Missouri lawmakers on May 15 wrapped up the legislative session with last-minute approval of the final version of a bill that expands the Quality Jobs program. The program offers tax credits to companies that add jobs with at least average wages and benefits. House Bill 191 raises the cap on those credits to $80 million from $60 million. The bill also imposes a cap on the historic preservation tax credits program for redevelopment projects that cost more than $1.1 million. The bill limits the state to approve $140 million annually in tax credits through the program, which covers 25 percent of the cost of a project. Legislators also approved the elimination of the corporate franchise tax for 16,500 Missouri businesses.
Back to School?
The Foundation for Springfield Public Schools has launched its 2009-10 Back to School campaign, which raises funds to support the foundation's grant program. Teaching grants are offered to qualifying SPS principals and teachers to fund classroom projects, equipment, technology and professional development. Grant applications will be accepted through June 9. The 2008-09 campaign raised nearly $200,000 and awarded more than 60 grants to schools. To donate or to learn more about the ninth annual campaign, visit www.foundation4sps.org.
Big Brothers Gets Bigger
Joplin-based Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jasper and Newton counties has merged with Springfield-based Big Brother Big Sisters of the Ozarks. The two groups share a mission to give children positive role models, and officials said the pairing was a logical step in growth, offering more opportunities to match children with mentors. Ryan Springer, vice president of Community Bank & Trust and president of the board for the Joplin Big Brothers Big Sisters, said the merger will enable the group to maintain existing business partnerships and build new relationships.
Slice of Nice
The McDonald's Springfield Metro Co-op raised $7,618 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks. Participating McDonald's restaurants in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa and Republic donated $1 of every George Carden Circus ticket sold at their eateries in March. The circus held McDonald's nights March 16-19 at the Shrine Mosque. The co-op has donated $52,000 through this annual fundraiser.
Twice of Nice
St. Agnes Elementary School donated 5,738 pounds of food to Ozarks Food Harvest, earning the school the 2009 Food Drive Challenge trophy. Each St. Agnes student made an average donation of 21 pounds of canned goods during the 2008-09 school year. In the nonprofit food pantry's first yearlong school food drive, it received 46,815 pounds of food from 31 elementary, middle and high schools in the greater Springfield area. Ozarks Food Harvest works with more than 350 hunger relief organizations, reaching upwards of 53,000 people each month in 29 southwest Missouri counties. For more information, contact Matt Petcoff at (417) 865-3411.
