Recent issues
Vol. 6, Issue 12: Veteran-Owned Businesses – Oct. 6, 2025 (PDF)
In 2022, the Small Business Administration (SBA) reported that veterans, roughly 4.4% of the labor force, were the majority owners of over 1.6 million firms across the United States: nearly 5.5% of all U.S. businesses. Missouri veterans represent 7% of the state’s population aged 18 and over, compared to 5.9% for the U.S. Veterans made up 10% or more of the population in nearly 22 Missouri counties. Missouri outpaces the national average in both revenue going to veteran-owned businesses and in the proportion of businesses that are veteran-owned.
Vol. 6, Issue 11: Online Microbusiness Trends – Sept. 15, 2025 (PDF)
Missouri had nearly 275,000 online microbusinesses in early 2025, or 5.7 microbusinesses for every 100 adult Missourians. Although online microbusinesses are small, with 65% run by sole entrepreneurs, nearly half aim to expand their business with physical locations and employees. Statewide, microbusiness density rose 5% over the past five years, with the fastest gains occurring in farm-dependent (up 13%) and manufacturing-dependent nonmetro counties (up 7%).
Vol. 6, Issue 10: Neurodivergence in the Workforce – Aug. 18, 2025 (PDF)
Missouri’s underutilization of neurodivergent talent represents both a workforce challenge and a missed economic opportunity. Across Missouri, many neurodivergent individuals (those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other cognitive differences) remain underemployed, despite possessing valuable traits like hyperfocus, creative problem-solving, pattern recognition and resilience that are in high demand across industries. To build a future-ready workforce, Missouri must intentionally include neurodivergent talent to boost innovation, close skill gaps and strengthen the state’s economy.