
Best in Midwest is an initiative that is transforming Missouri's Department of Economic Development into the top economic development agency in the Midwest. The Best in Midwest initiative created a new statewide strategy for economic development, led by DED. The initiative focuses extensively on helping businesses grow and create jobs and helping workers access training and acquire skills to find employment. Addressing this need required DED to review its programs and structure, ensuring services are aligned with the business community’s needs.

The Department of Economic Development, the Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, and the Hawthorn Foundation launched an initiative that fundamentally reset Missouri’s approach to meeting our state’s workforce needs. This transformational project is the cornerstone of a comprehensive strategy that is positioning Missouri to excel in a global economy changed by trade, technology, and other dynamic forces. The final product included an assessment of our previous workforce and how well it matched our needs, deep dives into target economic sectors, economic scenario analysis, identification of pilot projects, and recommendations for an overall workforce strategy.
To learn more, visit the data and presentations archive .
PRIORITIES MOVING MISSOURI FORWARD
STRATEGY FRAMEWORK: WE WANT TO BE THE BEST.
INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN MISSOURI’S WORKFORCE
Becoming the Best Place to Live and Work
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Connecting All Missourians with Work
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INCREASING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF MISSOURI’S WORKFORCE
Developing a Labor Market that Works
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Working in a 21st Century Way
Building Infrastructure to Drive Economic Development
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COMPETING TO WIN
Working Together/Competing Together
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Creating a New Approach to Economic Development
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SOCIAL
blog & PodcastEpisode 1: The Time is Now
Check out the first installment of the MoTalent podcast and blog series. Hear real voices talk about economic and workforce development. Episode 2: How we got here
In our second episode, we begin by talking with a group of individuals responsible for attracting and retaining employers and talent to the state of Missouri. |