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Missouri Launches “Best In Midwest” Initiative

  • April 27, 2018

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) has launched an initiative to become the top economic development agency in the Midwest. The “Best in Midwest” initiative will create a new statewide strategy for economic development, led by DED.

“Missouri has the potential to be an economic powerhouse,” said Missouri Governor Eric Greitens. “It’s time we realized that potential, and we’re going to do it by transforming the Missouri Department of Economic Development into a laser-focused national leader in economic development. Missourians deserve the best, and that’s what we’re going to give them.”

The initiative will focus extensively on helping businesses grow and create jobs and helping workers access training and acquire skills to find employment. Starting immediately, DED, with the help of professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers Public Sector LLP, will conduct a complete top-to-bottom review of Missouri’s economic development strategy.

“This is a pivotal time for our state and our nation. The economy has fundamentally changed. There are new opportunities ahead, but we have to rethink our strategy to take advantage of them,” said Rob Dixon, director of Missouri’s DED. “How we approach economic development over the next generation will mean the difference between a thriving and successful Missouri, and one that is not.”

Over the course of this year, DED will conduct an economic analysis to identify Missouri’s opportunities for growth and job creation, study best practices in economic development from around the country, and issue recommendations on how the State can implement the new strategy.

For more information on Missouri’s “Best in Midwest” initiative visit ded.mo.gov/BestinMidwest.

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