With the pandemic and now the labor shortage, it's even more important to patronize small businesses.
So we were glad to see more than 40 businesses from around Missouri filling the third-floor Capitol Rotunda last week promoting Missouri-made products last Wednesday.
As we reported, the businesses represented a wide range of industries, from jams and candles to lump charcoal and vinyl siding for houses.
The event was part of Buy Missouri, a statewide initiative started by then Lt. Gov. Mike Parson in 2017. The initiative recognizes and promotes Missouri companies and manufacturers.
The Buy Missouri program represents more than 480 businesses that have signed up. They employ more than 15,300 Missourians, current Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe said.
"It's a simple concept, if we keep our dollars within our state borders, the ripple effect on our state's economy is that much better," Kehoe said.
Parson said the state economy depends on small businesses, including "mom-and-pop businesses."
"If you want your kids to stay in Missouri, if you want your grandkids to stay here, you've got to have jobs for them," he said. "And I would rather invest in all of you than a lot of the other investments this state makes for different things."
There are many quality Missouri- owned businesses with Missouri-made products -- far too many to list here.
But we would encourage you to explore our great state and find them. Give them a try, and you'll likely become a repeat customer and perhaps even refer them to your friends.
That keeps our discretionary spending in Missouri -- helping the individual businesses and our whole state.
News Tribune