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🌱 What autonomous railcars and a $16M grant mean for Columbia jobs

Columbia, Missouri Patch AM: a 4 min read

Hi there, Columbia! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What autonomous railcars and a $16M grant mean for Columbia jobs
  • How the $31 million McBaine upgrade changes your tap water
  • What a $420 million CPS bond could change at your child’s school

Also on today's calendar: Trunk-Or-Treat: MOSY x Central Missouri Humane Society and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What word begins with and E and ends with an E and has one letter in the middle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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☑️ Important voting information: The Nov. 3 general election is coming up. Official Missouri election resources: Find your polling place | Register to vote | Check your registration | Absentee, mail and early voting.

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 80 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 79, low: 58.
  • Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 79 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New grant brings autonomous railcars to Missouri (stlpr.org) — Columbia has secured a $16.2 million federal grant to bring autonomous freight railcars to the city’s 21-mile COLT railroad, in partnership with St. Louis tech firm Intramotev. Columbia Utilities says current COLT employees will be retrained rather than replaced, and the upgrades are expected to create construction jobs and new local opportunities over the next three years.
   

2. Dedication event showcases McBaine Water Treatment Plant upgrades (tncontentexchange.com) — Columbia’s main water treatment plant is back to full strength after a $31 million, two-year overhaul that restores peak capacity and upgrades filtration, testing, and safety systems. City leaders say the voter-approved project positions Columbia to handle future growth, with additional water infrastructure improvements already completed across town using the same 2018 bond funding.
   

3. CPS discusses 10-year bond question, says Hickman High School needs $79.5 million in renovations (abc17news.com) — Columbia Public Schools are weighing a new 10-year, $420 million bond plan that could go to voters as soon as April 2027, with Hickman High’s $79.5 million renovation topping the list. The proposal would fund critical repairs and upgrades at multiple Columbia schools, from HVAC and roofing to security and athletic facilities, shaping classrooms for the next decade.
   

4. Ameren plans to build ‘Katy' electric substation near Columbia (kbia.org) — A new Ameren Missouri “Katy” electric substation is planned just southwest of Columbia in Boone County to improve grid reliability and support future growth. If approved by state regulators, construction could begin early next year, helping reduce the scope of outages and prepare for rising electricity demand from large users like data centers.
   

📸 Around Columbia

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Columbia

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★ Featured events ★

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📣 Columbia Shout Outs!

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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Lost black male cat named Winkin, with long legs, short hair, slight white on neck and ear.
    Please Contact with any information: nancyr0210@hotmail.com (Nextdoor Creasy Springs/Proctor)
  • Columbia Parks and Recreation is hosting Trick or Treat for Little Gymmers & Little Swimmers, with two fun activities designed for young children!
    Get info: https://thingstodocolumbiamo.com/trick-or-treat-for-little-gymmers-little-swimmers/ (Nextdoor West Blvd - Stadium)
  • Healogics, Inc. posted a job opening for Patient Navigator- Medical Office Receptionist- Front Desk Coordinator in Columbia. Apply here.
  • MFA Oil Company posted a job opening for Production Associate in Columbia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Columbia here.

Ok Columbia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What word begins with and E and ends with an E and has one letter in the middle?" — Envelope (Thank you Mike C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Columbia

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Columbia

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.