AGP Executive Report

Manufacturing & Jobs: Western Smokehouse Partners won New Markets Tax Credits to expand its Mexico, Missouri plant, planning a 300,000-square-foot renovation and 10 new production lines that the company says will double output and create 377 jobs. Water Infrastructure: Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources awarded Maryville $52.5 million for a new surface water treatment plant, including a $2.5 million grant and $50 million loan through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, with completion targeted for July 2028. Healthcare Costs & Compliance: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals nationwide, including several in Arkansas, to post transparent pricing or face penalties up to $2 million annually. Home Care Financing: PRN Funding expanded home care invoice factoring into Ohio, Minnesota, Florida and Missouri, aiming to help agencies cover payroll and staffing faster when claims take time to pay. Supply Chain & Logistics: FreightWeekSTL highlighted how tariff swings and geopolitical risk are pushing companies toward more regional, flexible sourcing and tools like Foreign Trade Zones. Local Business Growth: IntegrateIT opened a larger Overland Park smart home showroom to let Kansas City-area homeowners test integrated systems in person. Energy & Industry: A report on Missouri data center regulation notes local moratoriums and failed state efforts as hyperscale growth outpaces oversight.

Infrastructure & Energy: Northwest Missouri State University is entering the final phase of a roughly $105M campus modernization, including HVAC upgrades and switching from a centralized steam plant to a decentralized hot-water system, with more temporary closures expected. Grid Reliability: Ameren is seeking public input on a 130-mile Eastern Missouri Grid Transformation Project aimed at replacing aging transmission infrastructure, with work targeted to start in summer 2028 and finish by 2032. Construction/Materials: Breedon is paying $120M for Missouri’s Falling Springs Quarry to expand U.S. aggregates operations near St. Louis. Data Centers & Water: Reports say an Amazon Web Services data center near New Florence could rely on wells drilled 1,500 feet down, using about 50M gallons a year—fueling fresh Missouri water-use concerns. Local Governance: Maryville City Council discussed motor scooters, a proposed data center, and boat-docking rules, while Jefferson County accepted a $50,000 MoDOT grant to study an airport site. Public Safety: Missouri AG Catherine Hanaway launched a World Cup-focused human trafficking campaign with billboards and the Simply Report app.

Food & Agriculture Costs: USDA’s May milk price benchmarks ticked up—Class III at $16.92/cwt (highest since Nov. 2025) and Class IV at $22.32—while cheese output rose modestly, signaling gradual rebound but still below year-ago levels. Livestock Health & Supply Chain: Texas activated an “escalated response” to the New World screwworm after new detections, warning of potential livestock and beef-price ripple effects if the pest spreads. Meat Industry & Consumer Impact: Shoppers have until June 30 to file claims in an $87.5 million beef price-fixing settlement tied to allegations involving major meatpackers including Tyson, JBS, Cargill and National Beef. Missouri Business Leadership: Tyson Foods named veteran Wes Morris as COO, effective June 15, as the company continues operational performance push across major protein segments. Logistics & Investment: FreightWeekSTL 2026 opened with a venture-focused session on funding supply-chain innovation, highlighting St. Louis-area momentum in logistics tech. Local Missouri Governance: Ava aldermen’s agenda includes ordinances on a municipal police shooting range and a temporary moratorium on data center approvals. Energy & Infrastructure: EPA approved a $40 million WIFIA loan for South Sioux City wastewater upgrades, aimed at boosting capacity and reliability. Transportation & Construction: Missouri DOT roadwork planning continues for the week of June 8, with ongoing bridge and roadway projects across the region. Retail Fuel Watch: Diesel pricing dipped in New Madrid County to $5.09/gallon for the week ending May 30, reflecting broader cooling in gas prices.

Cloud & Data Centers: Lightedge says it will start selling IBM Power Virtual Server (PowerVS) to IBM i customers, signaling more competition in the managed IBM i cloud market. Local Governance & Infrastructure: Kirkwood is asking MoDOT to lower the speed limit on Manchester Road from 35 mph to 30 mph to improve safety near North Kirkwood Middle School; Columbia’s North Village Park project is also moving ahead with ADA sidewalks, accessible parking, and sensory-friendly play. Public Works & Logistics: MoDOT outlined northern Missouri roadwork and closures, while Route FF in Platte County is shut until Nov. 1 for drainage and resurfacing tied to a corridor upgrade. Business & Jobs: Missouri’s Healthy SNAP launch has been delayed to February 2027 (and later extended to 2027), and Moberly is raising water and sewer rates starting July 1 as utility costs climb. Enforcement & Consumer Protection: Missouri AG charged a Greene County builder with 26 felony counts tied to alleged home-construction fraud. Security & Major Events: A mass shooting near England’s Kansas City World Cup base camp left nine injured, though authorities say it wasn’t connected to tournament venues. Energy & Costs: Gas prices continue to cool in Missouri-area reporting, with midgrade lows noted in Douglas County.

AI Policy: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met Sen. Bernie Sanders after Sanders floated a plan for the public to take a major equity stake in AI firms, with Altman saying he can’t back the 50% threshold but wants to work on the idea; Trump also signaled executives could visit the White House to discuss “public” benefits from AI. Missouri Utilities: Moberly approved a 3% July 1 water and sewer rate hike and added card processing fees, while Missouri’s Hot Weather Law (through Sept. 30) blocks utility shutoffs during extreme-heat forecasts. Data Centers & Water: Google says it will replenish more water than it uses at U.S. data centers by 2030, expanding “water stewardship” amid local concerns. Transportation Planning: MoDOT’s commission approved a long-range transportation plan guiding needs through 2050, with projects still handled via the five-year improvement program. Local Government & Infrastructure: Kirksville City Council meets June 8, including public-safety radio upgrades and pool work contracts. Agriculture Costs: Missouri corn growers warn fertilizer and diesel costs are squeezing margins as fertilizer competition and supply remain problematic. Business Snapshot: Nine Missouri firms made the Fortune 500, led by Centene at No. 19.

Utilities & Cost Relief: Sioux Center Municipal Utilities is weighing a 7% electric rate increase starting late July, citing higher wholesale power costs, inflation, and reliability upgrades, including local generation work. Energy & Agriculture: Missouri activated its New World Screwworm response plan after USDA confirmed the pest in a Texas calf, with new rules for animal movement into the state. Data Centers & Water Use: New details on Amazon’s proposed “Project Green” in New Florence show deep wells (about 1,500 feet) and an estimated 50 million gallons of water a year, sparking local and statewide debate over resource impacts. State Policy: Missouri’s Hot Weather Law is in effect through Sept. 30, limiting utility shutoffs during extreme heat forecasts while still requiring customers to pay bills. Local Government: Jefferson County mayors are urging Gov. Mike Kehoe to veto parts of HB 2818 that would tighten annexation rules. Transportation: MoDOT plans resurfacing work that will close the U.S. 63 exit to Renz Farm Road next week, with one-lane traffic and flaggers during construction. Community & Business: Southwest Missouri Bank announced its seventh year of Corley Trust grants, distributing $270,276 to 72 nonprofits. Workforce & Education: Mizzou released its spring 2026 dean’s list, with 12,207 undergraduates earning honors.

Data Centers & Water Use: Amazon’s “Project Green” in New Florence is drawing fresh scrutiny after reports say it would tap deep wells 1,500 feet down and use about 50 million gallons of water a year, with locals raising concerns even if the plan is designed to avoid private wells. Livestock Health: Missouri activated its New World Screwworm response plan after USDA confirmed the pest in a 3-week-old calf in Texas—its first U.S. detection since 2023—prompting new movement rules and a statewide working group. Local Governance & Growth: Jefferson County mayors and officials are urging Gov. Mike Kehoe to veto parts of House Bill 2818 that would tighten annexation rules, arguing it limits local control over development. Public Safety Funding: A coalition opposing Boone County’s proposed new jail is pushing back on Proposition L, questioning the final cost and how mental health needs would be handled. Agribusiness Leadership: Gov. Kehoe appointed Drew Lock of La Plata to the State Soil and Water Districts Commission. Health & Consumer Protection: Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman agreed to immediately suspend Missouri sales of kratom and 7-OH after a state AG lawsuit. Community & Commerce: Overland Park’s new Clock Tower Landing Farmers Market opened to big crowds, adding a winter season and expanded gathering space.

Data Center Pushback in Missouri: A Missouri-focused debate over AI-driven data centers is heating up as residents and local officials raise concerns about energy use, water impacts, and quality-of-life—while critics say regulators haven’t filled the gap with clear rules. Kansas City Stadium Vote Fight: Missouri Workers Power says it collected enough signatures to force a citywide vote on $600M in Royals stadium incentives, but the mayor says construction could start before any vote is scheduled. Healthy SNAP Delay: Missouri is extending the Healthy SNAP rollout to Feb. 15, 2027, giving DSS more time to work with grocers and agriculture partners on the “healthier foods” waiver. Energy Costs Watch: New EIA-based mapping shows Missouri residential electricity prices up about 11.9% year over year, with grid investment and demand pressures tied to broader load growth. Agriculture & Livestock: Missouri is preparing for New World screwworm response planning after USDA confirmed a case in Texas, while MU Extension is gearing up for sheep and goat field days and 4-H leadership events. Infrastructure & Public Works: MoDOT plans resurfacing on Outer Road 63/54 in Callaway County during the week of June 8, with lane closures and flaggers.

Data Center Fight in Missouri: A Missouri bill to regulate data centers failed to reach a vote, while local battles keep escalating—St. Charles’ moratorium, Festus recall efforts, and Independence reversing council support for tax breaks show how fast tech is outpacing policy. Google Water Commitments: Google says it will replenish more water than it uses by 2030 and invest $17M in water stewardship, including projects with Ducks Unlimited and Iowa partners. Construction & Jobs: EquipmentShare, based in Columbia, will present at Wells Fargo’s Industrials & Materials conference, highlighting connected jobsite tech as the construction sector keeps moving. Kansas City Royals Stadium Ballot Push: Missouri Workers Power says it gathered 4,500+ signatures to force a public vote on $600M in city-backed Royals stadium funding. Livestock Health: Missouri activated steps to detect and contain New World screwworm if it spreads from south Texas. Transportation & Safety: MoDOT is set to break ground on a $19M West Alton intersection project with J-turns, and Missouri road-safety groups are taking nominations for 2026 awards.

Health Policy: Missouri lawmakers are moving to block insurers from imposing time limits on anesthesia coverage, after an Anthem proposal sparked backlash. Power & Growth: Columbia is working through a months-long process to finalize a new $34 million transmission line, aiming for council action in November after public input. Water & Drought: The Missouri River basin remains dry, with the Army Corps warning reduced runoff forecasts after a winter with little snow. Natural Resources: North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission received a dam construction permit from the state, clearing the way for the Roy Blunt Reservoir Dam project. Business & Energy: Yesway says inside merchandise sales rose 4.5% year over year in Q1 2026 even as fuel prices climbed. Local Economy & Infrastructure: MoDOT selected a contractor for a major $471 million I-44 freight corridor upgrade. Agriculture: Heavy southeast Missouri rain is stunting watermelon growth and could push harvest nearly two weeks. Public Safety: A Missouri man was arrested in Texas after deputies seized suspected cocaine worth $80,000. Community & Workforce: Governor Kehoe named five people to state boards and commissions, spanning agriculture, elections, law, workforce development, and utilities.

Data Centers & Power: Google and Intersect broke ground on a 1+ GW co-located data center and generation complex in Texas, pairing wind/solar/storage with on-site gas for reliability—another sign Missouri-area grid planning will keep getting pulled into the AI buildout. Broadband Policy: A new push around BEAD urges Missouri lawmakers to keep state broadband offices funded and empowered through the full buildout, including avoiding premature “sunset” shutdowns. Transportation & Construction: MoDOT says major I-55 work is shifting to the Pevely area, with southbound ramp closures and bridge/roundabout changes starting in mid-June. Public Safety & Infrastructure: A Missouri contractor faces 26 felony counts tied to alleged homeowner construction fraud, while Missouri’s AG also secured an agreement to halt kratom/7-OH sales statewide. Energy & Community: Ameren Missouri donated 950 ENERGY STAR air conditioners to Cool Down St. Louis, and Scopus Solar awarded $10,000 in local grants in Bollinger County. Water Conditions: Missouri River runoff remains below average, with dry soils and low snowpack driving reduced forecasts for summer and fall.

HIV Testing in Missouri Communities: U.S. researchers including UMKC’s Jannette Berkley-Patton and UMass Amherst’s Kathryn Derose report a church-based outreach model that boosted HIV testing odds 47% per added intervention touchpoint, targeting African American communities. Robotics & Talent Pipeline: VEX Robotics World Championships in St. Louis highlighted student engineering talent, with a UK team earning a top finish after 1,000+ hours of build-and-program work. Food Safety Transparency: A publisher’s platform piece revisits the FDA’s handling of the 2024 romaine E. coli outbreak, arguing key grower/processor details were withheld. Water & Wastewater Infrastructure: Missouri DNR awarded $50,000 Clean Water Engineering Report grants to Greentop and Auxvasse to assess wastewater upgrades; Eldon also moved to permanent disinfection planning after repeat E. coli positives. Energy & Construction: Ameren broke ground on the $900M Big Hollow gas plant plus lithium-ion storage; MoDOT selected a contractor for a major I-44 improvement project and the state commission approved Southeast District road contracts. Data Centers vs. Local Impact: A proposed $6B data center near Maryville drew questions about water use and the unknown end user; in Kansas City’s Northland, an AI data center withdrew its Port KC bond application amid community opposition. Consumer & Business Risk: Missouri AG Hanaway filed felony charges against a contractor accused of $330,000 in construction fraud; Missouri retailers may face proposed cash rounding rules under a bill backed by grocers. Agriculture Watch: Rural Mainstreet sentiment slipped below growth-neutral as farm income pressure and input costs weigh on rural banks.

College Sports Policy: Nick Saban and other athletic leaders urged Congress to pass the Protect College Sports Act, warning the NIL and transfer-portal era is driving more lawsuits and pushing college sports toward a pro-style model. Local Business & Tourism: Kansas City bars in select districts can apply for World Cup extended-hours permits through June 8, with late service running June 11–July 19. Real Estate Tech & MLS: St. Louis-based MARIS is waiving MLS application fees through June 30 and subscription fees through Nov. 30 for new Realtor subscribers, with a Paragon switch planned later in 2026. Agriculture & Costs: Missouri ag economists point to global competition squeezing farm profit margins, while diesel prices tied to Middle East turmoil are adding fresh pressure on already tight budgets. Public Works: Two roundabouts opened on Cookingham Drive near I-29, with lane closures expected for lighting work after the World Cup. Health & Research: U. Missouri researchers reported a potential way to protect pancreatic islet transplants without broad immunosuppressive drugs, using immune-regulating molecules.

Rural Power Boost: USDA Rural Development is backing Missouri electric infrastructure with major federal loans, including $213M for Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative transmission work and $28.7M for Ralls County Electric Cooperative line upgrades plus smart grid tech. Local Health & Construction: Hannibal City Council approved nearly $2M to demolish the former St. Elizabeth Hospital, with hazardous-material removal and engineering lined up as the site’s future use remains open. College Sports Policy: Big Ten and SEC leaders pushed back on the Protect College Sports Act, saying it doesn’t fix the patchwork of state NIL rules and could increase litigation. College Athletics NIL/Transfer Rules: Senators Cruz and Cantwell unveiled a new college sports compensation framework, aiming to “restore order” amid NIL and transfer portal chaos. Water Costs in St. Louis: The St. Louis Water Division is nearing a budget shortfall and is seeking customer rate increases starting July 1 as aging infrastructure drives record main breaks. Agriculture Education: Jarred Sayre is spotlighted for shaping rural Missouri students through agriculture instruction tied to his family cattle operation. Farm Supply Chain: A proposed class action in federal court targets fertilizer giants over alleged price-fixing and supply limits, naming major NPK producers. AI Data Center Fight: Independence residents are pressing for a data center moratorium tied to the Nebius AI hyperscale project, after a court ruling blocked a referendum. Public Works: MoDOT will remove overhead flashing lights at two Alton intersections June 3, shifting traffic to one lane during work. Food Safety: FDA and CDC reopened a salmonella probe into imported moringa supplements after additional illnesses, expanding the recall list. Business Growth: Yesway reported strong Q1 results after going public, citing higher fuel margins and plans to add stores.

World Cup Economy & Hospitality: States including Missouri have approved extending bar and restaurant hours for the World Cup, with some Kansas City venues able to stay open until 5 a.m., giving struggling operators a late-night sales boost. Missouri Infrastructure: MoDOT says the Cole County Route AA bridge over South Moreau Creek will close next week for deck replacement, with a late-August reopening target; MoDOT also is taking public input on the Moniteau County Route T bridge rehab over Burris Fork Creek. Agriculture & Weather Risk: University of Missouri Extension research highlights how extreme rainfall and flooding can stress crops by cutting oxygen to roots, driving nitrogen loss on claypan soils, and lowering yields as flood days add up. Missouri Ag Policy: Missouri legislative wins include renewed ag tax credits for five years, permitting reform to reduce extra state permitting for common practices, and funding priorities like foreign farmland monitoring and large-animal vet loan programs. Rural Power Investments: USDA Rural Development reports more than $1.8B in Missouri electric infrastructure investments, including major loans tied to new generation and upgrades. Workforce & Training: Great Jobs KC expands into Nodaway County with a $3.8M grant for tuition-free skills training in healthcare, manufacturing, construction and CDL. Energy Costs Watch: Diesel prices fell for a third straight week, dropping about 17 cents per gallon in the latest EIA report.

AI & Workforce: Missouri leaders met at Mizzou Engineering to map “AI-Ready Missouri” priorities, aiming to help businesses, governments and nonprofits adopt AI responsibly. Agriculture & Energy: Riegel Dairy in Franklin County is installing a co-digestion system to turn manure and other organic waste into energy and biochar, positioning the farm as a net energy producer. Public Health & Environment: Residents near a Kansas landfill tied to the 2011 Joplin tornado complain of hydrogen sulfide odors and a smoldering fire, raising concerns about safety and property values. Manufacturing Economy: Creighton’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index stayed above growth neutral but showed weaker hiring, with Missouri at the low end of the region’s readings. Labor & Supply Chain: A UAW strike at American Axle/Dauch in Three Rivers threatens to slow GM pickup production, with Missouri-bound truck components in the mix. Housing & Infrastructure: A Sullivan County bridge replacement was delayed to June 29, while Smithville tenants reported damage after a landslide at Fairview Crossing townhomes. Hospitality & Local Economy: Missouri joined other states approving extended bar hours for the World Cup, giving restaurants and bars a late-night sales boost.