Missouri releases its "Blueprint" Saturday, March 22, 2003 Last week, Missouri's Department for Economic Development posted the state's new "Blueprint for Prosperity and Jobs''. Governor Holden released the report earlier in the month. Developing the "Blueprint" started with Governor Holden's Economic Prosperity Summit in April 2001. The report tries to move Missouri's economic development efforts away from traditional recrtuitment efforts..."[W]hat's tried and true today may not be successful in the world of tomorrow." The report bluntly concludes, "Missouri is not equipped to compete effectively in a global economy." The report is short on specifics, but it does include some valuable insights. It says that Missouri's economic development programs have grown to become too unfocused and diluted: "[T]he 'tried and true' programs have been supplemented -- but not replaced -- with new efforts." In addition, the competitive climate has changed, so an incentive-driven economic development policy is no longer adequate. "Business success is not a factor of low costs...anymore -- it is about increasing productivity.." The report redirects the discussion about economic development in Missouri, but it does not include any action plan to translate this new direction into specific policies. Download a copy. posted by Ed Morrison |		This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. links Some Background on EDPro Weblog The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it. One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information. So, spread the word...Share the knowledge. Tell a friend about EDPro Weblog. If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site: Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber: Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking. Background on Ed Morrison Download some background information on me here.

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