EXECUTIVE ORDER
21-06

WHEREAS, businesses are vital to communities, by providing jobs, services, and a stable tax base to fund critical public functions; and

WHEREAS, recent polls and data prove that businesses have experienced significant financial losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with disproportionate impacts to small businesses and minority-owned businesses, including those owned by women; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri has worked diligently since the beginning of the pandemic to allow businesses to remain open to the extent possible, to waive nearly 600 statutory and regulatory requirements in order to provide more flexibility while simultaneously safeguarding Missourians, to secure over $11 billion in Small Business Administration low-interest loans for small businesses, and to coordinate comprehensive statewide testing, vaccination efforts, and personal protective equipment delivery; and

WHEREAS, Missouri’s economy continues to show strong signs of recovery, with approximately 70 percent of jobs lost to COVID-19 being recovered, putting Missouri among the top tier of states for total economic recovery; and

WHEREAS, the State of Missouri must continue to prioritize economic recovery and support for small businesses for the benefit of all Missourians, especially those businesses that were forced to close due to no fault of their own; and

WHEREAS, Missourians and Missouri businesses are strong, resilient, and ready to get back to work; and

WHEREAS, the Hispanic Business, Trade and Culture Commission was created by Executive Order 05-43 in November 2005 and has been inactive since 2008.

NOW, THEREFORE I, MICHAEL PARSON, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby create and establish the Show Me Strong Recovery Task Force and rescind Executive Order 05-43.

The purpose of the Show Me Strong Recovery Task Force shall be to study and develop recommendations on ways to support small businesses, including minority-owned businesses, throughout the state. The Task Force shall also consider ways to better engage minority-owned businesses through existing economic development tools. The Task Force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor by December 31, 2021.

Task Force membership shall consist of the following members, to be appointed by the Governor:

  1. One member of the restaurant or hospitality industry;
  2. Three members of organizations that represent minority business owners;
  3. A designee from the Missouri Department of Economic Development;
  4. A designee from the Missouri Office of Equal Opportunity within the Missouri Department of Administration;
  5. A designee from the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations;
  6. A designee from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development;
  7. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Associated Industries of Missouri shall submit a list of three individuals each for the Governor to consider for membership on the Task Force. Individuals should represent geographical, ethnic, and gender diversity from across the state. The recommendations shall be submitted to the Office of the Governor within 30 days of this order; and
  8. Such other members as the Governor may appoint.

The Governor shall designate a chair and co-chair of the Task Force.

The Department of Economic Development shall provide staff support for the Task Force.

Members of the Task Force shall not receive compensation for their duties as members of the Task Force, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses associated with performing their duties, subject to the availability of funds.

The Task Force shall dissolve and this order will terminate as of December 31, 2021 unless reauthorized by subsequent Executive Order.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 22nd day of March, 2021.

[Michael L. Parson’s signature]
MICHAEL L. PARSON
GOVERNOR

ATTEST:

[Jay Ashcroft’s signature]
JOHN R. ASHCROFT
SECRETARY OF STATE

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