri’s rural school footprint has expanded and contracted over time, shaped by historic district boundaries. State Budget: Jefferson County lawmakers warned Missouri’s next budget may be tighter as pandemic-era federal relief ends. Transportation: Missouri lawmakers’ EV fee debate resurfaces as a major federal surface transportation bill moves forward.

Pesticide Liability Fight: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits tied to cancer claims from products like glyphosate/Roundup, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims—an issue that could reshape accountability for agricultural chemicals. Healthcare Pricing Pressure: The Trump administration has warned more than 500 hospitals to post clearer pricing or face penalties up to $2 million annually, signaling tighter enforcement of healthcare price transparency rules. Missouri Infrastructure & Water: The Roy Blunt Reservoir bid process is back on track after funding policy issues were resolved; bids for dam and spillway construction are due July 21. Food & Agriculture Watch: Missouri cattlemen are bracing for fertilizer price spikes, while Missouri agriculture officials tightened livestock protocols amid screwworm concerns; corn futures also tracked shifting speculator positions. Local Business & Community: Smithfield Foods awarded Newtown, Mo., a $35,000 grant to convert a vacant bank building into a community park. Consumer Safety: FDA issued a recall for Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers in 21+ states due to possible metal contamination.

Data Centers vs. Politics: A new wave of AI data centers is colliding with midterm politics, with candidates facing backlash over power bills, water use, farmland impacts, and local control. Healthcare Cost Transparency: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals to post basic pricing or face penalties up to $2M annually, signaling tighter enforcement ahead of the November midterms. Food Safety: Jefferson County’s health department released unannounced inspection results for 54 food establishments (scores 71-100), and the FDA issued a recall of Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers in 21+ states over possible metal pieces. Trucking Compliance Tech: Kansas City startup Sovrynn launched a compliance intelligence platform for owner-operators, offering a DRI Score and Compliance Passport. World Cup in Missouri: England’s team equipment was stolen during transit to Kansas City; police detained two people as the investigation continues. Local Business Ops: Some World Cup host-city restaurants are adding 20% automatic gratuities to reduce tipping confusion for international visitors. Power Infrastructure: MPUA broke ground on the $52.5M Fulton Energy Center to add summer and winter capacity and close local supply gaps. Missouri Roads: MoDOT scheduled North Missouri road work for June 15-21, including lane reductions and closures.

Healthcare Costs & Transparency: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals that they’re not posting required pricing info, with penalties up to $2 million a year, signaling tighter enforcement ahead of the November midterms. Ag Chemicals Accountability: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” bills to block lawsuits tied to cancer-risk claims, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state failure-to-warn cases. Missouri Roads & Construction: MoDOT is rolling out multiple bridge and resurfacing projects, including Route H over Monegaw Creek reopening, I-49 crossover-lane work starting the week of June 15, and Route 28 resurfacing moving in mid-June. World Cup Business Boost (KC/Columbia): Kansas City venues are leaning into FIFA 2026 with events like a Midtown guest book and Crossroads Night Market, while Columbia businesses host watch parties to capture tourism spillover. Local Development Watch: Columbia’s planning panel stalled a proposed 194-unit apartment complex after residents raised traffic concerns. Agriculture Update: MU seed trials show strong early wheat yields in parts of southeast Missouri, with some locations topping 100 bushels per acre.

Agriculture & Food Policy: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits tied to cancer claims from products like glyphosate, as the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule in July on whether federal law blocks state “failure to warn” claims. Healthcare Costs: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals to post basic pricing or face penalties up to $2 million annually, signaling tighter enforcement of price transparency rules. Missouri Business & Infrastructure: MoDOT opened completed interchange improvements in Columbia ahead of schedule, with Boone County Route AC/US 63 access ramps now live (though some single-lane work may remain). Energy & Environment: Severe storms damaged solar panels at Missouri’s Morris Solar Farm, with crews repairing affected sections. Public Safety & Logistics: A semitruck triggered a chain-reaction crash in an I-70 construction zone in Boone County, injuring multiple drivers. Local Economy & Growth: Nova Construction & Remodeling opened a new Columbia showroom, expanding its remodeling and construction services. Wildlife & Communities: Black bear sightings in Columbia underscore a growing Missouri bear population spreading beyond the Ozarks.