Missouri Readies for Shift to High-Tech
and Knowledge Economy Development

State leaders released a new economic plan yesterday, called “A Blueprint for Prosperity and Jobs.'' The study and planning effort aimed at finding out where Iowa was weak. Here are some of its major findings:

"Missouri's elementary students lag slightly behind national averages in several academic categories. Missouri also falls behind the national average in college enrollment, the report said, and Missouri college students pay 7 percent more than the national average when the states' cost-of-living is taken into account. The report says Missouri needs to spend more on higher education, particularly on research, and also maintain sound funding for elementary and secondary schools."

"Missouri ranked in the middle of the pack in terms of its “knowledge jobs'' and ranked last in job growth in 2000 and 2001. The report recommends Missouri cultivate businesses that focus on plant and life sciences, advanced manufacturing and information technologies. Missouri's mainstay businesses historically have included tourism, finance and banking, agriculture and traditional manufacturing. To strengthen those industries, the state must change criteria for granting financial incentives from the current “job creation'' approach to rewarding businesses for enhancing productivity and providing high-wage jobs."

"Missouri's rate of investment in research and development fell far below the national average. Beyond spending state money on research, the report suggests that state pension funds should invest a small portion of their money in venture and seed capital to help jump-start new Missouri companies. The report also suggests additional state tax credits targeted at research."

Missouri needs to do more to improve its infrastructure, which includes both its transportation and communications systems. Missouri lags the nation in the percentage of ZIP codes with broadband Internet providers, the report said. Missouri's roads and bridges have repeatedly been rated poor by national surveys."

To learn more, go here. More detailed information can be acquired from the state's website here.