Almost one year ago, Governor Nixon assembled a group of business leaders from throughout the state to formulate a blue print of what it would take to jump start Missouri’s economy. Now that there’s a plan, the Governor says it’s time for action.
Nearly 600 Missourians worked on Governor Nixon’s Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth. A core group of business leades held meetings throughout the state to work up a five-year plan that will give Missouri’s economy a shot in the arm and create jobs.
“This report reflects the best ideas and insights of Missouri’s top business leaders,” Nixon says. “To be successful in the 21st Century, Missouri must compete relentlessly for jobs and economic development.”
Economic Development Director David Kerr says implementing the strategic initiative won’t be easy, but there is a sense of immediacy.
“Because we wanted as much input on this as humanly possible during this extensive process, we recognize that some of the suggestions we made may take months even years to implement, if we’re able to implement them at all,” Kerr says. “Some of those strategies and initiatives will take time, and that’s why it’s a five-year plan. But I can assure you that the department will work with the governor to begin implementing this report, especially those items that we can set in motion immediately.”
The plan advises the state to push forwarde in key areas including manufacturing, energy, biosciences, health, information technology, financial services and transportation and logistics.
The plan also urges the state to work with neighboring states to work on no-compete agreements, especially near Missouri’s metro areas on the borders — Springfield, Joplin, St. Louis and Kansas City.
In addition to information transportation and logistics, information technology, bioscience, and other key areas the growth plan pushes … Nixon says Missouri needs to invest in “Human capital.” He says we need to make sure we have a workforce that can compete with well-trained workers, and that comes down to education.
