Here is an article from the Kansas City Star written by Kevin Collison. The article breaks down the economic development campaign implemented by Gov. Jay Nixon. The five-year campaign will focus on multiple industries for economic growth.
Missouri launches five-year campaign to nurture economic development
Gov. Jay Nixon laid out a five-year plan Monday to improve the Missouri economy that identifies biosciences and financial services as among the more promising areas.
The Missouri Strategic Initiative is a result of an 11-month effort that kicked off last May at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. More than 600 business, labor, education and economic development officials participated. The report identified seven target clusters:
- Advanced manufacturing.
- Energy solutions.
- Biosciences.
- Health sciences and services.
- Information technology.
- Financial and professional services.
- Transportation and logistics.
Nixon said much of the economic development agenda identified by the task force could be implemented quickly.
“We do not see this as a legislative economic plan,” he said. “We see this as a state economic development plan with the direct help of businesses and economic development professionals.”
Other highlights of the report included development of a science and technology innovation fund in Missouri to help finance promising initiatives, and a potential tuition-forgiveness program for qualified state high school seniors to attend Missouri colleges and universities. Although the governor said he backed proposed changes that would lower the amount available for a state historic tax-credit program, he did support new tax-credit programs for research and development, and so-called “angel” investment support for promising new companies.
