APRIL 22-28, 2024 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 1 APRIL 22-28, 2024 · VOL. 44, NO. 41 $2.50 · SBJ.NET YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY SINCE 1980 FOCUS Amid challenging economic climate, agriculture beckons newcomers. PAGE 10 ‘Sticky’ inflation signals delay in interest rate cuts by Mike Cullinan · mcullinan@sbj.net The latest U.S. consumer inflation figures increased 3.5% last month from a year ago, the highest level since September 2023, which has federal officials saying the first of several interest rate cuts previously expected in 2024 is unlikely to happen this summer. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said at an April 16 policy forum in Washington, D.C., that the latest consumer price index has not given the Fed confidence that inflation is fully under control, according to media reports. “If higher inflation does persist, we can maintain the current level of (interest rates) for as long as needed,” he said. At its most recent meeting in March, the Fed kept interest rates unchanged but had held onto an outlook for three cuts in borrowing costs this year. The first was widely expected in June. The federal funds target rate has remained at 5.25% to 5.5% since last summer, following 11 rate increases that began in March 2022. Indexes which increased in March include motor vehicle insurance, medical care, apparel, personal care and shelter, which includes rent and lodging away from home, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The closely watched consumer core price index, which excludes the more volatile food and energy categories, rose 0.4%, marking the third straight month of increase. The banking industry is among those that have closely monitored inflation data in the hopes that interest rate cuts are around the corner. Bill Jones, president and CEO of Branson Bank, said he wasn’t surprised but a little disappointed by the March consumer inflation figures. Systematic Savings Bank to be acquired in $14M deal by Geoff Pickle · gpickle@sbj.net Springfield-based Systematic Savings Bank (OTC: SSSB), a century-old banking company, has entered a multimillion-dollar deal to be acquired by a financial holding company. Arlo Financial Holdings Inc., an investor group led by Mark Bybee, penned a definitive agreement to purchase Systematic Savings Bank, according to a news release issued after close-of-business on April 17. Bybee said in a phone interview the next morning that he is serving as CEO of Arlo, which has put together a team and a board of directors. He said further information would be released as the deal progresses. Bybee previously served as president of OakStar Bank, among other past roles for the likes of Commerce Bank and U.S. Bank, according to his LinkedIn profile. Arlo was registered in January with the Missouri secretary of state’s office, and its business filing lists businessperson Steven Strobel as the incorporator. Businessperson Greg Snider’s LinkedIn profile states he’s the co-founder of Arlo. Strobel, too, is a co-founder, per his LinkedIn profile. The release points to a $14 million purchase price for Systematic, equating to $23 per share, that’s subject to adjustment based on the definitive agreement’s terms. Arlo would become the holding company of Systematic through the deal, and it has plans in the works to raise at least $25 million of capital. “The board of directors and management See INFLATION on page 24 See BANK on page 19 Local officials question when or if the Fed will act this year Arlo Financial Holdings inks definitive agreement with plans for a capital raise REBECCA GREEN Systematic Savings Bank was founded in 1923. Mark Bybee is CEO of Arlo Financial.
APRIL 22-28, 2024 2 · SBJ.NET
APRIL 22-28, 2024 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 3 NEWS CONTENTS A Conversation With ... SBJ interviews the owner of El Shaddai Farm, a quarter-acre farm in north Springfield growing vegetables for a local restaurant. page 12 Agriculture Open for Business New ownership is at the helm of a longtime Springfield office products shop. page 4 Business of the Arts As Gillioz resident company, Ozarks Lyric Opera serves tastes of broadening audience page 8 Untangled Web Digital Editor Geoff Pickle digs into a new Pizza Hut coming to Sunshine Street and Kansas Expressway. page 25 Opinion Page Guest columnist Donnie Brawner says many entrepreneurs stray from their original business ventures, which is often a recipe for success. page 29 Home construction companies merge to launch new venture by Mike Cullinan · mcullinan@sbj.net A pair of home construction companies with a combined 30-plus years in the industry have teamed up to open a local franchise of a Canada-based home building and renovation company. Aaron Wyssmann and Travis Miller are franchisees of Alair Springfield, which opened for business in December. It’s the first Missouri franchise for Alair Homes, which specializes in custom homes and remodels. It was founded in 2007 in British Columbia, Canada, and has since opened over 100 affiliated offices, including ones in 14 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces, according to its website. Alair Springfield is the result of a merger for undisclosed terms of Wyssmann’s Ozarks Remodeling & Design business and Travis Miller Homes LLC, which Miller started around 20 years ago. While the franchise’s signage at this month’s annual HBA Home & Outdoor Living Show, organized by the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield, noted Alair Springfield and Travis Miller Homes, Wyssmann said his company’s name has been folded into the new venture. Miller said his company name will likely be used for a couple years before fully transitioning to the Alair Springfield branding. “Travis’s brand is a whole lot stronger than mine, so it just made a whole lot more sense to keep his brand and come in. So, we’re cobranded as those two companies,” Wyssmann said of Alair Springfield and Travis Miller Homes, noting he and Miller own the franchise via TA Custom Homes LLC. At 4126 W. Third St. in Battlefield, Alair Springfield is housed in the former office of Ozarks Remodeling & Design. “Alair Springfield is not just an expansion; it’s a statement of our commitment to excellence and innovation,” Rob Cecil, president of REBECCA GREEN by Geoff Pickle · gpickle@sbj.net Officials behind a newly planned aquatic development are looking make a splash in northwest Springfield. H Design Group LLC officials teased in an April 15 Facebook post plans for the Well Aquatic Center, a 70,000-square-foot development at Chestnut Expressway and Airport Boulevard. “The Well isn’t just a pool – it’s a community landmark in the making,” the post reads, indicating the development would have offerings for competitive and burgeoning swimmers. “The Well will also be a hub for innovative water therapy options, promoting holistic wellness for all ages and abilities.” The Well was registered as a nonprofit with the Missouri secretary of state’s office last month by H Design Group senior principal Rob Haik, Bailey Gott and Laura Gott, who is named as project manager on LinkedIn. Haik said those involved with the project are currently seeking to build interest for the development. “The developer is fully behind this initiative and impressed with what has been presented so far,” he said via email. “As for costs and logistics, we’ll address them as the project garners more support. Regarding the developer, design team and contractor, all decisions have been made, and we’ll share more details when appropriate.” He said the goal is to secure funding from a mix of public and private sources, as well as state backing. JOINING FORCES Travis Miller and Aaron Wyssmann are franchisees of Alair Springfield after merging their companies, Travis Miller Homes and Ozarks Remodeling & Design, late last year. See ALAIR on page 20 See WELL on page 21 Alair Springfield is first Missouri franchise for Canada-based company Aquatic development teased in northwest Springfield The Well Aquatic Center would front Sports Town along Chestnut Expressway
APRIL 22-28, 2024 4 · SBJ.NET NEWS By Mike Cullinan, Reporter New business, new location, new owner? Send your info to newbusiness@sbj.net Moseley’s Discount Office Products Chicken is the star attraction for The Side Chick LLC, a Branson restaurant owned by Brad Leighninger, Derrick Melugin, Jason Roberts and Tammy Zachary. The venture opened April 15 at 3404 W. Highway 76 as part of The Track Family Fun Parks. Side Chick is the latest creation from the quartet of owners, who also operate barbecue restaurant chain Gettin’ Basted, Hollister pub Downing Street Pour House and Mythical ’Wich LLC, which opened in December 2023 in downtown Branson. The 40-employee Side Chick occupies 4,700 square feet at the Track and has seating capacity for around 200 people. Startup costs were $100,000, Zachary said, adding the owners signed a five-year lease with two 10-year extensions for an undisclosed rate with Five Star Parks and Attractions, which owns The Track. Side Chick serves rotisserie-style and “broasted” chicken – which she said is cooked in a pressure fryer – along with sides, such as coleslaw, barbecue street corn, charro beans and fried okra. New ownership is at the helm of a Springfield franchise store of Nashville, Tennessee-based NoBaked Cookie Dough. Clay Trautman said he and his wife, Shanda, purchased the local franchise Dec. 1 for undisclosed terms from Michael Lassen. The 1,300-square-foot store at 1364 E. Republic Road in the Fremont Corners shopping center opened in 2019. The shop offers raw, edible cookie dough by the scoop, which is made fresh and contains no eggs. Strawberry cheesecake and brownie batter are among flavors on the menu, which also serves sundaes and milkshakes. Trautman said he and Shanda had a seamless transition with strong support from Lassen, who moved out of state, as well as the corporate team in Nashville. The five-employee shop also offers catering and provides its treats at events. In addition to NoBaked Cookie Dough, Trautman said he has ownership in Advoco Technologies LLC, a technology consulting firm, and general contracting company The Cast Group. Over 80 years of family ownership of Moseley’s Discount Office Products ended with the company’s Nov. 10 purchase by husband and wife Justin and Katie Hough from longtime owner Jeff Moseley. Justin Hough declined to disclose the financial terms for acquiring the downtown business, which was founded in 1941 by Harold Moseley, grandfather of Jeff Moseley. Hough said he and his wife signed a three-year lease for an undisclosed rate with Moseley Trust, noting Jeff Moseley still owns the 7,500-square-foot building at 431 South Ave. Steve Nurnberg of the Kingsley Group served as broker for the deal. Employing a staff of six, Moseley’s Discount Office Products sells office furniture and supplies with daily deliveries and installation. The company offers 3D layout and design services for furniture projects, Hough said, adding custom orders can be completed in as soon as a week. Hough said he and his wife are no stranger to business ownership, with former building materials shop Innoviro among past ventures. ☎ 417-862-4474 YourOfficeProducts.com Side Chick NoBaked Cookie Dough ☎ 417-335-1607 Facebook.com/GBSideChick ☎ 417-988-1009 NoBakedCookieDough.com OPEN FOR BUSINESS Katie and Justin Hough KATELYN EGGER MIDWEST PREMIER COMMERCIAL CHECKING With our high-interest commercial checking account, you'll earn 2.02% APY* on balances of $50,000 or more. Stop by our new Springfield banking location today to learn more. *APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APY accurate as of 1/1/23 and may change at any time. $50.00 minimum to open account. Balances of$50,000.00 or more receive 2.02% APY. Receive 0.25% APY if account balance falls below $50,000.00 at any time during the statement cycle. For accounts opened in the Springfield, MO market only. 2540 East Sunshine St 417-350-1311
APRIL 22-28, 2024 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 5 Send your company’s new hires, promotions, awards and achievements to newsmakers@sbj.net or click “Talk to SBJ” on our homepage. Please include job titles and relevant career and educational experiences. We’ll publish high-resolution color photos attached as space permits. LET US KNOW by Geoff Pickle · gpickle@sbj.net Architecture Kinetic Design and Development LLC hired Patrick Tasset as project manager and Autumn Lambertson as interior design associate. Tasset has more than 30 years of industry experience, and Lambertson is a 2023 graduate of Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in interior design. Banking & Finance Dana Havens, managing partner for Affinity Wealth Partners, was named to Forbes’ list of the best-in-state women advisers. With more than two decades of financial services industry experience, Havens has a bachelor’s in business administration and economics from Drury University. Guaranty Bank hired Andy Redman as vice president and commercial banking officer. With more than 20 years of experience in commercial banking, Redman graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s in business administration and management. Engineering Toth and Associates Inc. promoted Luke Snow to vice president and shareholder. A professional engineer, he has nearly a decade of experience in the power delivery and utilities industry, specializing in transmission and distribution line design and the deployment of communication facilities for Toth. Health Care Children’s Smile Center hired Sandy Thompson as community relations director for its nonprofit dental clinics. Thompson, who is responsible for public relations, special events, grant writing and school liaison communications, has a bachelor’s in mass communication/journalism from Texas State University. Law Kent Hyde of Hyde, Love & Overby LLP was inducted as a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Membership is limited to 500 fellows in the United States, as well as international members. Fellows are evaluated based on peer and judicial review. Real Estate Pittsfield, Illinois-based Whitetail Properties Real Estate hired local real estate broker Dustin Ross to lead its waterfront homes, luxury homes and country homes market segments. The new segments cover all of southern Missouri. Ross, who works for the Utecht Residential Team of Whitetail Properties, is based in Marshfield. Brian Utecht, salesperson and land specialist in southwest Missouri for Whitetail Properties Real Estate, received a handful of industry awards recognizing his sale of rural properties in 2023. Utecht, who has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, was honored in Land Magazine and on its website, Land.com, as a Land Star Award Top Producer for ranking in the top 5% of all rural land sales in the Midwest last year. He additionally was honored by the Realtors Land Institute with a regional Broker of the Year recognition for ranch sales and won an APEX Producers Club award that recognizes real estate agents with at least $5 million of qualifying land sales in a single year. Utecht also earned RLI’s accredited land consultant designation, which requires the completion of an educational program, a record of successful transactions and professional growth commitments. NEWSMAKERS Send announcements to newsmakers@sbj.net Redman Thompson Ross Hyde Utecht Havens Tasset Snow Lambertson 417-831-5634 | 1-800-884-1918 | www.DeltaRoofing.net For over 50 years, we’ve maintained a stellar reputation as your SW Missouri Commercial Roofing Company. We take pride in our excellent workmanship. • New install • Repair • Replace We’ve got your project covered! We STAND OUT. CORRECTION Commercial Builders General Construction LLC is the general contractor for the Missouri State University Hammons Student Center renovation; the company’s name was incorrect in the April 15 Spring Construction Report. Additionally, the anticipated completion date for the Southern Hills Shopping Center is the end of spring, not the end of April.
APRIL 22-28, 2024 6 · SBJ.NET NEWS May 2, 2024 6:30 AM - Breakfast Opens 7 AM - Prayer Breakfast Begins Oasis Convention Center 2550 N Glenstone Ave, Springfield, MO 65803 Beth Moore Author, Speaker, and President of Living Proof Ministries 417-862-3586 CCOzarks@CCOzarks.org Scan QR Code or contact via Email or Phone Join us for our yearly gathering, where our local community gathers for a morning of prayer, guided by clergy and community representatives. Facebook.com/SGFPrayerBreakfast Kingdom Coffee adding shop at former Boyd Elementary building by Geoff Pickle · gpickle@sbj.net A third Kingdom Coffee shop is in the works. Co-owner Chris McGuire said a fall or early winter opening is targeted for the store at the former Boyd Elementary School. The 1409 N. Washington Ave. building is being redeveloped into a commercial project with apartments by Boyd School Redevelopment Corp., according to past reporting. “Something that we have always tried to do is create spaces that are conducive for community, places for people to gather,” McGuire said. “We think that growing our business into this new space will allow us to do this over in the Midtown neighborhood.” McGuire said the Kingdom Coffee shop would be located in the former library of the Boyd building. Declining to disclose costs, he said the owners of the coffee company recently signed a lease for over 2,000 square feet. The building is owned by Boyd Lofts LLC, which is registered by developer Matt Blevins, according to records with the Greene County assessor and Missouri secretary of state offices. A larger kitchen at the new location would allow for expanded food options, said McGuire, who owns Kingdom Coffee with Isaac Neale, Jason Strother and Nathan Boaldin. Breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner options are planned, McGuire said, as well as more dessert items. The company’s best-selling items currently include lattes, iced lattes and breakfast burritos, he said. Kingdom Coffee also operates at 211 S. Market Ave. in the Union Biscuit lofts building downtown, as well as at 2896 S. Lone Pine Ave. near Lone Pine and Battlefield Road. The company started in 2009 as The Hub Bikes & Beans before its 2014 name change to Kingdom Coffee, according to past reporting. • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays, for children ages 6-17. Call 417.799.7474 for your FREE assessment today. perimeterspringfield.com PROVIDING HOPE. TRANSFORMING LIVES. Find a guiding star on your child’s behavioral health journey. Former CoxHealth colleagues starting communications firm by SBJ Staff · sbj@sbj.net Two former CoxHealth colleagues are teaming up again, this time on a crisis communications consultancy firm. Kaitlyn McConnell, who exited CoxHealth in 2021 as its system director of public relations, announced in a public Facebook post this morning that she’s partnering with former CoxHealth President and CEO Steve Edwards on McConnell Edwards LLC. Edwards retired from CoxHealth in 2022 after 30 years with the health system. “Through our work together, we are convinced of the need for responsive communication that focuses on transparency,” McConnell said in the post. “It’s our hope to help companies, people and organizations evaluate their crisis communications plans and protocols – through conversations, drills and curated scenarios – long before a crisis ever arrives.” McConnell Edwards provides proactive mentoring, crisis training and in-the-moment support services, according to its website. McConnell said in the Facebook post that her new venture with Edwards would not interfere with her work on her Ozarks Alive publication that covers the people and history of the area. Edwards said in a public Facebook post on April 18 that he’s honored to work alongside “the best public relations professional in my 35-year career.” “We can help your team create a crisis communication plan, we can train your team in crisis communication strategies, and we can even step in to help defend your organization during a media crisis,” he said in the post. “Our approach is straightforward – reveal the truth, defend against misinformation and be accountable to your community.” Edwards said in the post he would continue doing health care consulting work through ImagineHealth. • provided by MCCONNELL EDWARDS LLC Kaitlyn McConnell and Steve Edwards are teaming up on McConnell Edwards.
APRIL 22-28, 2024 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 7 Your business. Your Cadence. Your goals come first. At Cadence, we appreciate the hard work and dedication you bring to your business every day. We’re here to give you every advantage, from expert guidance delivered by financial professionals who understand you, to tailored solutions and financing designed specifically for businesses like yours. That’s what makes us your bank. #yourcadence © 2024 Cadence Bank. All Rights Reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender. NMLS# 410279 CadenceBank.com/Business Visit or call us today to find out how we can help you achieve your potential.
APRIL 22-28, 2024 8 · SBJ.NET by Karen Craigo · kcraigo@sbj.net I n a famous set of scenes from “Pretty Woman,” Julia Roberts and Richard Gere don formalwear and board a private jet to an opera house to take in the classic “La Traviata” from lush box seats. Ozarks Lyric Opera had something different in mind when it decided to stage “The Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets,” written by rock musician and songwriter Tom Waits and Beat author William S. Burroughs, April 19 and 21. In a season that also included Beethoven’s sole opera, “Fidelio,” first produced in 1805, maybe there’s room for edgier 20th century fare. And if it’s mounted at The Gillioz Theatre – a venue built for vaudeville and frequented by fans of rock music and comedy shows – that’s just another indication of something different in store. Something different was exactly what OLO’s leadership had in mind. The company was established in 1979, and brothers Sean Spyres, business and operations director, and Michael Spyres, artistic director, have been at the helm since 2015. The two jumped at the chance to stage “The Black Rider.” It’s a show that has been produced in the United States only two other times. The opera, which grapples with the theme of addiction, serves up shades of the William Tell legend, with the main character, Wilhelm, having to prove his marksmanship in order to marry a huntsman’s daughter – with predictably tragic results. It’s a story that likely resonated with Burroughs, who in 1951 shot and killed his own common-law wife in an apparent failed attempt to hit a glass balanced on her head. Waits, who is 74, wrote the music and most lyrics for the show. A songwriter, he is not a hitmaker, but rather is known for his gravelly vocals laid over music inspired by blues, funk, industrial and rock. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. OLO’s production is the Midwest debut, and Sean Spyres said ticket sales were brisk, though at press time the show was not sold out. “This was a dream project,” he said. “Not that we’re going to be less invested in something else, but you’ve got to keep it fresh for yourself. We’re almost a decade into this.” Sean Spyres and Lindsey Wheatley, OLO’s director of marketing and development, are the opera’s only paid staff members; Michael Spyres, an international opera performer based in Europe, offers his services as an inkind donation. Under the Spyres’ leadership, OLO has performed such classic shows as “Marriage of Figaro,” “The Magic Flute,” “Pagliacci” and “Don Giovanni.” Alongside these staples, the brothers have also enjoyed providing shows audiences can’t find anywhere else. One example is last season’s “Sweet Louisa,” an original gothic opera composed by local businesswoman Katie Kring, owner of the bakery Pickwick and Cherry LLC. “The Black Rider” is another. “In this business model that we’re going for, we will still provide traditional opera reimagined in a certain way, not so much for our budget or even just the limitations that we have in this historic theater, but we’ve done what we wanted to,” Sean Spyres said. “When Michael and I are looking at what we might be capable of doing, that’s really big. It’s like, what do we want to do now?” OLO has an annual budget of $229,000, according to its 2023 tax filing. Spyres said a single fully staged opera can be expensive to mount, breaking down to $12,000-$15,000 for the orchestra, $12,000-$15,000 for creative and technical personnel, $8,000-$10,000 for additional casting and covers, and $3,000- $4,000 for venue and staging rehearsal space rental. Promotion is an additional expense. Today’s audiences have less patience for a three-hour opera, according to Spyres, who said tastes are changing. One of OLO’s popular offerings is “Opera Rocks,” a show that features operatic vocal talent performing rock standards. Spyres said it can be hard to know what audiences want – but finding what that is can be magical. Home, sweet home In May 2023, OLO became the first tenant provided by OZARKS LYRIC OPERA “We want to show people opera is for you – it’s for everyone.” —Adie Williams, Ozarks Lyric Opera Board of Directors Ozarks Lyric Opera hits new notes for changing audience K it F ee r p e i s n h g “Fidelio,” Beethoven’s only opera, kicked off the 2023-24 season.
APRIL 22-28, 2024 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 9 of The Gillioz Center for Arts & Entertainment, which has operated at 325 Park Central East since 1926. OLO was previously housed at The Creamery Arts Center, which is owned by the city of Springfield and serves as a headquarters for multiple local arts groups. OLO is the resident opera company of the historic theater, and Gillioz Executive Director Geoff Steele said he’s thrilled to have it in the house. “OLO for me feels like it’s the most representative of the way arts are growing in this community,” he said. Steele said OLO offers both consistency and creativity in its programming, and the organization is also a great example of an organization that is willing to partner with other agencies. “Working with them has just been incredibly productive for my staff,” he said. “We’re having fun.” Spyres said the energy goes both ways. Not long ago, OLO was doing two or three events per year, but the residency at the Gillioz has allowed the company to expand its offerings to six in the current season. The partnership expands the audience for both the Gillioz and OLO, Spyres said. “The Gillioz brings in the crowd to rock shows and to comedy shows, and we bring in a few different folks that don’t normally come to those things,” he said. “Our audience has changed since we’ve been doing more things here. We’ve seen a lot more interaction with first-time, new patrons, and a lot more younger audience members who are just used to this space.” Steele said he wants to provide diversity of programming in the theater. “Part of our mission is to be intentional and intelligent and to be good stewards of what we’ve been given – to cultivate an environment for creativity,” he said. “Our diverse programming is one of the primary things that sets the theater apart.” Another difference is seen in the physical space – the dimensions of the theater itself. The stage measures 37 feet wide and 21 feet tall, and it has a depth of 28 feet – narrow for staging. The theater was originally what was called a transition house, Steele said; it ushered in silent films while simultaneously ushering out vaudeville, and eventually it became a straight movie house. Spyres said the shallow stage creates some challenges for staging opera. “Because it’s so shallow, we’ve only got three drops that we can fly things in, where The Landers Theatre would probably have triple that. You know, it’s just a vaudeville theater, and that’s kind of the approach we go with. He noted that technology expands the possibilities for staging. “With projections now, you’re able to do things you couldn’t do before, and people are used to looking at moving images and animations,” he said. “If people are used to staring at their phone or their TV, we can kind of slip the opera in front of it.” Something for everyone Adie Williams has been an OLO board member for about a year, and said she enjoys seeing people discover opera. Interviewed in the week leading up to “The Black Rider,” she said she was anticipating a big, diverse crowd. Williams’ fiance, Steve Ames, who has a part in “The Black Rider,” called the show wildly different and unique. “The orchestration is very much in the style of Mr. Waits, with interesting and diverse instruments – theremins and didgeridoo, for example – and the show features some outstanding powerhouse performances,” Ames said. Williams said the board is interested in producing shows that are accessible to a wide range of audience members. “We want to show people opera is for you – it’s for everyone,” she said. “Forget anything you thought you knew about opera. This is going to be so much fun.” • TAWNIE WILSON Sean Spyres, business and operations director for Ozarks Lyric Opera, says keeping things fresh is important.
APRIL 22-28, 2024 10 · SBJ.NET NEWS Give yourself a time raise Stress-free payroll solutions with the fastest support in the world. apluspayroll.com SPD issues 36 citations to businesses for violating city’s gaming machine ban by Karen Craigo · kcraigo@sbj.net Officers from the Springfield Police Department have issued 36 citations to businesses for violating the city’s ban of cash-prize gaming machines. A news release from the city named 26 businesses that received at least one citation since the ordinance was enacted. Included on the list issued April 15 were convenience stores, smoke and vape shops, a bar and a grocery store. The release said officers with the department’s Community Services Section have been tasked with checking for compliance with the new ordinance and enforcing it. On Feb. 12, Springfield City Council passed an ordinance banning entertainment devices offering monetary prizes within the city. The morning after the ordinance passed, Chief Paul Williams confirmed that enforcement would begin immediately. Under the ordinance, violating businesses are fined $500 per machine for a first offense and $1,000 per machine for a second offense. For a third offense, the ordinance calls for an additional fine of $1,000 per machine plus a minimum jail sentence of 30 days, and the court is restricted by the ordinance from suspending this minimum sentence. A spokesperson from SPD declined to clarify whether any of the 36 citations issued were for second or third offenses. Williams said the top priority would be those businesses that specialize in the entertainment devices. “The top priority would be those places that are unique – the video gaming centers where nothing but this is going on,” Williams said at the time. “Then we’ll move on to those that have them as an extracurricular part of the business.” Gaming centers were not included on the list released by SPD. However, on March 19, multiple law enforcement agencies, including SPD and the FBI, were witnessed conducting simultaneous raids at several locations throughout the city, and video gaming centers were included in the sweep. Asked about the raids, in an email, SPD Public Affairs Officer Cris Swaters said a multiagency investigation is underway and deferred further comment to Don Ledford, spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office for the Western District of Missouri. He told SBJ he had no information to provide and no criminal charges have been filed. Witness reports of the March 19 raids popped up on community crime-watch pages on Facebook, with accounts of some electronic gaming machines being removed from businesses. An SBJ staffer witnessed similar activity in person at a former Family Video store on the corner of Scenic Avenue and Mount Vernon Street. KY3 reported on raids at Lucky 7’s and Big Win gaming rooms, at 1842 and 1928 S. Glenstone Ave. and 1135 E. Commercial St., respectively, as well as other addresses, including a home. The addresses reported by the station were the 1700 block of South Link Avenue, the 600 block of South Scenic Avenue, the 500 block of West Bypass (two locations), 634 E. Walnut Lawn St. and 1322 E. Grand St. KY3 reported the FBI claimed to be involved in all the raids but did not give a reason for them. SPD confirmed to the station that the raids were related but did not offer other details except to say it was a multijurisdictional investigation. At a Feb. 6 council meeting, Councilmember Callie Carroll asked Williams for an update on enforcement of the ordinance, but Mayor Ken McClure told Carroll that’s a question council should not ask. Lawsuit filed Wildwood, Missouri-based Torch Electronics LLC, which manufactures the devices banned by the city ordinance, filed a lawsuit against the city of Springfield in Greene County Circuit Court on Feb. 29. In the court filing, the company seeks an injunction and declaratory judgment against the city and states that its machines are legal and the businesses using them are law abiding. The lawsuit takes issue with the law and its enforcement efforts and asks the court to put an end to them. “Torch Electronics LLC brings this action to restrain the city of Springfield from exceeding its authority in enacting and enforcing an ordinance that does not apply to Torch, effectively banning lawful Torch coin-operated amusement machines in law-abiding businesses across the Springfield community,” the petition states. The document explains that the machines are placed in businesses pursuant to license agreements that lease space to the company to operate them. It also declares that use of the machines does not constitute gambling. “By using the coin-operated amusement machines, customers of local businesses play games that are within their control and are not See SPD on page 23 Paul Williams: The top priority is businesses that specialize in cashprize gaming machines.
AGRICULTURE APRIL 22-28, 2024 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 11 A Hard Row to Hoe by Karen Craigo · kcraigo@sbj.net Farms are under pressure, and the outlook from the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute projects further declines in farm income and higher costs for producers. The 2024 farm outlook, released last month by FAPRI, notes farm commodity prices reached peak levels in spring 2022, but they have since tumbled and that downward pressure is projected to continue beyond 2024. Net farm income, which dropped $30 billion from 2022 to 2023, is projected to continue declining, according to FAPRI. Crop prices are declining, and profitability is See ROAD on page 15 TAWNIE WILSON COMPREHENSIVE AG EDUCATION Missouri State University professor Natalie Mook offers pointers to student rider Celeste Swick during AGS 162, Introduction to Riding, one of a wide range of classes offered for students with an interest in agriculture. Interest in ag careers is high – but so is pressure on farmers at risk, the FAPRI report stated. For consumers, food price inflation slowed in 2023, another trend that could continue in 2024, the report stated. Such pressures are business as usual for farmers, according to Nichole Busdieker-Jesse, instructor of agribusiness in Missouri State University’s William H. Darr College of Agriculture. “It’s important to understand, in agriculture, we always have those ups and downs and arounds when it comes to pricing,” she said. “These are challenging times, but I can’t say that it’s anything really new that we haven’t seen.” The mix of elevated inflation and interest rates is a combination that hasn’t been seen in a while, Busdieker-Jesse said. “If you are risk-averse, agriculture is probably not the right industry for you,” she said. Even so, local interest in agricultural careers is brisk, according to Katie Kensinger, director of college and career readiness for Springfield Public Schools. Kensinger said within SPS, the college and career readiness platform Naviance identifies career clusters of interest to students, and it has shown 13.5% of ninth- and 10th-graders are interested in agriculture, and 18% of sixth- and seventh-graders. SPS rises to the occasion, with its AgAcademy, an immersive agricultural program for students in grades four to six, and with high school agriculture education programs at Hillcrest and Glendale high schools. Additionally, seventh-graders can participate in AgVenture, offering four fullday experiences in agriculture, like a tour of the Vital Farms egg washing and packing facility, called Egg Central Station, in Partnership Industrial Center West. Kensinger said a majority of students enrolled in agricultural education do not come from farm families – not surprising in an urban school district. And she noted agriculture careers extend well beyond being a farmer. “Maybe they’re more business focused,” she said. “There are plenty of opportunities for them in the agriculture world in business, marketing and things like that. It’s not just animals; it’s not just plants.” Nichole Busdieker-Jesse said there are a lot of risk-management tools available to address multiple factors. “Pricing concerns, income concerns – for all areas of risk, a lot of tools are available,” she said. “It’s just a matter of what works best for your operation in a given situation.” Family farm future Jeremy Pendleton, president of the Lawrence County Farm Bureau, is a grain farmer in Stotts City. He acknowledged that now is a difficult time to be a farmer. Grain prices are stagnant, and input prices – the cost of things like seed, chemicals and fertilizer – are soaring. Pendleton noted last year crops were selling higher, at up to $6.50 per bushel of corn.
12 · SBJ.NET APRIL 22-28, 2024 FOCUS AGRICULTURE What’s the size and scope of your farm? We’re on 13 acres here; about a fourth of an acre is the garden. I grow vegetables for Craft Sushi. We do cucumbers, peppers, jalapeno peppers, greens. We’ll be doing the daikon radish this year, and carrots and green onions, and then also microgreens. How did that relationship come together? I was doing the farmers market. We actually were The Plant Bus, my daughter and I. I also brought vegetables to set up there. [Craft Sushi co-owner] Michael [Cho] was coming through there one day and looking for people that he could purchase from for the restaurant. He really liked the vegetables that I had. I started growing full time for him last year. Does an exclusive partnership like this allow your small farm to be sustainable? I have done a small CSA or garden boxes in the past. The problem with that is the way I had set it up, people just purchase by the week, but a lot of these people go – they’re always gone on vacations and all that. This makes it nice. I make a couple deliveries a week, and it’s something steady. And really it’s a wonderful thing that people can go in there and buy fresh vegetables, can get that on their bowls or the rolls. I think more of the higher-end restaurants will bring in local produce that they sell, but Craft Sushi, that’s more of an economical place that people could really get some very good nutrients. With our commercialized food system today, it’s just not sustainable. When you pick vegetables, the minute you pick them, they begin to lose their nutrients. It’s the best if you can just buy it local, get it fresh. Farming is tough business. We’ve seen smaller, urban farms close or pause operations in recent years, like with Urban Roots Farm and Green Thicket Farm. What’s it like running a small-scale operation? Well, for me, it’s just me. I probably will need to hire a couple hands this year since I’m taking on more vegetables. I’d say it’s easier running a small farm than a bigger one. Then you have more people you’re managing and just more to do. Weeding takes a lot of time. I like to keep my prices fair. We’re on well water so the water doesn’t really cost me other than electricity to pump the water. So besides seed and then my fuel to deliver, there’s not a lot of expenses. Tell me about the farm property you operate on. As far back as I have found is 1842. It’s possible it’s older than that. We actually have a log cabin that was the original homestead. Ammon Knighten built a new home in 1906. Before that, it was his wife’s parents that owned the farm. They inherited this farm. Then the Pauls bought this place. He was the main manager of Sears Roebuck store here in town. We have a gristmill, too, where they had a grain mill down there; there’s just remnants. We were told that people would bring their grain here and grind it and store it. Do you have plans or goals to grow your farm or add more clients? I would like to continue to grow for restaurants and possibly more greens. I really enjoy doing that. It makes good money and it’s easier to do. I’ll continue to add more vegetables that they serve at Craft Sushi. There’s a long history of agriculture in the Ozarks. How would you characterize the farming community today? I think we’re going back to farming. We’ve got Springfield Community Gardens and Millsap Farm. You got the Amish farmers. I think people are wanting to get fresh vegetables and good quality vegetables. More and more people are looking for that so that it seems to be growing, the small farms. That’s really what we need more of. What do you think is driving that? People are finding out how the big commercial farms work with the chemicals they use. With vegetables that come in, they gamma ray it, which is radiation to kill the bacteria on vegetables. These kind of farms around here, we don’t spray [chemicals]. It’s all more organic. I’m not certified organic, but I grow organically. I use the no-till method, which is what most of your smaller community gardens are using. We don’t really use much machines. We apply compost on our beds and just broad fork; we don’t disturb the soil with machines and tillers. There’s a lot of biological stuff going on in the soil. Soil is living, and that destroys that when you’re using the tillers and the plows. With fertilizing, I’ll do a fish emulsion, use natural fertilizers. I make my own fertilizers. I put weeds in a bucket and put water over them and let them break down and it turns into a lot of good nutrients that you can water the garden with. shona swearingin Owner, El Shaddai Farm A CONVERSATION WITH ... Excerpts from an interview by Executive Editor Christine Temple, ctemple@sbj.net 417-831-1700 • pcnetinc.com Our IT isn’t about technology, it’s about you. CONTACT US TODAY REBECCA GREEN
SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 13 APRIL 22-28, 2024 FOCUS AGRICULTURE Why the cattle market is booming and where it can go from here The past several years have brought a surge of optimism to the cattle market, and perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in southwest Missouri. As the first quarter of 2024 comes to an end, record prices for all classes of cattle are painting a vibrant picture for agribusinesses in our region. The latest projections from CattleFax, unveiled at the National Cattle Convention in late February, hint at a prolonged period of prosperity, potentially spanning the next few years. What lies behind this unprecedented buoyancy in the cattle market and what implications does it hold for our local agribusiness community? A primary driver of the soaring cattle prices is the persistent decline in cattle numbers, exacerbated by drought conditions gripping the Plains states. Southwest Missouri, though not immune to these climate challenges, has felt the impact of this trend. With half of all beef cows enduring dry weather or outright drought conditions, the ability of many producers to engage in expansionary endeavors has been severely curtailed. The January U.S. Department of Agriculture cattle inventory report underscores this reality, revealing a 2% decrease in total cattle numbers compared with the previous year. Yet, amidst these challenges, lies an opportunity for those willing to seize it. As Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, aptly notes, the pinnacle of cattle prices in this cycle might not arrive until 2026. This prediction serves as a clarion call for local agribusinesses, urging them to capitalize on the current market fervor. However, the window of opportunity is not indefinite, as it takes more than two years to cultivate a replacement heifer and reap the full benefits of these bullish market conditions. Demand dynamics also play a pivotal role in propelling cattle prices to new, unprecedented heights. Despite the premium prices, consumer appetite for beef remains robust. The allure of beef, coupled with its versatile culinary applications, continues to resonate with consumers, translating into sustained demand. Still, a note of caution rings within the industry, as alternative meats like pork and poultry offer lower retail prices, potentially enticing consumers away from beef in the future. For local producers contemplating herd expansion, the time is ripe to act. The current landscape presents a favorable moment to bolster cow herds with bred heifers fetching competitive prices. Mike Murphy, CattleFax chief operating officer, underscores the long-term value proposition, emphasizing that the upfront investment in bred heifers can yield substantial returns over their productive lifetimes. As the cattle market scales new heights, southwest Missouri cattle operations stand at the precipice of unparalleled opportunity. The merging of supply constraints, resilient demand and prudent investment outlooks paints a promising picture for stakeholders across the value chain. However, amidst the optimism, caution remains vital. Producers must navigate the market dynamics judiciously, leveraging the current momentum to fortify their operations against future uncertainties. The cattle market’s current buoyancy represents more than just fleeting optimism – it embodies the resilience and resourcefulness of our local agribusiness community. By harnessing the prevailing market winds and embracing strategic foresight, local farmers can chart a course toward sustained prosperity, ensuring a vibrant and resilient future for our region’s agricultural landscape. Jennifer Davis is a loan officer and agricultural lender for OMB Bank in Ash Grove. She can be reached at j.davis@oldmobank.com. INDUSTRY INSIGHT Jennifer Davis 3050 S. National 417.881.8822 M-F 9am - 6pm, Saturday 9am - 1pm LOCATIONS & HOURS: grovepharmacy.com Drop the Weight with oral drops! Semaglutide is available as sublingual drops for weight loss. Easy drop application under the tongue. Compounded in our lab. Same active ingredient as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. Prices starting at $110/month Prescription Required The pinnacle of cattle prices in this cycle might not arrive until 2026. This prediction serves as a clarion call for local agribusinesses. LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED BY DOUG & ANDREA WINDSOR © 2023 Five Star Painting SPV LLC. All rights Reserved. Commercial & Residential Painting 417.720.2376 FiveStarPainting.com
14 · SBJ.NET APRIL 22-28, 2024 FOCUS AGRICULTURE AT YOUR SERVICE is the place to find providers of the products and services you need in your home or business. Visit SBJ.net/AtYourService to learn more about each company. PAID ADVERTISING • Electrician • Smart Homes • Pet Services • Automotive Services • Exterminator • Plumbing • Tree Service • Janitorial/Cleaning/ Maid Service • Security • Carpet Care • Solar • Uniforms • Interior Design • Remodeling • Painting • Window Cleaning We are currently seeking providers in the following categories: The deadline to reserve your exclusive category and appear in the May 27 edition is 5/16/24. Email advertising@sbj.net for details. • Hydraulic and Industrial Hose Maintenance and Replacement • 24/7/365 Mobile On-Site Service with a 1-Hour ETA PIRTEK MOBILE SERVICE ONLY www.pirtekspringfieldmo.com 417-342-8075 • Frank Myers 417-444-7538 • Greg Myers AREA'S LARGEST DISPENSARIES Name Address Telephone • Website Email Employees Local Companywide Highest Selling Product(s) Locations Local Companywide Representative Brands Drive-thru Delivery Top Local Executive(s)/Title(s) Year Founded Locally 1 (4) FLORA FARMS LLC1 2027 N Glenstone Ave, Springfield 65803 417-319-6355 • FloraFarmsMo.com 100 125 Flora Farms flower 4 5 2 Flora Farms, Cookies, Vivid, Clovr, Sinse Cannabis Mark Hendren, president 2021 2 (1) GOOD DAY FARM 1510 E Sunshine St, Springfield 65804 417-708-7751 • GoodDayFarmDispensary.com hello@gooddayfarm.com 80 1,000 Good Day Farm flower, pre-rolls, edibles, vapes & concentrates 4 35 Good Day Farm, Cookies, Tank ✔ Brandon Smith, director of stores & Laurie Gregory, chief retail & brand officer 2021 3 (3) GREENLIGHT DISPENSARY 218 N National Ave, Springfield 65802 417-771-3712 • GreenlightDispensary.com 55 710 Flower, pre-rolls, vape, gummies 2 32 Greenlight, CORE Cannabis, Rogue Green, Flora Farms, Sinse, Rove, Vivid ✔ Travis Harp, & Ashley FrazierOsburn, general managers 2020 4 HIGH PROFILE CANNABIS3 2935 E Chestnut Expwy, Springfield 65802 417-720-3050 • HighProfileCannabis.com info@c3industries.com 25 950 Cannabis flower 1 25 Cloud Cover Cannabis, Galactic Cannabis, Platinum Vapes Camino, Gron, High Profile Angela Augustine, director of stores 2021 5 (6) EASY MOUNTAIN CANNABIS CO 7827 W Farm Road 174, Republic 65738 417-419-9004 • EasyMtn.com info@easymtn.com 20 20 Flower 1 1 Easy Mountain, Airo, Zen Cannabis, Wyld, Wana Andrew Beine, & Alex Paulson, co-owners 2019 6 (9) REVIVAL 98 DISPENSARY 2782 W Republic Road, Springfield 65807 417-771-5845 • Revival98.com info@revival98.com 9 25 4 Flower, vapes, gummies 1 1 Revival 98, Covert Extractions, Local Leaf, Clovr, Wana Grant Wistrom, owner & Jason Bach, general manager 2021 Ranked by the number of local employees. Local is defined as Springfield and its 50-mile radius. Springfield Business Journal relies on the individual businesses to be truthful and accurate in their representation of the information listed. To be considered for future lists, email lists@sbj.net. 1 Flora Farms LLC purchased Old Route 66 Wellness, ranked No. 2 last year, in 2023. 2In addition to its five dispensaries, Flora Farms LLC operates a cultivation facility in Humansville and a manufacturing facility in Springfield. 3The Farmer's Wife, ranked No. 5 last year, was sold in December 2023 and rebranded as High Profile Cannabis. 4Includes employees at the dispensary's manufacturing and cultivation facility in Butler, Missouri. Researched by: Karen Bliss © Copyright 2024 SBJ. All rights reserved. This material may not be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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