2. We’ve heard some hard truths today.
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3. The Hard Truths What are we missing?
There is natural tension between our rural, urban, and suburban communities, and between communities within each of those categories
Our infrastructure is inadequate for today’s economy, squandering our geographic advantage
Our top sectors are not outpacing our peers
We have exceptionally high secondary graduation rates but lag in post-secondary degree or credential attainment
Our graduates and our workforce are not ready for the economy
What are we missing?
Leave No Missourian Behind: Whatever our strategy, it has to benefit all Missourians. Rural, suburban, urban. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian. Everyone. Everywhere. We all have to benefit.
Status Quo: Lot’s of times in policy analysis, we keep the status quo as an option to weigh against. Let’s not do that here. The status quo is not working, as we’ll see later today. We shouldn’t even consider keeping the status quo.
A good job is a good job: We shouldn’t try to define what makes a “quality” job. Everyone has different goals, and our goal should be to help encourage growth so our citizens can reach their goals.
Education – We’re going to talk about a lot different ideas on how best to transform our workforce and talent goals, but let’s just agree on this basic fact.
Infrastructure – Roads, bridges, ports, dams, airports, broadband – we have to think about it all. Infrastructure is literally what our economy is built on.
Fortune – We’re talking about change, maybe significant and fundamental change. We have to be brave and we have to be bold.
Now or Never – The time for handwringing and hoping for it is over. The time for change is now. We just saw the global trends that are shaping the world, and in a while, we’ll hear more about Missouri. Here’s a hint: the trajectory we’re on isn’t great. It’s going to keep heading in the wrong direction if we don’t act now.
Economic Development – this issue and our state’s needs are not just about managing individual projects. It’s not about state agencies and it’s not about tactics. Our organizations, our communities etc…let’s stop thinking about economic development as an activity, but as a way of life – for all of us.
What are we missing - – we’ll ask you later today for other Universal Laws (Maggie, this could be a word cloud in this session?)
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4. We’ll need to stick to some basic values as we work through these challenges.
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5. Missouri Way What are we missing? Status quo is not an option
Now or never
Leave no Missourian behind
Education changes lives
Infrastructure is the foundation
Economic development is a team sport
Fortune favors the brave
What are we missing?
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6. Initial Reactions

7. What’s the one thing you want the world to know about Missouri
What’s the one thing you want the world to know about Missouri? Answer by sending a text to