College is a time when many students move away from home, grow as individuals, learn independence, find new friends and build networks. COVID-19 has limited many of those opportunities. Forrest Roudebush (pictured center with dog), is our outstanding 2019-2020 Southtown Council intern and a rising senior at Rockhurst University majoring in Economics and Public Policy. He is like many college students who never imagined online courses, working from home, and living at home during his junior year of college. Enjoy his reflections on serving at Southtown this year, how he's coping with all the changes , and how he is optimistic about changes he and others at Rockhurst University can make this year in spite of COVID-19. Click below to learn more about Forrest and his story.

Southtown Council member, Innovest Financial Partners, Inc. announced today it will spend $10,000 in the local economy, focusing on restaurants and small businesses, to help those companies recover from the effects of COVID-19. The plan involves purchasing gift cards from those businesses. Clients were contacted to learn which restaurant they would choose to have lunch with Innovest Financial Advisors team members when government Stay at Home orders are lifted. The support and interest in the plan confirmed this approach was a good idea.

Is the COVID-19 Disaster Assistance SBA Loan right for your business? Join us online Wednesday, April 1st from 11 to noon to learn whether the COVID-19 Disaster Assistance SBA Loan is a good fit for you. COVID-19 is putting many of our local small businesses at risk, so we've reached out to the Missouri’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to schedule an in-depth review of SBA's Disaster Loan assistance program and how the newly approved CARES Act impacts considerations.

Temporarily closing your business or organization can create some unexpected issues if not thought through carefully. Planning for what you need while you are away (particularly if you will continue some operations from another location), and how you will care for assets and inventory you left behind is crucial. Click below for some tips and considerations to help make your planning and preparation easier.

Increasing brand exposure and driving traffic to your website is a common goal for businesses and organizations. Standing out with high traffic content helps keep your customers and members engaged and can help you reach a broader audience. Learn why businesses, marketers and professionals are turning to "evergreen content" to help. Evergreen content is the perfect way to keep always topical content on your website for visitors to see and can improve website targeting and search engine optimization (SEO). Click below to learn more.

It saddens us to announce that the 2020 Southtown Showcase is being POSTPONED. With the City's ban on gatherings of 50 people or more, we can't hold the event as originally scheduled. While disappointed to make this decision, we understand that safety comes first and the decision is in the best interest of everyone involved. We know the beloved event is a favorite each year, and so many will miss the opportunity to get together and enjoy outstanding food and drinks. For that reason we're hopeful to regroup for a great Showcase later this year when it's safe to be together again.