Artificial intelligence continues to dominate headlines, often promising dramatic business transformations. But according to ZenBusiness, the reality for small business owners in 2026 is far more practical and far more useful. Rather than replacing entire workflows or overwhelming founders with complex systems, the most effective AI trends are focused on supporting the work small business owners are already doing every day. ZenBusiness emphasizes that AI works best when it reduces friction, saves time,
Park Hills, Missouri – The Park Hills - Leadington Chamber Foundation is now officially established as a public benefit nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the Park Hills and Leadington community through charitable, educational, and community-focused initiatives. Created as a charitable extension of the Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce, the Foundation was formed to provide a long-term framework for initiatives that support workforce development, leadership training, scholarships,
The City of Park Hills Utility Department will be completing a scheduled software upgrade from March 9 through March 11, 2026. During this time, the Utility Department will be unable to process payments in person or over the phone due to the system update. Payment Information During the Upgrade Cash and check payments will continue to be accepted at the Utility Office. Handwritten receipts will be provided if needed. Please note that payments made during this period will be posted to customer accounts
Carbon monoxide is often called the “silent killer” because it is colorless, odorless, and potentially deadly. To help families stay informed and protected, Shelter Insurance is sharing essential information on how to recognize the warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and steps homeowners can take to prevent it. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur when fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves, or generators are not working properly or are poorly ventilated. Early symptoms
You work hard to build your life, your goals, and your future. Unico Bank believes your banking experience should work just as hard for you. Unico Bank provides a range of personal banking solutions designed to fit each customer’s unique lifestyle. From everyday checking and savings accounts to convenient online tools, Unico Bank focuses on making banking simple, flexible, and stress-free. As a community-focused financial institution, Unico Bank takes pride in offering personalized service paired with
The University of Missouri Extension – St. Francois County is highlighting new data that underscores the powerful and growing role women play in Missouri’s economy, particularly in key service and health care sectors. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Non-employer Statistics program, most Missouri businesses with employees (76 percent) and nonemployer firms (58 percent) were operated by men in 2023. However, women continue to make significant economic contributions across the state. Women-owned
Running a small business often means juggling multiple responsibilities, and marketing can easily fall to the bottom of the to-do list. ZenBusiness is reminding entrepreneurs that effective marketing does not always require hours of time. In fact, several impactful tasks can be completed in 10 minutes or less. ZenBusiness recently shared five simple marketing actions business owners can tackle quickly to stay visible and competitive. These include reviewing last year’s revenue trends to spot patterns,
In an age where data security is more important than ever, Summit Shredding is helping businesses protect sensitive information with reliable, local service and no shortcuts. Summit Shredding specializes in secure, on-site document and hard drive destruction for businesses throughout the region, serving communities from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau. By bringing shredding services directly to clients, Summit Shredding ensures confidential materials are destroyed safely and efficiently without ever leaving
Well Accounted For Business Services Encourages Taxpayers to Choose Authorized, Secure Tax Preparers As tax season approaches, Well Accounted For Business Services is urging individuals and small business owners to take extra care when choosing who prepares their taxes and handles their personal financial information. While many people rely on referrals or long-standing habits, experience alone does not guarantee legitimacy. Authorized tax preparers are required to maintain professional credentials,
With more people planning travel well in advance, The UPS Store 7039 in Desloge is encouraging travelers to get a head start by taking care of an essential step now: passport photos. Whether planning an international vacation, a cruise, or future travel in 2026 and beyond, having a valid passport is key. The UPS Store 7039 provides convenient, professional passport photo services completed locally and designed to meet official U.S. passport requirements. By taking passport photos early, travelers can
The Southeast Economic Development Fund, Inc. is celebrating a year of meaningful impact in 2025, marked by strong support for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses throughout the region. Over the course of the year, the organization hosted 32 educational workshops, providing business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with practical tools, training, and guidance to strengthen their operations and plan for growth. These workshops served as a critical resource for individuals navigating the
New Era Bank is reminding customers to stay alert as fraudulent activity continues to increase across the banking industry. New Era Bank has confirmed that its systems have not been compromised, and its security controls and monitoring systems are operating as designed to detect and respond to potential threats. The bank remains vigilant and proactive in protecting customer information. Customers are reminded that New Era Bank will never request personal or account information through unsolicited phone
The Park Hills - Leadington Chamber has something big to celebrate. Chamber investor Baylee Jo's BBQ has been named a Top 5 Honoree in the Nation in the prestigious 2026 Awards of Excellence, presented by the National Barbecue & Grilling Association. Baylee Jo’s BBQ earned this national recognition after submitting two of its standout products, Cherry BBQ Sauce and Cherry Chipotle Glaze, to the highly competitive awards program. At this time, the company does not yet know which of the two products
Capital Railroad Contracting has once again earned national recognition for its unwavering commitment to workplace safety. The company was recently awarded the “Safe Contractor of the Year” honor by the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for the seventh consecutive year. This award is one of the highest safety recognitions in the railroad construction and maintenance industry. It is presented annually to companies that demonstrate exceptional safety performance, proactive
In 2026, American Heritage Abstract Co., Inc. will proudly celebrate 40 years in business, marking four decades of service to homeowners, lenders, real estate professionals, and communities across the region. Founded in 1986, American Heritage Abstract has built a reputation for reliability, accuracy, and professionalism in the title and abstract industry. For 38 of those 40 years, the company has operated from its longtime location on Lincoln Street, becoming a familiar and trusted presence in the
As the United States approaches its 250th year, Prairie Farms Dairy is reflecting on the values that have shaped the nation for generations, including community, service, and doing what is right. In honor of those values, Prairie Farms has announced a $250,000 donation to Folds of Honor, a national nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. This contribution will help fund life-changing
Homeowners considering energy upgrades are encouraged to take note. Ozark’s Modern Insulation & Leadbelt Stove and Fireplace is reminding residents that insulation upgrades and high-efficiency fireplace installations completed in 2025 may qualify for federal energy tax credits. Energy-efficient improvements such as updated insulation and qualifying fireplaces can help reduce energy consumption, improve home comfort, and lower utility costs. In addition to long-term savings, many of these upgrades may be
B104.3 Radio is making it easier than ever for listeners to stay connected with the music, personalities, and local updates they love through the free B104.3 mobile app. Designed for listeners on the go, the B104.3 app puts the Parkland’s Classic Hits right in your pocket. Whether at home, at work, or traveling out of town, listeners can tune in live, interact with on-air talent, and stay informed no matter where they are. One of the most popular features of the app is the ability to live chat with