A national business survey gave Missouri a "B" ranking in overall support for local businesses - an improvement in the state's ranking since 2012.
Thumbtack, a California-based company that helps small business owners grow their clientele, developed stats for 36 states based on data from nearly 18,000 businesses, according to the survey. In Missouri data was collected from 293 small businesses to determine how the state ranked in overall friendliness towards local businesses, ease in starting a business and ease of hiring new employees.
The purpose of the survey, Thumbtack Chief Economist Jon Lieber said, is to improve the conversation between small business owners and local governments.
"We think the views of small business owners are important. They are talented professionals who struggle on their own trying to build a client base while trying to understand government rules and regulations," Lieber said. "One of the things we've learned from the business owners is the struggle of running a business and being in compliance with government regulations. We want local governments to be friendlier to local businesses so the businesses can succeed."
The rest of the survey ranks the state based on how easy it is for small businesses to comply with government rules and regulations in regards to health and safety, taxes and licensing. The survey also uses the data to rank the state based on how helpful local governments are in supporting local businesses by providing training and networking opportunities- Missouri has ranked low in that regard since 2013.
However Lieber has noticed that the survey is making a difference for different states. Thumbtack holds meetings with state officials following the results of the survey to open up the discussion between the local government and local businesses. Some policies have already been changed because of that, Leiber said.
"Folks are definitely listening," he added.
Fulton, which has vacant buildings scattered throughout the Brick District, is working to improve local business presence in the downtown area and encourage other successful businesses in mid-Missouri to join the ranks.
The Brick District Association is trying to encourage shopping locally by hosting events like the "Brick Blast" and "Autumn on the Bricks." In addition to this the group plans to revive the old Fulton theater by creating the District Playhouse, which like the Art House, will give the community things to do, Association President Tom Riley previously told the Fulton Sun.
The vision is to see an assortment of restaurants, attractions, businesses and eclectic retail shops available to Fulton residents, which Riley hopes will also draw in additional tourism. Mayor LeRoy Benton has also become involved by creating a task force to encourage the growth of Brick District businesses.
This kind of relationship is what Lieber and Thumbtack is trying to encourage and by doing so hopes to encourage local communities to become involved.
"The ability to work for yourself is really empowering for people," Lieber said. "It's an inoculant against downturns in the economy and a way for people to realize their dreams. We think limiting policy hurdles are really driving entrepreneurship and encouraging people to go out and work for themselves."