KFRU Business Spotlight -- February 21st & 22nd, 2026. This week, Paul Eisenstein, the director of the City of Columbia Office of Economic Development department and the President of Regional Economic Development, Inc brings us up-to-date on what's happening.  From working with businesses that may be looking to move their job producing activities here, to helping local businesses grow and expand here, to help in supporting entrepreneurs in developing ideas into new local businesses, the economic development help to grow the Columbia and Boone County economy.  Boone County is a growing county with somewhere around 2,000 new residents per year and that tends to support higher economic growth.

KFRU Business Spotlight -- February 21st &amp; 22nd, 2026. This week, Paul Eisenstein, the director of the City of Columbia Office of Economic Development department and the President of Regional Economic Development, Inc brings us up-to-date on what's happening.&nbsp; From working with businesses that may be looking to move their job producing activities here, to helping local businesses grow and expand here, to help in supporting entrepreneurs in developing ideas into new local businesses, the economic development help to grow the Columbia and Boone County economy.&nbsp; Boone County is a growing county with somewhere around 2,000 new residents per year and that tends to support higher economic growth.

Join Mark Mills each Sunday as we visit with business leaders across Missouri. We'll take a deep dive into the news and issues that are impacting Mid-Missouri's business community.  Listen live on KFRU every Sunday morning at 8 am.

Join Mark Mills each Sunday as we visit with business leaders across Missouri. We'll take a deep dive into the news and issues that are impacting Mid-Missouri's business community.  Listen live on KFRU every Sunday morning at 8 am.

KFRU Business Spotlight

Mark Mills speaks with local business leaders and keeps you connected to Columbia's vibrant business community.

Mark Mills speaks with local business leaders and keeps you connected to Columbia's vibrant business community.

The KFRU Business Spotlight

Paul Eisenstein.  Economic Development Director, City of Columbia. Regional Economic Development, Inc President. 

KFRU Business Spotlight -- February 14th & 15th, 2026.  Nick Foster, the 4th Ward City Councilman and Don Waterman, the 5th Ward City Councilman, joins me this week to talk electric transmission line construction.  The Columbia City Council met in a work session to hear a proposal from the Utilities Department to get a long paused project underway.  There are two routes being discussed, but the Water & Light Advisory board voted to support the Grindstone-Nifong-Vawter School Road version with a 5-0 vote.  That version is also the less expensive of the two. This is only the very beginning of the process which could take up to 10 years to complete once construction begins. 

KFRU Business Spotlight -- February 14th &amp; 15th, 2026.&nbsp; Nick Foster, the 4th Ward City Councilman and Don Waterman, the 5th Ward City Councilman, joins me this week to talk electric transmission line construction.&nbsp; The Columbia City Council met in a work session to hear a proposal from the Utilities Department to get a long paused project underway.&nbsp; There are two routes being discussed, but the Water &amp; Light Advisory board voted to support the Grindstone-Nifong-Vawter School Road version with a 5-0 vote.&nbsp; That version is also the less expensive of the two. This is only the very beginning of the process which could take up to 10 years to complete once construction begins.&nbsp;

Nick Foster, 4th Ward.  Don Waterman, 5th Ward.  Columbia City Council.  Transmission line construction.

KFRU Business Spotlight -- February 7th & 8th, 2026.  Columbia Fire Department Chief Brian Schaeffer joins us this week to talk about the latest at CFD.  Recently, a new recruit class of 13 graduated. Some moved on to their EMT training while the rest moved into their new assignments across the city.  Chief Schaeffer also explained a recent change in policy and procedure -- passed by the City council at their last meeting -- that aligns leadership responsibilities for emergency management to the Boone County Office of Emergency Management.  This move make the emergency management process more effective and efficient.

KFRU Business Spotlight -- February 7th &amp; 8th, 2026.&nbsp; Columbia Fire Department Chief Brian Schaeffer joins us this week to talk about the latest at CFD.&nbsp; Recently, a new recruit class of 13 graduated. Some moved on to their EMT training while the rest moved into their new assignments across the city.&nbsp; Chief Schaeffer also explained a recent change in policy and procedure -- passed by the City council at their last meeting -- that aligns leadership responsibilities for emergency management to the Boone County Office of Emergency Management.&nbsp; This move make the emergency management process more effective and efficient.

Brian Schaeffer, Fire Chief.  Columbia Fire Department.  New recruit class of 13.  City Council approves new policy to align with the Boone County Office of Emergency Management.  Station/apparatus update.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a7b0bd27-d748-4fbe-ab3b-a6fa0049bcf6/clips/851624fd-84d1-4a13-b006-b3e90155e750/transcript

KFRU Business Spotlight -- 1/31 & 2/1, 2026.  This week Chief Jill Schlude from the Columbia Police Department joins us to talk about numerous topics.  First, Jill tells us it's been an active start to 2026 with a gun fired inside Dick's Sporting Goods, a murder as a Facebook Marketplace deal went bad over a used cell phone, and other shots fired calls this past week. We also talk about the fact that suspects in these crimes have been arrested in fairly short order which is the positive part.  The use of the Flock camera technology has played a significant role in these investigations as well. We talk about the meeting with the Governor, her plans for the request for officers for the upcoming budget discussions and told us some facts about ICE/Border Patrol activity in Columbia following a question from a member of the City Council. 

KFRU Business Spotlight -- 1/31 &amp; 2/1, 2026.&nbsp; This week Chief Jill Schlude from the Columbia Police Department joins us to talk about numerous topics.&nbsp; First, Jill tells us it's been an active start to 2026 with a gun fired inside Dick's Sporting Goods, a murder as a Facebook Marketplace deal went bad over a used cell phone, and other shots fired calls this past week. We also talk about the fact that suspects in these crimes have been arrested in fairly short order which is the positive part.&nbsp; The use of the Flock camera technology has played a significant role in these investigations as well. We talk about the meeting with the Governor, her plans for the request for officers for the upcoming budget discussions and told us some facts about ICE/Border Patrol activity in Columbia following a question from a member of the City Council.&nbsp;

Jill Schlude, Police Chief.  Columbia Police Department. Active start to 2026. 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a7b0bd27-d748-4fbe-ab3b-a6fa0049bcf6/clips/c77f7bce-4207-4805-bddb-b3e20161ecb9/transcript

Paul Eisenstein. Economic Development Director, City of Columbia. Regional Economic Development, Inc President.

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